More photos » by AJ Mast - AP

5 days ago: New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk (33) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt (33) on fourth down during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Indianapolis won 35-34. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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With 2:08 left in the fourth quarter, with a 34-28 lead, the New England Patriots take a timeout Sunday night. They were discussing the upcoming punt situation with two yards to go on fourth down at the Patriots own 28-yard line. Everyone was sure of it. Tom Brady was there, talking about personnel and offering his input about a special teams play. Right? He is, after all, Tom freaking Brady. When Brady returned to the field, you flipped your wrist in a gesture to say "get the hell out", you're just trying to draw the defense offsides. Why do teams do that? When the situation is clearly obvious that the quarterback is trying to... Wait. Dan Koppen just snapped it. Wait. Tom Brady caught the snap in shotgun. Wait. Tom Brady is surveying the field. Wait. He threw the pass to Kevin Faulk. Wait. The official marked it short of a first down. Wait. Indianapolis' ball. What. The. Hell. Just. Happened. Did New England just go for it? The lonely echoes of an electronic guitar playing a sad ballard, like in a bar off an Arizona highway, emanate on the Patriots' sidelines.

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Since this is sort of an off-week, I'm going to take the "take it one game at a time" and throw it in the desk drawer for a while. The great thing about being 5-2 is that the Bengals are tied for first place -- in truth, they have a one-game lead because of the team's win over the Steelers earlier in the season. Now, Cincinnati is preparing for another gauntlet with the division's powerhouses against Baltimore and Pittsburgh. If, and that's a big if, the Bengals win both games, they launch themselves to 7-2. Not only did that seem impossible to envision after last season, but sometimes it still seems impossible. Yet, it's very real. And it's very possible.

And we're getting healthy with preparations with a divine-like timing of a bye week.

The Baltimore Ravens had their bye week already last week and host the undefeated Denver Broncos this Sunday. Like the Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers have their bye week this week. On November 9 (a Monday Night game), the Broncos will host the Steelers.

It's an understatement to say that we're going to be hardcore Bronco cheerleaders for two weeks. After each game that the Broncos play the Ravens and Steelers, the Bengals play them the following week. Can the Broncos sustain their undefeated season? Let's say, in a perfect world, the Broncos and Bengals beat both teams. This will give the Bengals at least a three-game edge over the Steelers (two-game lead, plus head-to-head tie-breaker) and a five-game edge over the Baltimore Ravens (four-game lead, plus head-to-head tie-breaker). With seven games remaining, the Bengals chances of making the playoffs aren't just good, they're damned near certain, if not extraordinary. After Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Bengals host Oakland (2-5) and play the Browns (1-6) and Lions (1-5) -- three teams with a combined 4-16 record -- a .200 winning percentage. That's a potential 10-2 record. Cincinnati heads to Minnesota on December 13 and finishes the season at San Diego, hosting Kansas City and at New York Jets.

Even if they don't win the division, there's a great chance that at least one wild card comes out of the AFC North. The New York Jets are 4-3 and favorites to make the playoffs, at least via the Wild Card. The Bengals play the Jets in the regular season finale.

In a perfect world, the Bengals could define their season by mid-November.

Alright, alright. I pulled the "take it one game at a time" out of my drawer and onto my desk.

If you've ever moved around the country when you were younger, you'll understand if you have other teams that you root for. In my case, I've always rooted for the Vikings and Twins; provided they weren't playing the Bengals and Reds. I was raised in (super liberal) Minnesota in the 80s, leaving for the (super conservative) Queen City by the time John Taylor caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Joe Montana, completing a 14-point fourth quarter rally winning Super Bowl XXIII. We hate the San Francisco 49ers for two reasons; this is one of them.

Of the games we called for Wild Card weekend, we couldn't find any reason why the Vikings hosting the Eagles would include an overwhelming subplot, trend, or momentum that would have us select a sure-winner. The Eagles were fortunate to make the playoffs, after the football gods smiled upon Philadelphia, carefully allowing a long-shot scenario come true. The Eagles finished the season winning four of their final five games, including wins against playoff teams against the Cardinals and the Giants. Philadelphia finished with a 4-2 record against the Giants (split), Steelers and Falcons, losing their second game to the Ravens (a week after the Bengals threw Eagle-ville into freaking chaos).

