Power Position Betting Week 15 Quick Hits

The sad truth of the NFL year is that right about this time, a lot of teams fade from public consciousness, which is one of the benefits of fantasy football. While normally no one outside of the city limits would care about a week 15 Packers/Lions game, fantasy football players across the nation are agonizing as Brett Favre throws yet another int. Fantasy dreams were made and broken this week, and here at the Positioning Group, we're no different. But let's stop talking fantasy football, and start talking about the only fantasy that matters now, one where for six teams, this fantasy becomes a reality.

The Playoffs.

Instead of the usual quick hits routine of a run-down on all the highlights throughout the league, we're going to talk right now about the playoff implications of this weekends games, beginning in the stronger of the two conferences, the AFC.

Okay, San Diego, Indianapolis (thank you for beating the Colts, my favoritism for the Jets never fails to shine through my words), Baltimore, and New England--no worries, you are the top four seeds, all that matters now is home-field. The way the Chargers are playing, they pretty much have the top slot and the Colts should take number 2. This was a big win for them over the Bengals, and look for Baltimore to host and lose in the first playoff round. New England, you guys will advance to at least the second round no matter who you play. Unless, of course, the refs mess with you again...

Now for the wildcard. The best bets for the last two spots (and the teams we will focus on) are teams who have 8-6 win/loss records, being: the Bengals, Broncos, Jaguars, and J-E-T-S! The Bengals, fresh off their loss to the Colts, now have to play Denver, in Denver, and then a resurgent Pittsburgh team fighting for a spot. Things do not look good in Cincinnati right now, and by the time the year is done, there may be a few more players taking pictures for the police.

Things appear the easiest for the Jets, who have to face the Dolphins on Christmas and then a Raiders team that hopefully just wants to end the year. However, knowing the Jets and being the typical Jets fan that I am, you can safely count them out.

So indications point to Denver and Jacksonville, two teams led by a shaky quarterback. Are these squads willing to trust their playoff hopes on the arms of Cutler and Garrard? Can these QB's lead them? I have a fair share of doubt. While Cutler had a decent game against the Cardinals--the key word being the Cardinals--Garrard looked pretty terrible against the Titans, tossing up 3 interceptions returned for touchdowns, making everyone in the Jacksonville-area froth at the mouth.

How great would it be if Vince Young and the Titans made it? With games at Buffalo and New England (NE at home at least), it doesn't seem likely. Nor does it for Buffalo, the team who appear to be the prodigal too-good-too-late team hoping for a miracle.

So who makes it? At this point, fan allegiance aside, I have to say the Jets have the easiest road, and joining them will be the Bengals. Maybe it is blinded by team allegiance--for if the Bengals knock off Denver, it opens the road for the Jets--but I really feel they do have the best shot outside of the Jets for making it. The way they are playing the game (unlike how they played a few hours ago, where they tossed out their style of play and tried to imitate the Jaguars), they'll bounce back from this defeat in Indianapolis and roll into the playoffs with their heads held high--and if not, their heads will be held high for the mug shot.

Moving on to the NFC, I'm going to be more brisk. In a conference where 5 6-8 teams still have a shot, however remote, of making it, it is prudent to wait one more week. However, let's assume--of course, assuming everything that assume signifies--that the Seahawks round out the top 4 teams, ending up as 1. Chicago, 2. New Orleans, 3. Dallas, and 4. Seattle. Of course if the Eagles beat Dallas, that opens a host of possibilities, but let's just leave it like that and talk about the final two spots.

By virtue of record, and the fact that the Eagles play Dallas on Christmas (how great did that scheduling job work out, two huge games on Christmas), the Eagles and Cowboys can flip flop for a home-field-first-round spot and the first wildcard. Regardless, I like Dallas most because they play the Lions in Week 17, while the Eagles are playing a Falcons team that will fight hard to make the playoffs. So even if the Eagles beat the Cowboys, I like Dallas to still win the division.

The Giants and Falcons each then hold their destiny in their own hands. Giants have to play the Saints and then a weak Redskins team. Falcons have Panthers, a historically difficult team for them, and then the aforementioned Eagles squad. Two important factors come into play here, however. The Giants are home against the Saints, who may be looking for revenge for the last time that they played in Giants stadium, after Hurricane Katrina. Then, the Giants are on the road in Washington. The Falcons are home against the Panthers, which will be a huge help, and then on the road against the Eagles. I like the Falcons here.

Plus, the Giants, for all of their talent, have a habit of choking. So, who gets the two last spots then? Well, at this early point, way too early--like I said, this is all still too much fantasy to really discuss--but it seems to point to the Falcons and the Eagles. Now, who doesn't want to watch Vick back in the playoffs? And what if Garcia does what McNabb couldn't?

I think all of Philly would burn down in disbelief.

And these are the things I want to see...but then again, that's what fantasy means. Which means, of course, expect the Chiefs and Steelers to make the wildcards in the AFC and the Vikings and Packers in the NFC.

Now, that, that would really be a fantasy.