National Football League

Playoffs taking shape

Published Dec. 12, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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The playoff picture was painted a little more clearly on Sunday. The Green Bay Packers clinched a first-round bye in dominating fashion. The New Orleans Saints clinched a playoff berth with their win, coupled with the Chicago Bears’ loss. And for the first time in franchise history, the Houston Texans clinched the AFC South with their come-from-behind, last-second victory over the Bengals, combined with the loss by the Titans.

Although it was a blowout win for the Packers, it didn’t come without a casualty. We are awaiting word on Greg Jennings as it has been reported by multiple sources that he has suffered a torn MCL, and while that may not require season ending surgery, he will most likely be out the next 4-6 weeks. After experiencing such an injury to a key contributor, it will be interesting to see just how hard the Packers attempt an undefeated season.

In talking to other coaches around the league, specifically on Coach Speak, most are in agreement that you play to win the game, regardless of the situation. If you have a chance to etch your name in the record books of the NFL, that is exactly what you try and do, and it is my opinion that the Packers will continue to chase that history. As for Jennings, it is obviously an impactful loss to the Packers’ offense, but they definitely have the weapons to make up for it. This makes the re-signing of James Jones in the offseason look genius, and they will rely on him as well as more playing time for Donald Driver in Jennings’ absence.

The Saints are second in the NFL in scoring offense, putting up more than 31 points per game, but it was their defense that was the determining factor against the Titans on Sunday. With just a field goal per quarter, the Saints trailed the Titans 10-9 heading into the fourth quarter. The defense knocked Matt Hasselbeck out of the game, and contained Chris Johnson to just 23 yards on 11 carries.

That is a significant accomplishment considering Johnson had averaged more than 170 yards on the ground over the previous two games. In the fourth quarter, Jake Locker led the Titans to an additional touchdown, but Drew Brees finally started to find his rhythm. He connected with Marques Colston for fourth-quarter touchdowns of 35 and 28 yards. It wasn’t the offensive outpouring the Saints had put up against the Giants and the Lions in Weeks 12 and 13, but it was just enough to clinch a spot in the playoffs and keep them alive for a first-round bye.

The 49ers would later lose to the Cardinals, making both the Saints and Niners 8-3 overall, but with the 49ers holding the tie-breaker, they will need to lose another game before surrendering the second seed in the NFC. That makes the 49ers’ match-up against the Steelers next week even more interesting.

The Texans didn’t play their best game, in fact, it may have been their worst outing since Week 5 vs. Oakland. With that said, their ability to come back from a 16-3 deficit should not be overlooked. The Texans could be the 2012 version of the 2011 Packers, overcoming injuries and just finding ways to win football games. The only real difference between those teams is that the injuries the Texans have suffered this season are at more impactful positions.

I think T.J. Yates has done an excellent job filling in for Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart, even without Andre Johnson on Sunday. The final drive was indicative of the no-quit mentality the Texans have displayed all season long. They started at their own 20-yard line and after a couple of 8- to 12-yard completions to Owen Daniels to get them near midfield, Yates found Kevin Walter for a 20-yard gain to set them up at the Bengals’ 35. After being sacked for a loss of five yards on second down, it was the 3rd-and-15 play that was the defining moment in the game.

Yates, under duress, scrambled up the middle. Rather than slide short of the first down marker, he eluded a tackle, lowered his shoulder and fought for an extra five yards. To me, that showed Yates is mature beyond his years and has a high football IQ that the Texans can rely on down the stretch. Four plays later, Yates found Walter from six yards out for the game-winning touchdown with just two seconds remaining on the clock. While it was a good throw and catch, Gary Kubiak should get a ton of credit for the excellent play design on the rub route that allowed Walter to get so open in the first place.

Many believed that with Yates behind center, the Texans would just turn around and hand off to Arian Foster and Ben Tate. But in his second straight start, Yates had thrown for more yards than Foster and Tate have combined for on the ground.

Outside of the aforementioned clinching performances, there were wild-card developments that added clarity to the playoff race.

In the AFC, the first wild-card spot will be occupied by either the Steelers or Ravens, whoever falls short of the division title. But the second slot was wide open coming into the weekend. With Cincinnati, Tennessee and Oakland all losing, the New York Jets have separated themselves with just three games left. With two of the three being on the road, it won’t be an easy path to the playoffs, but they did just give themselves a one-game cushion.

The Denver Broncos also won to put their overall record at 8-5. But with the Oakland loss, the Broncos have separated themselves in the division, and therefore won’t take up a wild-card spot.

In the NFC, Detroit and Atlanta were the big winners with the Bears, Giants and Cowboys all a game behind. Both wild-card slots will be up for grabs, and with another head-to-head match left between the Cowboys and the Giants, it looks like the division winner will be the only playoff representative from the NFC East.

With Chicago losing in Tebow Time, and not having another head-to-head match-up with the Lions, the Bears will need some help to get into the playoffs now.

The Falcons have two of the remaining three at home, but are on a short week with the Jaguars coming up on Thursday. Still, their biggest game will come in Week 16 against the Saints in New Orleans.
 

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