The NFL season is going to come down to a battle of the Patriots and Colts on either the weekend of January 7^th/8^th or 14^th/15^th (For those of you who are sure it will happen in the division round, how sure are you that Pittsburgh, San Diego or Kansas City can’t win a game in Denver or Cincinnati? Yeah, thought so).  Whoever wins that battle will be crowned the Super Bowl XL champion; there is no reason to debate that fact.  It has become as annual as the Cowboys vs. 49ers were in the early 1990’s; when these teams meet in January, the Lomardi trophy can’t be far behind.

I know that astute observers are wondering, much as the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry USED to be thought, how can a hammer have a rivalry with a nail?  The Pats postseason success against the Colts is so absolute that the Colts have never gotten close enough to the trophy that one day will honor the current patriots head coach to feel its glare?  Why?  Because each of the past two seasons, the AFC Championship game in January 2004 and the Division Round in January 2005, it is when the Pats beat the Colts that they new the championship was theirs (last year had as much to do with the Steelers and Cheeselessburger’s awful performance the night before the Pats/Colts game against the Doug Brien led Jets).

Obviously, to analyze this game, we have to go back to the night of November 7^th, when the Colts whipped up on a hobbled Patriots squad 40-21 in Massachusetts.  Two things about that game (1) If Corey Dillon doesn’t fumble right before the half, which had the effect of a 14-point swing, we may have had an entirely different game in the second half and (2) The Patriots defensive backs were incapable of stopping the Colts on the somewhat slower tracked than the defacto Super Bowl will be played on (RCA Dome).

Patriots’ defensive coordinator Eric Mangini blitzed very infrequently throughout the long night, as he did throughout the early season, and actually left Pats DBs exposed as Peyton Manning never had a hand on him all night and had all the time in the world to pick them apart.  That has changed in recent weeks as the Patriots amoeba like front seven is playing like they have been in the rejuvenation machine.

Oh, I almost forgot, Richard Seymour didn’t play that night.  Seymour’s presence is huge because his ability to consistently occupy and, many times, beat two blockers creates the angles and lanes the Patriots transcendent linebacking corps of Rosey Colvin, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and old man winter, Willie McGinest, use to make their jail break.  In fact, it was the Colts game where Colvin took the first steps toward being the edge rusher the Pats signed away from the Bears two and a half years ago. 

Home field?  Does even the most ardent anti-Patriot fan (yes, I mean you Skip Bayless) really believe that it matters where Tom Brady surgically dissects the opposing defense?  No, it will start with the Patriots front seven to play like the Chargers did on Sunday.  A scheme that was created in the Patriots imagine, with personnel acquisition (i.e. defensive ends who morph to edge rushing linebackers) tips right out of the Belichick/Pioli playbook.  Oh yeah, and Marty’s minions did it on the same RCA turf that the Pats will attempt to do it on in three to four weeks.

If the front seven plays their game, it ultimately will come down to the Patriots DBs stepping up to the level of the Chargers on Sunday or the Pats of the past two January slayings of the Colts.  Obviously, if Rodney Harrison were back there, New Englanders would already be getting the extra parka in tow to descend upon Motown.  But no one recovers, teaches and overcomes better than Belichick and whereas last week this writer couldn’t imagine them walking off the RCA turf with the upset, on this day it is hard to imagine them not doing it.

Greg

Predictions for the final three weeks of the NFL season for the 18 remaining teams (nine AFC and nine NFC) and playoff seedings with help from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band:

The My Best Was Never Good Enough Division: Teams left out in the very, very, very cold –

American Football Conference

Miami Dolphins

Current Record: 6-7 (Overall), 4-5 (Conference-AFC), 1-3 (Division-AFC East)

Remaining: Jets (Win), Titans (Win), at Patriots (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 9-7 (Overall), 7-5 (Conference-AFC), 3-3 (Division-AFC East)

Boss’ Skinny: Better Days coming in Miami.

 San Diego Chargers

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 6-3 (Conference-AFC), 3-1 (Division-AFC West)

Remaining: at Colts (Win), at Chiefs (Loss), Broncos (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 10-6 (Overall), 8-4 (Conference-AFC), 4-2 (Division-AFC West)

Boss’ Skinny: Chargers overcome NFL’s toughest schedule, but take One Step Up and two steps back in AFC West.

 Pittsburgh Steelers

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 6-5 (Conference-AFC), 3-2 (Division-AFC North)

Remaining: at Vikings (Win), at Browns (Loss), Detroit (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 11-5 (Overall), 6-6 (Conference-AFC), 3-3 (Division-AFC North)

Boss’ Skinny: Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?  If 82nd Street is short of the playoffs, then yes.

National Football Conference

Washington Redskins

Current Record: 7-6 (Overall), 7-2 (Conference-NFC), 2-1 (Division-NFC East)

Remaining: Cowboys (Loss), Giants (Loss), at Eagles (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 8-8 (Overall), 8-4 (Conference-NFC), 3-3 (Division-NFC East)

Boss’ Skinny: Someone is standing on the Redskins’ sidelines in a Brilliant Disguise of Joe Gibbs.

 Atlanta Falcons

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 5-4 (Conference-NFC), 2-2 (Division-NFC South)

Remaining: at Bears (Loss), at Buccaneers (Loss), Panthers (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 9-7 (Overall), 6-6 (Conference-NFC), 3-3 (Division-NFC South)

Boss’ Skinny: It’s The Price You Pay by putting your star in harm’s way and missing too much time.

