Each year, I like to grade the teams for the season.  I normally share them with my friends and family, just because it's fun to get opinions and reactions.  So, this year, I am sharing my insight with my blogger family.  Tell me what your grades are, or what you disagree with:

A's- Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals.  We all know why Indy gets an A.  13 weeks before their first loss.  Denver is under the radar for some reason.  No one is talking about them or taking them seriously.  Yet we hear about 5th and 6th seeds Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.  Give Denver the recognition they deserve.  Seattle caught a couple of breaks.  But in the end, wins and losses are all that matter.  I don't know too many people, other then Seahawks fans, that thought they would rise to the occasion this year.  But they look like they are for real.  And Cincy gets my A, simply because it's been a long time (since 1990, to be exact) since they've gone to the playoffs.  Marvin Lewis has done a great job at making this team believe in themselves.

B's- Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NY Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins.  The Jags really stepped up their game this year.  Jack Del Rio doesn't get enough credit.  He plays a big role in this team's success.  Da Bears came up a year early.  No one expected them to be as good as they are this season.  But with that kind of defense, almost any team can be that good.  Tampa Bay has finally found it's way back into the postseason.  Kudos to Cadillac Williams on getting the OROY award.  The Giants have playedfairly well this season.  I didn't expect them to play as well, I must admit.  Eli hadn't played an entire year last season, yet he started out very well.  But once the season progressed, Eli has regressed some.  Don't know how far this team will get to the playoffs with his shaky play as of late.  The Steelers were once written off during the season, with a 3 game losing streak.  Since then, they have won 4 straight and are hot like fire going into the playoffs.  New England never ceases to amaze me.  Once left for dead, they are now going to the playoffs with a 10-6 record.  Makes me wonder what their record would be with the defense from their Week 1 roster?  Washington has really taken a positive turn.  Their offense now compliments their defense, thanks to Santana Moss.  They need to have a parade in his honor.  This team would not have as many wins if he was not on their roster, plain and simple.  Kansas City played hard all the way to the end.  Too bad for them, there aren't enough spots for the playoffs.  10-6 won't get you in the playoffs.  Amazing.  And Larry "Grandma-ma" Johnson has had people in KC thinking, "Priest who?".  I'm really disappointed in Carolina's inconsistency, but they have showed people they have what it takes to be a serious contender at times.  Now, we'll see which team shows up this weekend.  Miami gets my B, simply because I had no clue they would end up with a 9-7 record.  I should've listened to Jimmy Johnson when he said they weren't going to be as bad as people thought.

C's- Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns.  Dallas should be ashamed of themselves.  They underachieved for much of the season, starting with Week 2 against Washington. I just don't think they ever recovered totally from that.  I commend Minnesota for getting through the boat scandal, and coming out playing hard.  They were in the playoff hunt until Week 16 after having a 1-4 start.  Cleveland gets a D in actual play, but an A in effort in my book.  I, for one, didn't expect them to win 6 games this year.

D's- San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, NY Jets, St. Louis Rams .  What do all of these teams have in common?  All of them were mentioned playoff contenders before the 2005 season.  None of them are in the playoffs.  San Diego beat themselves week after week, Baltimore just underachieved the whole season, Atlanta isn't who we thought they were (FYI- Neither is Vick), Philly had the injury to McNabb and the T.O. situation spin out of control, Buffalo looked lost (and kinda dumb for releasing Bledsoe and handing the job over to Losman), the Jets had a lot of injuries that they couldn't overcome, and St. Louis is a circus, with the whole Martz story.  Hopefully, these teams will get it together for the 2006 season.

F's- Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans-  All of these teams need to get a clue.  Green Bay had way too many injuries, and Brett played too erratic.  That, along with the firing of Sherman (who only had one bad season, this season) looks like GB has a long road ahead.  Houston and San Fran, bless you.  I don't know when (or if) you will get it together.  New Orleans was dealt a bad hand, but I don't recall them being good prior to Katrina.  Oakland had way too many offensive weapons to have a 4-12 record.  Detroit and Arizona have bad people in high places in their organizations, so who knows when they will get it right.  Tennessee has the best promise, simply because they have a great coach, good players and a system they believe in.  Now, about that Pac Man Jones........................

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Okay, so the playoffs are finally here.  I hope your favorite team made it.  If not, then you're like me.  Watching it for the love of the sport.  Here is my predictions for this weekend.:

Washington at Tampa Bay(-2.5)-  This will be a nice rematch of the game the 2 teams played in Week 10.  TB squeaked out that win 36-35, with a daring 2-point conversion.  But it was a good game to watch.  Both teams have a good defense.  But Washington has played a lot better in offense in recent weeks.  Both teams have a good running game, but Washington's passing game has improved week by week.  Chris Simms had a horrible game 3 weeks ago against  NE, but the team has rebounded nicely, winning their last two.  Washington has been on fire, winning their last five.  I just think Washington is coming in with a swagger that Tampa won't be able to break.  Washington 28, Tampa Bay 16

Jacksonville at New England(-8)-  Okay.  I'm gonna keep this short and sweet.  I don't know how good the Jags can do with Leftwich coming back.  I think Leftwich is a durable QB, but he's not on the same level as #12 on the opposing sideline.  I've gone against New England their first 2 Super Bowl wins.  I started a trend last year that I would pick them as long as they are in the playoffs. Not going against my trend.  Pats 24, Jags 17

Carolina at NY Giants(-2.5)- As I said earlier, Manning is not consistent enough for me to believe that this team is a real playoff contender yet.  They defenitely have what it takes, but there are a few bonehead decisions that have been made to put a big ? on this team in my book.  I think Carolina is ready to show people that they are ready and willing to play to go deep into the playoffs.  While I predict that they will win this game, I'm not sure if they will win any more.  Panthers 33, G-Men 20

Pittsburgh(-3) at Cincinnati- Cincinatti has cooled off a little in previous weeks, while Pittsburgh looks like they can't be stopped.  My husband is a Steelers fan, and he said he doesn't want the Steelers to go to Cincy to play.  But I had to remind him that the Steelers beat Cincy IN Cincy.  I really don't see the difference with this game.  Although Cincy got an A from me as far as the season went, I think their playoff hopes stop here.  Too many players on the Steelers want to get to Detroit, because this may be their last chance.  Although I must say, I can't wait to see what Chad Johnson has in store for us if he scores a TD.  Steelers 34, Bengals 27