If you are a New York Giants fan you know the score when it comes to the NFL playoff picture. The Giants have to defeat the Washington Redskins today and hope that the Chicago Bears defeat the Green Bay Packers. If Green Bay wins, no way the Giants can make the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have a slim shot at the final NFC wild-card berth. The Buccaneers have to beat the 11-4 New Orleans Saints today, obviously not an easy task, and hope that both the Packers and Giants lose. If that happens, they would snag the final spot.
The NFC West champion will also be decided today when the 7-8 St. Louis Rams fans the 6-9 Seattle Seahwaks. Ridiculous that these teams have a shot at the playoffs when the Packers, Giants and Buccaneers could all wind up with 10 victories -- and two of them could go home. Personally, I have to root for the Rams. Not only are they coached by former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, but if they win today at least they would be 8-8. Nobody other than Seattle fans can want a 7-9 team to make the playoffs.
In the AFC, the remaining playoff battle is between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts (9-6) have the upper hand and can clinch with a victory over Tennessee today or a loss by the Jaguars to Houston. Jacksonville (8-7) is in the same boat as the Giants. They must win today and hope the Colts lose.