[Sylvanfan]

Well as we get into the final quarter of the season there are a few games with playoff implications this week.

Indianapolis at Tennessee
The Titans have gone into the tank and appear to be pretty dysfunctional right now. But will they roll over and let the Colts come into their stadium and give them a free win? The Colts are banged up and have to go on the road in a short week and can't afford another loss.

Oakland at Jacksonville
Believe it or not the Raiders are very much alive for the AFC West. In fact if they win out, and Kansas City loses one of it's other remaining games than the Raiders will win the Division. Jacksonville pretty much needs this win to stay a game ahead of Indy.

Kansas City at San Diego
The Chiefs can't clinch the AFC West with a win, but they would essentially eliminate the Chargers from the playoffs if they do. Even if the Chiefs can't win this one they still win the Division if they win all their other games. But it's the Chiefs, and I can see them stumbling to an 0-4 finish.

Atlanta and Green Bay go on the road to play the Panthers and Lions who have 1 and 2 wins respectively. Although I think Atlanta is pretty much a gimme, the Lions will at least make the Packers work for a win.

Philly at Dallas
The Cowboys look alive under Jason Garret but I still think they'll have trouble stopping Michael Vick, and their offence won't be able to pile up enough points against the Eagles.

Giants at Minny
The other NFC East contender goes to play the other big NFC disappointment this week. The Vikings seem to be much more cohesive under Leslie Frazier, and the Giants are still a bit banged up.

St.Louis at New Orleans
We could see this matchup again in the playoffs except reversed venues. Saints have won 5 in a row although lately they haven't been easy. They should be able to beat the Rams at home although the plucky Rams might keep it closer than you think.

New England at Chicago
The Pats go on the road with a short week to play the Bears who themselves are pretty hot right now. This might actually be a pretty good game with the Bears defence playing at a pretty high level. A win for the Bears would pretty much cement them as a NFC playoff team.

Seattle at San Fran
A win by the Seahawks would officially kill off the 49'ers who are going back to Alex Smith at QB.

Steelers get to beat on the Bengals at home, they have a pretty good shot to win out and finish 13-3.

The Jets and Ravens can pretty much put themselves in the playoffs with wins over Miami and Houston. The Jets were horrid yesterday, but they seem to be a team who gets really out of sync when they have too much time off between games. I think they'll bounce back. Houston will be rested at home against the Ravens who played a mean and nasty game on Sunday night. But that Texans pass defence is so bad that Flacco and Boldin will get the Ravens a win.