A week ago, 5 1/2 games separated the top 13 teams in the AFC. This week, nothing has changed.
"This is the NFL," says Colts DE Chad Bratzke. "The races should be tight." Adds Jets head coach Herman Edwards: "That's what's great about this time of year."
In the NFC, the Packers and Niners -- who play each other Sunday at San Francisco -- have clinched the North and West, respectively.
The Eagles can wrap up the East with a victory or a Giants loss or tie.
The South, which has more victories (32) than any other division, also hinges on the Giants' game. If New York loses to Dallas (or ties), the Buccaneers, Saints and Falcons all clinch playoff berths -- if all three win their games.
Here's where the AFC stands:
North: Tim Couch's "Hail Mary" last week moved the Browns a half-game behind the first-place Steelers.
South: The Titans and Colts are tied, with Tennessee holding the head-to-head tiebreaker.
East: A tie at the top between the Dolphins and Patriots. The Jets are one game back, while the Bills are two behind.
West: The Raiders can clinch this week, but they need help. Oakland is in with a win and a tie from the Broncos, or a Raiders win coupled with a Denver loss and a Chargers loss or tie.
"If you can't get excited about December, then you have a problem," says Saints head coach Jim Haslett.
While Oakland is 3-0 vs. the AFC East this season, Miami has won its past four vs. the Raiders, and 14-1 vs. the AFC West in the past 15 meetings. Oakland's Rich Gannon (4,205 yards) is on pace to throw for 5,175 yards, which would eclipse Dan Marino's all-time mark 5,084 in 1984).
Green Bay's Brett Favre is 33-10 as a starter in December. The Packers' Bubba Franks leads NFC TEs with six TD catches. San Francisco's Jeff Garcia needs 84 yards passing for his third consecutive 3,000-yard passing season (Joe Montana and Steve Young are the only 49ers QBs to accomplish that feat).
New England has won its past five December games. Troy Brown needs one catch to be the first Patriots player with 80 receptions in three consecutive seasons. Tennessee has won seven of its past eight games, and the Titans are 10-3 in their past 13 home games on Monday Night Football.
4
Positions played by the 49ers' Julian Peterson last week against Dallas: linebacker, defensive end, cornerback and safety.
47
Consecutive games the Jaguars have not allowed an opponent 10-plus catches, the longest streak in the NFL.
493
Career catches for the Cardinals' Frank Sanders, who needs seven to become the third player in franchise history with 500.
Point taken
NFL games are averaging 43.9 points per game through 14 weeks, the highest rate in 35 years (43.9 through 14 weeks in 1967). The all-time record for average points per game in a season came in 1948: 46.5. Kansas City (419) averages the most, 29.9; Houston (181) averages the least, 12.9.
Phone a friend
The 1998 and '99 No. 1 overall draft choices meet for the first time in the NFL -- Colts QB Peyton Manning and the Browns' Tim Couch. There was a "Peyton Hotline" between the two in Couch's first year as Manning frequently called the rookie advising him on what to expect in the pros.
Must-see TV?
Lost in all the promos for Saturday night's premiere of The Junction Boys is Sunday night's even less anticipated (if that's possible) Arizona-St. Louis clash on ESPN. What, there was no bull riding? Or bowling? Or synchonized swimming? ... How about a SportsCentury on Al Woodall?
CNNSI.com's Joseph Leavitt notes that this late in the season, most fantasy football owners are either eliminated from, involved in, or about to enter the playoffs. Even at this late juncture, a timely trade can make the difference during a particular playoff matchup. For more insider info, check out this week's Trading Places.
Drafted No. 14 overall in 2002, Shockey was the go-to receiver for the Miami Hurricanes during their 2001 national championship season. He was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, recognizing the best tight end in college football.
Shockey was a first-team All-American selection by CNNSI.com, and was a first-team All-Big East Conference pick by the league's coaches. He led the Hurricanes with a career-high 40 receptions for 519 yards and seven touchdowns, catching at least one pass in every game.
An imposing physical speciment at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, Shockey tested 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, had a 30-inch vertical jump and bench pressed 370 pounds.
Shockey's five-catch, 89-yard performance last week at Washington earned him a nomination for the NFL Rookie of the Week award. He is second on the Giants with 54 receptions, and set career highs with 11 catches for 111 yards Nov. 17 against the Redskins.
Last week's topic: Which team is most likely to fade down the stretch?
Eagles. Sure, their backup quarterbacks have come up big since McNabb went down, but I don't see them being able to play at a playoff intensity. Drew -- Madison, Wis.
At this point, any teams that were going to fade have already started. The Broncos, Bills and Steelers have started to lose their touch. Deuce -- Denver
Falcons. You need more than just Vick running, you need that go to receivers. Don't believe me? Then why didn't the Eagles win the Super Bowl with just McNabb? Now, they got Freeman and they are all stepping up. Say goodbye to those "other" birds in town. Luke -- Philadelphia
Those moronic, idiotic, teasing, tortuous, God-I-gotta-find-another-team Dolphins. Ryan -- Boise, Idaho
Titans. They have won some close games they shouldn't have that put them in the race. And "Air" McNair is about to fall apart. I didn't even talk about Eddie George because he's nowhere near the player he once was. Matt -- Manassas, Va.
Bucs. They have two tough games with Pittsburgh and at Chicago, where it should be pretty cold. They just can't win in the cold. Tom -- Toms River, N.J.
With a depleated offensive line and injuries to other key players, the Packers are hurting. Favre can't do it all. Mike -- Green Bay
Giants. I have never seem this team in such turmoil. They have many great players, but can't seem to average more than 10-14 points/game. The defense has saved them so many times in the past, but not this year. This team needs a complete revamping, starting with the head coach and quarterback! Michael -- Watertown, N.Y.
Raiders. I mean, how long can their Geritol last? Cliff -- Southbridge, Mass.
Chargers. Everybody else in playoff contention has been there before, and knows what it takes. The Chargers don't. Ross -- Sacramento, Calif.
Dolphins. 1) It's December. And 2) old habits are hard to break. Alton -- Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Bengals. They've been playing way over their head so far. C'mon, one win? That one was a fluke. I bet you won't be seeing any more in the win column for a long time. Brett -- Hamiota, Manitoba
Steelers. They have a suspect defense, and Cowher always chokes when it matters most. Butch -- Quantico,Va.
Saints. Haslett's team did it last year and will do it this year. It was not Ricky or Willie, it is the coach. Chris -- Houston
Patriots. They will probably finish off at best 9-7, but most likely 8-8. Isn't that funny: There is a good chance neither of the teams in last year's Super Bowl will even make the playoffs this year. John -- Milwaukee
What is the most impressive all-time NFL record?
B. Duane Cross is a senior producer for CNNSI.com.