Since that loss to the Ravens, Donovan McNabb has played good football, scoring eight touchdowns and throwing only one pick. Brian Westbrook has two 100-yard rushing performances in the past five games, including a third game in which he recorded over 100 yards from scrimmage. In his past three games, he hasn't scored a touchdown, nor recorded 100 yards, after scoring six touchdown in the two games that preceded it.

Against the Vikings, the Eagles have won six of their past seven games. Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb have never lost to them; McNabb hasn't even thrown a pick. In their past five head-to-head games, the Eagles average 28.8 points scored, allowing only 18.2 to the Vikes.

However, if you believe that defenses and rushing offenses rule the playoffs, then this game should feature both. The Eagles sport the league's third best defense; the Vikings have the sixth-best. No team defends the rush better than the Vikings' 76.9 yards-allowed per game, even though the Eagles are a close fourth with 92.2 yards per. Where the Eagles struggle and where the Vikings clearly have the advantage, is rushing offense. With Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor leading the league's fifth best rushing offense (2,332 yards rushing), the Eagles 22nd rushing offense averages 106.1 yards per game, and 4.0 yards-per-rush. However, it's well noted that the Eagles simply abandoned the rushing offense at times.

Like the Colts/Chargers; very hard to predict.I see this game being it's opposite; defense-dominated. If the game is based on who makes the least amount of mistakes, then it's clearly the Eagles (the Vikings have a -6 turnover differential; +3 for the Eagles). It's critical that Adrian Peterson set the pace for the Vikings offense, otherwise, I believe they don't have a chance. I think the Eagles are the better team, especially playing better in the closing games of the season.

However, I grew up a Vikings fan, and the home-field advantage for both the Twins and Vikings has always always favored Minnesota teams more than others; Vikings are 6-2 at home. The Eagles on the road are 3-4-1, with their only wins coming against the Giants, Seahawks and 49ers. We're calling the Vikings on this one, expecting Adrian Peterson to absolutely take the game over; though we wouldn't be surprised if the Eagles win easily either if Peterson is ineffective. How's that for fence-sitting?

We've faced the Baltimore Ravens twice this season (each time, the Ravens limited the Bengals offense to less than eight first downs). In each game, the Ravens ran down our throats, while their defense suffocated our offense with six total points (one touchdown on a Johnathan Joseph fumble return for touchdown during kickoff weekend). What's different from this season's version of the Ravens from its predecessors, is that the offense is increasingly stable, with good game-management by rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, leading a three-headed monster running back unit of Willie McGahee, Le'Ron McClain and Ray Rice -- all three combining for 2,027 yards rushing.

With the second-ranked defense in the NFL, the Ravens' 15.2 scoring defense (second) is helped by a passing defense (second) and a league best 60.6 passer rating against opposing quarterbacks. Showcasing the rushing defense, third best in the NFL, will eventually determine whether the Miami Dolphins can compete against the Ravens. If it wasn't for the Steelers, Baltimore would be first in many of the major defensive categories; be that as it may, the Ravens are in the top-five in nearly every category on defense.

The Ravens finished the season 11-5; all five defeats against playoff teams (Steelers twice, Titans, Colts and Giants). Overall, the Ravens are 2-5 against playoff teams, with a win against the Eagles and the Miami Dolphins.

The trouble that the Dolphins face is that when used Wild Cat formations (at the time, considered "unstoppable"), the Ravens held Ronnie Brown and Rick Williams to 43 yards rushing on 17 carries -- the longest being a 13-yard Brown rush. Willis McGahee recorded his first of three 100-yard performances this season, including a touchdown and a 35-yard reception. Flacco was playing game-management while Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs dominated.

We think it's incredible what the Dolphins have done this year; they're written the script on how to go from 1-15 to playoff berth by outperforming an 11-5 New England Patriots' squad that's watching this game, from home. Convinced primarily by watching several Ravens' games, it's rare that Baltimore is soundly beaten this season, with only two defeats by more than four points (28-point loss to the Colts, 20-point loss to the Giants). The Dolphins are 1-2 against playoff teams, ending 2008 on a five-game winning streak against the Rams, Bills, 49ers, Chiefs, and Jets.

