Patriots out to prove Super Bowl win was no fluke
After a magical ride last season, the Patriots have lost their shine, losing their last six games against teams with winning records. Even a victory over AFC East leaders Miami today will not be enough for the Pats to repeat as division champions.
They also need the Jets to lose to Green Bay on Sunday. If the Jets win, the Pats would need losses by Cleveland and Denver and either a win by Kansas City or a loss by San Diego to claim a wild card berth.
Last December, the Patriots posted a 20-13 victory over the Dolphins and clinched the division title. Now, however, the Dolphins have the edge at running back with NFL rushing leader Ricky Williams, who has rushed for 1,668 yards, 52 more than San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson.
Even though the Dolphins have the upper hand, defensive end Jason Taylor is treating the game as a must-win.
“The approach this week is, this is the first week of the playoffs, because we’re in a situation now where there’s a strong possibility we’ll be sitting home at New Year’s, and that’s obviously not something we want to do,” Taylor said.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders have booked their postseason tickets. But the potential Super Bowl opponents are keen to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs and to do so they must defeat division rivals who are fighting for wild card spots.
The Eagles visit the New York Giants today, and the Raiders host Kansas City later in the day. The Eagles have thrived despite the loss of quarterback Donovan
McNabb to a broken ankle last month. But if they lose this weekend and Green Bay beat the New York Jets, the Packers would have home field advantage over Philadelphia in an NFC title game. Meanwhile, the Giants are seeking their third postseason appearance in six years under coach Jim Fassel, who has an 18-5 record in December, including three straight wins.
But he’ll need another win on Saturday or a loss by New Orleans, who host Carolina on Sunday, to make the playoffs. The Raiders, AFC West champions for the third straight year, are dreaming of two home playoff dates before a trip to San Diego for Super Bowl 37 in January, while Kansas City go into Oakland today fighting for survival.
The Chiefs will again be without running back Priest Holmes, who is still nursing a hip injury. In addition, they not only need to win but also need losses by both Denver and New England or a combination of losses by Denver and the New York Jets and a win by Indianapolis.
There is also a scenario in which the Chiefs can make the playoffs if Denver and Indianapolis lose, and the Jets and Cleveland win.
The bad news is that all the possibilities contain a loss by Denver, who are heavy favourites tomorrow against Arizona. Indianapolis need a victory against Jacksonville to clinch their third playoff berth in the last five seasons. Tennessee, who beat the Colts to the AFC South crown, hope to earn a first-round bye with a victory over the expansion Houston Texans.
The Titans are among the NFL’s hottest teams entering the final week, winning four straight and nine of their last 10 games since a 1-4 start.
Tampa Bay have a chance to secure a first-round bye with a victory over Chicago, but only if Green Bay lose.
If the Buccaneers lose and San Francisco beat St Louis on Monday, Tampa Bay would drop to the No 4 seed in the NFC and could face postseason trips to frosty Green Bay and
Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh could come away from their clash with Baltimore with a first-round bye, or even home field advantage throughout the postseason.
Cleveland face a must-win situation when they host Atlanta, while the Falcons could already be assured of a playoff berth by the time they take the field.
In other games, San Diego host Seattle, Buffalo host Cincinnati, Detroit host Minnesota and Washington host Dallas.
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