Next weekend: best regular season matchups ever?

Next Sunday, there are no less than six games between 500 or better teams with
serious playoff implications, and two other games which can also have an effect
on the postseason.  I can't think of a single regular season weekend in NFL
history with so many important games, and this is only week 14.  For example:

Miami  (8-4) at New England (10-2) - A Patriots win gives them the division
title as they would have a three game lead over Miami and also have the
tiebreaker due to sweeping the season series.

Cincinnati (7-5) at Baltimore (7-5) - A Bengals win practically gives them the
AFC North as they would have a one game lead over the Ravens and would also
hold the tiebreaker due to sweeping the season series.

Dallas (8-4) at Philadelphia (9-3) - An Eagles win gives them a two game lead
with three games to go.  Dallas won the earlier meeting so a Dallas win would
tie them with Philly and give them the tiebreaker edge due to a season sweep;

Indianapolis (9-3) at Tennessee (9-2) - Indy beat the Titans earlier in the
season, and would give them the tiebreaker edge if they can beat them again
Sunday.

Seattle (8-4) at Minnesota (7-5) - Both teams are in the NFC playoff hunt, with
the Vikes holding onto a slim one game lead in their division.  Seattle is one
game behind the Rams in the NFC West.  Both teams need to win this game if they
want to get into the playoffs.

Kansas City (11-1) at Denver (7-5) - The Chiefs win the AFC West with a win,
while a Denver win would keep them in the playoff chase.

Also, there are two other games which also have strong playoff implications:

Chicago (5-7) at Green Bay (6-6) - With Minnesota at 7-5 and fading fast, both
the Bears and Packers are still in the running for the NFC North.  A Bears win
and Vikings loss puts both the Bears and Packers within a game of Minnesota,
and the Vikings and Bears meet in week 15.

Tampa Bay (5-7) at New Orleans (6-6) - The Saints are still on the fringes of
the playoff chase, and have beaten Tampa Bay the last three meetings.  The Bucs
are probably out of the playoff hunt this season, but a Saints win would put
them at 7-6 and keep them in the running.

This is shaping up to be possibly the single best regular season weekend for
NFL football ever.  I need to find me a good sports bar where I can watch
several games at once.  The playoff picture should be much clearer after next
weekend.




Michael O'Connor - Modern Renaissance Man

"The likelihood of one individual being correct increases in a direct
proportion to the intensity with which others try to prove him wrong"
James Mason from the movie "Heaven Can Wait".