Wednesday, November 4, 2009

NFL 1981 Week 16 Preview

This is it the final week of the season and there is still much to be decided. In the AFC the Chiefs have clinched home field throughout the playoffs, but both the AFC East and the AFC Central champs have yet to be decided. In the East Miami has to travel to Buffalo, while the Jets host New England. Both the Jets and the Dolphins sit at 10-5 and they split with one another. The Dolphins have the tie breaker though currently as they have the better Division record. In order for the Jets to take the Division title, the Dolphins have to lose and the Jets have to win. Meanwhile Baltimore at 9-6 is in the running for a wild card spot in the playoffs. They have a tough one though, they have to travel to San Francisco the best team in the NFC.

In the AFC Central it's Pittsburgh and Houston all tied up at 10-5. This could come down to a point differential tie breaker, which at this point would go to Houston. Both teams have easy road games at Cleveland and Cincinnati.

In the West the Chiefs have things wrapped up, but San Diego and Seattle are both fighting for wild card spots, and they play this week. This should be the game of the week. The Chargers have made it this far with their tough defense, while Seattle relies very heavily on their offense. This should be a great game.

In the NFC West the 49ers locked away the Division and right now sit atop the race for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Los Angeles is still fighting to get into the playoffs as a wild card. They have to travel to Atlanta, a team which has been playing much better here of late.

Detroit has clinched the NFC Central and are hoping to grab home field advantage this final week. They will need San Francisco to lose while they beat Tampa at home. Chicago and Green Bay are still fighting for a wild card spot. At this point they both need to win and some other teams need to lose for them to grab a spot.

Washington beat Dallas in week 15 to pull even and now all they have to do is beat the Giants, while the Cowboys have to take on the Cardinals another playoff hopeful team. That should be a great game. Two very potent offensive teams, and the winner makes the playoffs.


Standings AFC
East: Miami, New York 10-5; Baltimore 9-6; New England 6-9; Buffalo 5-10
Central: Pittsburgh, Houston 10-5; Cincinnati 5-10; Cleveland 3-12
West: Kansas City 12-3; Seattle, San Diego 9-6; Oakland 6-9; Denver 4-11

NFC
East: Dallas, Washington 9-6; St. Louis 8-7; Philadelphia 7-8; New York 3-12
Central: Detroit 10-5; Chicago 8-7; Green Bay 7-7-1; Minnesota 6-9; Tampa Bay 5-9-1
West: San Francisco 11-4; Los Angeles 8-7; Atlanta, New Orleans 5-10


Statistics QBs
KC Greg Hendrickson 93.0
Sea Brian Sipe 92.1
Det Greg Landry 91.2

RBs
Phi Ricky Bell 1,223yds
Hou Ronnie Coleman 1,184yds
Bal Billy Sims 1,169yds

Recs
Sea Steve Largent 1,370yds
Det Mel Jacobs 1,366yds
NYG John Jefferson 1,188yds


Playoff Picture AFC
Kansas City 12-3
Miami 10-5
Houston 10-5
Pittsburgh 10-5
New York 10-5
San Diego 9-6
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Baltimore 9-6
Seattle 9-6

NFC
San Francisco 11-4
Detroit 10-5
Washington 9-6
Dallas 9-6
Chicago 8-7
St. Louis 8-7
---------------------------
Los Angeles 8-7
Green Bay 7-7-1


Games to Watch Chicago 8-7 at Minnesota 6-9
At this point if you're Chicago you know the key is to win games. This will not be an easy win, especially since the Vikings would love nothing more than to play spoiler against a rival.

Tampa Bay 5-9-1 at Detroit 10-5
The Lions would love to grav home field advantage. They are currently playing like the best team in the NFC and want the advantage. They'll have to win this tough game and hope the 49ers lose to have a shot.

Los Angeles 8-7 at Atlanta 5-10
Right now the Rams are out of the playoffs. They have to win and hope the Cards or Bears lose.

Baltimore 9-6 at San Francisco 11-4
If the 49ers weren't fighting to hold on to home field advantage I might think the Colts could take this one, but this is going to be tough road game for the Colts who have to win if they want a wild card spot.

Green Bay 7-7-1 at New Orleans 5-10
The Packers can only get in with some luck but the chance is still there. First though they have to travel and take on a Saints team that has been playing tough of late.

Dallas 9-6 at St. Louis 8-7
The Cowboys would love to take the Division but this is a game the Cardinals cannot lose if they hope to make the playoffs.

New York Giants 3-12 at Washington 9-6
The Giants would love to play spoiler, but it will be tough against a Washington team that is playing very well right now.

San Diego 9-6 at Seattle 9-6
The game of the week. One of these teams will more than likely make the playoffs, but it's not assured. One thing though that both teams know they need to win.

New England 6-9 at New York Jets 10-5
A must win for the Jets at home.

Miami 10-5 at Buffalo 5-10
A must win for Miami on the road. The Dolphins have been struggling without Benny Malone, so we'll see what they have left.

Pittsburgh 10-5 at Cleveland 3-12
This should be an easy win for the Steelers, but the Browns have a very tough defense so you never know.

Houston 10-5 at Cincinnati 5-10
This should be an easy win for the Oilers, but the Bengals offense can be dangerous so you never know.






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