We're not trying to take anything away from the Dolphins, or the fans that support them, but the Ravens have played great most of the season and their style of football (good defense, powerful rushing offense) is often two things that wins playoff games.

If the NFL were about trends, then the Indianapolis Colts are in trouble. In their past five games against the San Diego Chargers, the Colts are 2-3, scoring 23.8 points per game. In those five games, Peyton Manning has scored only 10 touchdowns, against 12 interceptions with a 78.5 passer rating. Only one rushing touchdown has been scored by Colts running backs (Edgerrin James), while receivers have been modestly effective based on typical expectations against the Bolts. Indianapolis is 1-1 in San Diego since 2000, winning this season's head-to-head match-up 23-20, on a time-expiring 51-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri.

The Colts nine-game winning streak, by itself, is impressive. That's the way you want to play heading into the playoffs. During that streak, the Colts beat the Patriots by three, the Steelers by four, and the Chargers (above). However, competition in their last five games just hasn't been there; scoring wins against the Browns (only winning by four), Bengals, Lions, Jaguars and Titans (who even rested the head coach). However, those wins shouldn't be taken for granted, or else they'd find their berth in the playoffs a little worrisome. They too, until late, were in must win scenarios throughout much of the season. Will the last five games against terrible teams (or a rest in week 17), cause problems?

Bolts From the Blue expects a lot of nickel coverages, primarily because of an average Colts rushing offense, keying off the passing attack of Peyton Manning. Philip Rivers won the December Offensive Player of the Month turning in an impressive four-game performance in must-win games against the Raiders, Chiefs, Buccaneers, and the Broncos. In their past two games, the Chargers scored 93 points, including 52 points in a win-or-go-home regular season finale against the Denver Broncos.

Even though the Colts are a one-point favorite, if you were to predict this game based on who's playing better, then one might look at the Chargers explosive offense. Furthermore, neither team has an advantage based on geographical records; Chargers are 5-3 at home, the Colts are 6-2 on the road. However, if we were to base our prediction on which team has performed better against better teams, we would be foolish to go against the Manning and Colts. Afterall, the Chargers are 0-5 against 2008 Playoff teams.

Even though we believe the Colts win, this game deserves its prime time slot, clearly the better (and entertaining) match-up of the weekend. If you're a fan of football, this will be fun.

We realize that the Cardinals won the NFC West relatively early in the season. However, suspicion boomed after the Cardinals lost four of their last six games, all allowing 35 points or more in each loss. Even more so, three of their four losses were against NFC teams that made the playoffs (Eagles, Vikings, Giants) with both wins coming against opponents with a combined 6-26 record (Rams and Seahawks). The one thing going for them is their 6-2 record at home, with wins against the Dolphins, Bills, Cowboys, 49ers, Rams and Seahawks.

The Falcons, on the other hand, finished their unbelievable season with a three-game winning streak, winning seven of their final nine games. Victories during that stretch include at San Diego, against #2 seed the Carolina Panthers and the Minnesota Vikings. Their 13-10 win during the Buccaneers implosion, eventually forced Tampa Bay out of the playoffs; suffering a four-game losing streak. Combined with Michael Turner (1,699 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns) and Matt Ryan (Offensive rookie of the year), the Falcons finished with the league's sixth best offense. However, the Falcons finished 3-2 against playoff teams, and only a 4-4 record on the road.

Being only two-point Vegas favorites, the Falcons are overwhelming favorites by most analysts. Even though they secured early-season wins against the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, the Cardinals only went 1-4 against playoff teams. Their early season surge was impressive, clearly dying after going an unimpressive 4-4.

A full body of work is good and all. But you have to take account how a team plays heading into the playoff. And the Falcons are clearly the better team.

During Monday Night's game between Miami and New York, I looked to my right where my cousin was seated and said "I think the Dolphins will win this." My thinking was the sloppy field and water saturated footballs would stall the Jets offense. I figured Miami would do well with a good defense and a decent rush offense. I just didn't realize the quarterback play was so awful. Take out Ronnie Brown and you have a lemonade stand -- at best.

