Thoughts on schedules, and games remaining, as we approach the playoffs:
NFC:
Green Bay plays @NYG, Oak, @KC, Chi, Detroit. Can they run the table? If they get past the Giants, I think so.
New Orleans plays Detroit, @Tenn, @Minn, Atl, and Carolina. Very hot right now. They could go finish 12-4, or 13-3.
San Francisco - StL, @ Arizona, Pitts, @Seattle, @ Stl. They could run the table here and finish 14-2 actually. Best defense in the NFC by a whopping 64 points (Dallas 2nd). In the AFC it's Houston, who has still given up 20 more than the 49ers.
Dallas - @Ari, NYG, @TB, Phi, @NYG. Cowboys have won 4 straight and could go 11-5.
Wildcards today look like Atlanta for certain, followed by either Chicago, Detroit or the Giants. Lions have tougher schedule. But if Cutler misses the season Bears will suffer.
AFC
New England - Colts, @ ‘Skins, @ Denver, Miami, Buffalo. They could run the table here. Toughest game at Denver.
Pittsburgh plays Bengals, Browns, @SF, StL, @ Cleveland. Looks like 4-1 to me, 3-2 at worst.
Baltimore plays @ Browns, Indy, @SD, Browns, @ Cincy. Last game toughest.
Houston has the AFC South sewn up. A bigger issue is injuries. Can Schaub or Williams come back by the playoffs?
Any of these teams could end up 13-3 or 12-4. Ravens hold division over Steelers. Both hold conference over Steelers. Last week in the season should be a dandy.
Oakland should win the AFC West.
Wildcard will be either Pittsburgh or Baltimore, depending on who wins that division, and probably the Jets, who are historically very good in December and used to being the wildcard and on the road. The spoiler is Denver, who holds a head-to-head win over the Jets, and in theory could push the Raiders out of first at the rate Tebow is playing.