Top Three Shocking Things About NFL's Final Regular Season Week



1. Chiefs In, Broncos Out - You find me bemoaning a postseason bereft of Mike Shanahan's blinding bronco teeth but considering the strong words of denunciation SA had for Chief's coach and Jet Expat Herm Edwards, it is a bit embarassing to see them worm their way in. Granted, it was no cheap effort. But look, it took a heapful of fates, the losses of Cincinnati, Tennessee and Denver in addition to their own win to get in. They beat the Jags fair and square and as improbable as it was, the Broncos' 5th loss in 7 games confirmed that the Chiefs are headed to Indianapolis next week. Imagine that: Larry Johnson and his 138 yards and three TDs against the Jags facing the Olé Rush Defence of the Colts.



2. Cowboys Stinking Worse Than Ever Heading Into Playoffs - You would imagine a team wanting some momentum going into the Prayoffs, playing at home against the NFL's second most laughable team, the miserable Detroit Lions, would have won this game handily. Let's say a 35-0 halftime margin to emphasise the point and give the starters some rest in the second half. Instead at the end of the first quarter they were losing to those pathetic Lions by a 13-0 margin! "I can't tell you how disappointed I am. I really can't," Parcells said, of the 39-31 humiliating defeat. "This is the low point for me in a long time." The Cowboys have allowed 132 points the last four games, the exact amount they gave up the previous eight games and will head to the once-notorious home of the Seahawks who have themselves been a laughable playoff-quality team of late. Funnier still, the Lions, who disappointed all year, blew the chance for the Number One Pick in next year's draft with the victory. Oh morale building victories, be still my heart.


Forget about the tough guy's final game...

3. Grossman Is As Bad As Advertised - Bears Believers Beware - It's a sticky wicket to have to question your starting QB with a week off going into the playoffs but Bears QB Rex Grossman has just as many question marks about his quality and form at the end of the regular season as he did at the end of the preseason and yeah, defence and rushing win titles in the NFL but when he goes 2-for-12 with three interceptions -- two of which were returned for touchdowns -- and a zero passer rating in the first half and does not come out for the second, you've got to believe that only Brian Griese's sad and ineffectual second half role (5 for 15 with 2 INTs) prevent this controversy from getting worse. Nonetheless, it must make Bears fans cringe.

"I've been in this position before," Grossman said. "I hate this. I hate it." There's a good chance the Bears will hate it more.

SEEMINGLY RANDOM THOUGHTS ON A SEEMINGLY RANDOM SEASON:

1. My preseason picks for the Wild Card Round of the playoffs (But on the bright side I got 6 of 8 of the division winners right:

AFC:

Pittsburgh at San Diego
Denver at Baltimore

Reality:

KC at Indy
NYJ at NE

NFC:

Tampa Bay at Arizona
Green Bay at Chicago (only one week off)

Reality:

NYG at Iggles
Dallas at Seattle

*****

The weakest playoff teams this season (or, teams most likely to shock everyone thus, and go to the Super Bowl):

1. Dallas Cowboys - As fast as Tony Romo's star arose it has fallen as defences have figured out how to stop him. This guy's demise will be faster than Mark "The Bird" Fidrych's.
2. NY Giants - Definately a hate/hate relationship, the media and Giants coaches. Much like his predecessor, the militant and evil dictator Tom Coughlin has almost been railroaded out of town for the umpteenth time only to be saved by a last-minute playoff. If they are routed by the Iggles and if the promise of making him leave might inspire Tiki's Return, it's bye bye evil dictator, hello next NFL whiz kid.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - This team sort of deserves their playoff spot but really, having to win and having to have three other teams lose makes them one of the more unlikelier candidates to have advanced. Funny thing is, with their running game and Indy's lack of a run defence, this game might be more interesting than expected.

*****

Congrats, New York - Getting both the Giants and the Jets into the playoffs in the same year for the first itme since 2002. No easy feat and certainly improbable.