As the game wore on, the best Monday Night Football broadcast booth of all-time slightly touched on the AFC Playoff Picture. If the Jets won Monday Night, they'd have to win next week and the second AFC Wild Card is theirs. Who do they play? They showed the Jets opponent next week -- freaking Oakland. It was at that point I said to myself, "our season is over" if the Jets win tonight.

Of course, that would suggest the Bengals would win next week and make one last hurray before packing it in this season. And the way they've self-destructed this season (especially against good teams), I don't have that feeling they can pull it off.

Back to the playoffs. The NFC East is the only division that hasn't been claimed. The Eagles beat the Cowboys Sunday -- and even though they have the same record, the Eagles are #1 in the East because they swept Dallas. The second wild card spot is sad. That will be won by a team with an 8-8 record. Chicago and New Orleans have claimed the first round byes and only the NFC East could change hands.

The seeding for the AFC is up in the air. There's a chance if the Chargers lose and Baltimore wins, the Ravens would be the #1 seed. But all the divisions in the AFC are claimed. Denver and the Jets are in the captain's chair for their post season plans.

Anyway, let's breakdown the final playoff scenarios heading into the final week, per team on what they can do -- or already have done.

AFC CLINCHED
San Diego - West Division and a first-round bye
Indianapolis - South Division
Baltimore - North Division
New England - East Division

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Chargers can clinch homefield advantage with:
1. Win
2. Baltimore loss

BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens can clinch homefield advantage with:
1. Baltimore win and San Diego loss

The Ravens can clinch a first-round bye with:
1. Win
2. Indianapolis loss

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts can clinch a first round bye with:
1. Win and Ravens loss

DENVER BRONCOS
Broncos can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win
2. Chiefs loss

NEW YORK JETS
The Jets can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win
2. Bengals and Jaguars loss.
3. Bengals loss/tie and a Titans win.
4. Broncos and Jaguars loss.

CINCINNATI BENGALS
Cincinnati can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win and a Jets loss.
2. Win and a Broncos and Chiefs loss.

TENNESSEE TITANS
Tennessee can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win plus Bengals loss/tie and Broncos loss and Chiefs win

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jacksonville can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win with a Jets loss and Bengals loss/tie and Titans loss/tie.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win plus a Bengals loss/tie and a Broncos loss and a Titans loss/tie.

NFC CLINCHED
Chicago - North Division and homefield advantage
New Orleans - South Division
Seattle - West Division
Dallas - Playoff berth

NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans can clinch a first-round bye with:
1. Win
2. Cowboys loss
3. Cowboys and Saints tie.

DALLAS COWBOYS
Dallas can clinch the division with:
1. Win and an Eagles loss or tie
2. Tie and an Eagles loss

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philadelphia can clinch the division with:
1. Win
2. Cowboys loss
3. Cowboys and Eagles tie

NEW YORK GIANTS
New York can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win plus Giants clinch strength of victory tie-breaker over the Packers
2. Win and a Green Bay loss/tie
3. Tie and Packers loss/tie and Rams loss/tie and Falcons loss/tie and Panthers loss/tie
4. Packers loss and Rams loss and Falcons loss and Panthers loss

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green Bay can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win and Giants win and Packers clinches strength of victory tie-breaker over the Giants
2. Win and Giants loss/tie and Rams loss/tie
3. Win and Giants loss/tie and Panthers win
4. Win and Giants loss/tie and Falcons win
5. Win and Giants and Rams loss and Falcons and Panthers loss/tie

CAROLINA PANTERS
Carolina can clinch a playoff berth with
1. Win and Packers and Giants loss/tie.
2. Tie and Giants, Packers loss and Rams and Falcons loss/tie

ATLANTA FALCONS
Atlanta can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win and Panthers, Packers and Giants loss/tie.
2. Atlanta tie and Panthers, Packers, Giants and Rams loss.

ST. LOUIS RAMS
St. Louis can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Win and Giants, Panthers and Falcons loss/tie
2. Tie and Giants, Panthers, Falcons and Packers loss.

With two weeks left in the season, 24 teams are still eligible to make the playoffs. That's the second most ever since the NFL went to a 16 game schedule -- 26 teams in 2004.

Here's the NFL playoff landscape, provided by NFL Media.