 Dallas Cowboys

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 6-3 (Conference-NFC), 3-2 (Division-NFC East)

Remaining: at Redskins (Win), at Panthers (Loss), Rams (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 10-6 (Overall), 7-5 (Conference-NFC), 4-2 (Division-NFC East)

Boss’ Skinny: “America’s Team” maybe Born in the USA, but they can’t break the Ties That Bind in their favor and lose on common opponents to the Vikings, 4-1 vs. 3-2.

The Roll of the Dice Division: The Wildcards –

American Football Conference

6. Kansas City Chiefs

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 7-3 (Conference-AFC), 3-2 (Division-AFC West)

Remaining: at Giants (Win), Chargers (Win), Bengals (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 11-5 (Overall), 9-3 (Conference-AFC), 4-2 (Division-AFC West)

Boss’ Skinny: #### Vermeil extended The Long Goodbye by running the table after an upset over the Giants in the Meadowlands this Sunday.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Current Record: 9-4 (Overall), 7-3 (Conference-AFC), 2-2 (Division-AFC South)

Remaining: 49ers (Win), at Texans (Win), Titans (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 12-4 (Overall), 9-3 (Conference-AFC), 4-2 (Division-AFC South)

Boss’ Skinny: The Jaguars will have to Prove It All Night in the playoffs to justify that their gaudy record wasn’t just do to their cream puff schedule.

National Football Conference

6. Minnesota Vikings

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 7-4 (Conference-NFC), 4-1 (Division-NFC North)

Remaining: Steelers (Loss), at Ravens (Win), Bears (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 10-6 (Overall), 8-4 (Conference-NFC), 5-1 (Division-NFC North)

Boss’ Skinny: The Vikings recover from their cruise through the Tunnel of Love to grab the NFC’s last Wildcard spot.

5. Carolina Panthers

Current Record: 9-4 (Overall), 6-3 (Conference-NFC), 2-2 (Division-NFC South)

Remaining: at Saints (Win), Cowboys (Win), at Falcons (Loss)

Predicted Final Record: 11-5 (Overall), 8-4 (Conference-NFC), 3-3 (Division-NFC South)

Boss’ Skinny: Watch out NFC, Kitty’s Back.

The Glory Days Division: The Divisions Winners –

American Football Conference

4. New England Patriots

Current Record: 8-5 (Overall), 6-4 (Conference-AFC), 4-0 (Division-AFC East)

Remaining: Buccaneers (Win), at Jets (Win), Dolphins (Loss)

Predicted Final Record: 10-6 (Overall), 7-5 (Conference-AFC), 3-3 (Division-AFC East)

Boss’ Skinny: Bill Belichick continues to do it with Spare Parts; but with all respect to Doug Flutie, he can't do it with a spare quarterback.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Current Record: 10-3 (Overall), 7-3 (Conference-AFC), 5-1 (Division-AFC North)

Remaining: at Lions (Win), Bills (Win), at Chiefs (Loss)

Predicted Final Record: 12-4 (Overall), 8-4 (Conference-AFC), 5-1 (Division-AFC North)

Boss’ Skinny: Who dey?  It’s been a Long Time Comin’ in Cincinnati.

 2. Denver Broncos

Current Record: 10-3 (Overall), 7-2 (Conference-AFC), 3-1 (Division-AFC West)

Remaining: at Bills (Win), Raiders (Win), at Chiefs (Loss)

Predicted Final Record: 12-4 (Overall), 9-3 (Conference-AFC), 4-2 (Division-AFC West)

Boss’ Skinny: Shannahan and the Broncos offense are Born to Run, doesn’t matter who is carrying the ball.

 1. Indianapolis Colts

Current Record: 13-0 (Overall), 11-0 (Conference-AFC), 6-0 (Division-AFC South)

Remaining: Chargers (Loss), at Seahawks (Loss), Cardinals (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 14-2 (Overall), 11-1 (Conference-AFC), 6-0 (Division-AFC South)

Boss’ Skinny: Tony Dungy is a Cautious Man and is hinting too loudly at resting his players.

National Football Conference

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Current Record: 9-4 (Overall), 7-3 (Conference-NFC), 3-1 (Division-NFC South)

Remaining: at Patriots (Loss), Falcons (Win), Saints (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 11-5 (Overall), 9-3 (Conference-NFC), 5-1 (Division-NFC South)

Boss’ Skinny: It will be great to see the Two Faces (or more) of Jon Gruden back in the playoffs.

 3. New York Giants

Current Record: 9-4 (Overall), 8-3 (Conference-NFC), 4-1 (Division-NFC East)

Remaining: Chiefs (Loss), at Redskins (Win), at Raiders (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 11-5 (Overall), 9-3 (Conference-NFC), 5-1 (Division-NFC East)

Boss’ Skinny: Eli Manning will sing his New York City Serenade all the way to the Division Round.

2. Chicago Bears

Current Record: 9-4 (Overall), 8-1 (Conference-NFC), 4-0 (Division-NFC North)

Remaining: Falcons (Win), at Packers (Win), at Vikings (Loss)

Predicted Final Record: 11-5 (Overall), 10-2 (Conference-NFC), 5-1 (Division-NFC East)

Boss’ Skinny: Da Bears are where they are because their defense is Tougher Than the Rest.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Current Record: 11-2 (Overall), 10-1 (Conference-NFC), 6-0 (Division-NFC West)

Remaining: at Titans (Win), Colts (Win), at Packers (Win)

Predicted Final Record: 14-2 (Overall), 11-1 (Conference-NFC), 6-0 (Division-NFC West)

Boss’ Skinny: The hottest team in football entering the playoffs wants it All or Nothin’ at All.