The NFL playoff picture is coming into focus.
In fact, there’s a real chance there could be no drama in the final weekend of the regular season.
If the Carolina Panthers win at Atlanta on Sunday and the Washington Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, then the NFC is set and the only thing on the line for Week 17 is minor positioning.
The last spot in the AFC seems to be between Pittsburgh and the New York Jets, and that may go down to the final week. The Steelers appear to have the upper hand since they play at Baltimore this week and at Cleveland next week. The Jets host New England this week and visit Buffalo the following week.
Which leads us to this: As crafty as New England coach Bill Belichick is, and as dangerous as the Pittsburgh offense can be – the Steelers have scored 30-plus points in six straight games, and wideout Antonio Brown is currently the most unguardable player in the league – would Commander Hoodie rest his regulars this week against the Jets in trying to keep them healthy and keep the Steelers out of the tournament?
That leads us to the power poll.
Powerful
1. Carolina. Lost in the hubbub from the Odell Beckham Jr. feud with Josh Norman was Cam Newton’s MVP moment Sunday. After his team had surrendered a big lead, Cam looked the part of a Super Bowl-worthy quarterback even before he took the field. As long as he’s healthy, well, the Panthers are going to be a load.
2. New England. We’ve never fully understood the divide between the NFL MVP and the offensive player of the year. That said, after Newton wins the former, Tom Brady almost certainly will win the latter. Brady’s numbers – league-best 4,405 passing yards and 35 TDs to just six picks – are crazy good. Plus, he’s likely going to get his top two wideouts – Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola – back for the playoffs.
3. Arizona. The Cardinals are great at making teams defend the entire field, and Carson Palmer’s stats are crazy good: 32 TDs, nine picks, better than 64 completion percent, 4,277 passing yards. Plus, they are top six in points scored and points allowed. That’s a complete team.
4. Green Bay. As great as the Cardinals and Panthers have been, would it surprise any of us if the Packers and/or Seattle Seahawks were in the NFC title game? That’s the power of having the best quarterback in the game in Aaron Rodgers and having a championship-proven defense like the Seahawks do.
5. Pittsburgh. Yes, this is higher than three potential division winners in the AFC, which points to the question about whether New England strategically tanks this week. And here’s a scary point about that Steelers’ offense: They are doing this without star running back LeVeon Bell and their two best linemen.
Powerless
28. San Diego. Hey, at least the Chargers get to live in San Diego. Wait, they are about to move, reportedly. Never mind.
29. Dallas. Yes, injuries derailed the Cowboys’ plan, but Dallas is hardly the only franchise that has had injuries. Houston, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh are but a few of the teams that have had a litany of injuries, including to stars and QBs, and still managed to compete. To make matters worse, the 1-9 free fall for Dallas without Tony Romo was pegged on Brandon Weeden’s ineffectiveness. Who came off the bench last week to lead Houston to a huge win over Indy? Yep, Brandon Weeden.
30. Cleveland. How bad has it been for the Browns? Well, amid all the drama and Johnny Manziel mess, the Browns have all of three wins, and those came against a trio of teams whose record is a combined 11-31. Here’s a question: When the Browns – and owner Jimmy Haslam – replace coach Mike Pettine this offseason, shouldn’t it be Haslam’s duty as (a) a diligent owner and (b) a lifelong University of Tennessee fan to offer Nick Saban $12 million a year to coach the Browns? We think yes.
31. San Francisco. The 49ers are so bad, the Cleveland Browns are looking around going, “Hey, at least we’re not the 49ers.” That said, the 49ers do have four wins, but still it’s staggering to believe the free fall of this franchise.
32. Tennessee. If Mike Mularkey plays Marcus Mariota, who sprained an ACL last week, in either of the final two games that are so meaningless that it would greatly behoove the Titans to lose, then Mularkey should be arrested. It’s just that simple.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343. Follow him on Twitter @jgreesontfp.