Season 4: Week 14 Open

These final 5 weeks have major playoff implications in the NFC. The AFC...ehhhhh not so much because mission is walking through the division with a sock full of pennies, and black eyes abound all around.  Your current playoff teams if the season ended today:
AFC East ------ Jets / Patriots
AFC South ---- Colts
AFC West ----- Chiefs
AFC North ---- Steelers
AFC Wildcard - Raiders
AFC Wildcard - Broncos / Titans

NFC East ------ Eagles
NFC South ---- Panthers
NFC West ----- 49ers
NFC North ---- Packers
NFC Wildcard - Bears
NFC Wildcard - Buccaneers

The AFC East is hot garbage, with the division best tied with 6-6 records. The Broncos are a user team nightmare apparently. The Raiders have gotten quite since their fast start, but are flying under the radar.  The Panthers, 49ers, and Packers are red hot this year. The AFC has to look like child's play in comparison with such an easy path to the number 1 seed. The Bears and Buccs are tied for the top Wildcard seed, but the Vikings are only 1 game back should they streak and the other falter.



The Bears are looking up at some ugly green and yellow jerseys in the standings, hoping they stumble. The Buccs seem to be in an up and down rut. When things are good, we'll hear about them. When they're bad? Expect the cold shoulder from Nike. This could be the opening round playoff matchup.

Bears pitch a shutout versus the hapless Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are a mess, and even worse with an injured Adrian Peterson. Instead of starting their rookie to develop him and his cannon arm, they start noodle-armed Kirk Cousins. The Falcons defense isn't terrible, and has potential, but the Bears just had too many options.