A day full of self-destruction by a few of the alleged playoff contenders now sets the stage for 3 replays of Week 17 games in the Wild Card round this coming weekend.  Before we talk about these games, what happened to these teams in 2009?

Denver Broncos

Undefeated in their 1^st 6 games had them thinking playoffs in October, only to go 2-8 (including a sporty 0-4 record down the home stretch) the rest of the way.  And getting trounced by the Chiefs at home in the finale was the topping on the cake of a miserable season, plus eliminated them from the playoffs.  Blizzard conditions in the front office…

New Orleans Saints

Undefeated in their 1^st 13 games and talk of a 19-0 season led to a Big Meltdown in the Big Easy and they ended the season with a 3-game losing streak (the Big Ouch).  They still hold the #1 seed in the NFC, but others are definitely playing better football right now.  Mardi Gras may well be the next celebration in Cajun country…

San Diego Chargers

Winners of 11 straight.  Need we say any more?  Traveling secretary better get going on team airline reservations for Miami this February…

Indianapolis Colts

Another one that started undefeated for a long time (14-0), only to cruise down the home stretch 0-2 in their final 2 games.  Who will they find a way to lose to in the playoffs?  Looking for that magic elixir…

Pittsburgh Steelers

From Super Bowl champs to chumps; they will be on the other end of the TV for the playoffs this year.  What a difference a year can make (yes – losing key players to injuries, trades and free agency does hurt).  Can you believe they need to beef up the D this coming year?  Calls are out to Mean Joe Greene, Jack Ham and Mel Blount…

New York Football Giants (I guess New Yorkers have forgotten that the New York Baseball Giants left town and headed west in the 1950’s)

What a collapse, losing their last 3 and going 8-8.  And they think the new stadium is gonna help next year?  Better days were at the Polo Grounds…

Cleveland Browns

Although they won their last 4 games to finish with a 5-11 record, this team will not bode well with new GM Mike Holmgren.  A “couple” tweaks needed here to put a decent team on the field.  Ditto for St. Louis (1-15), Tampa Bay (3-13) and perennial cellar dweller Detroit (2-14).  Cavs are in 1^st…

Buffalo Bills

Clobbering the Colts taxi squad this past weekend made for decent 6-10 season.  A “couple” tweaks also needed on the playing field beyond the full house cleaning of the coaching staff this week.  Maybe Mike Vick at QB to hit the always open T.O.?  Sabres are in 1^st…

Washington Deadskins

You would think with all that money they would be able to do a little better than 4-12.  More deficit spending may not be the answer in the nation’s capital.  “Hey, Barack, is there a Department of Coaching in your cabinet?”  I think there will be an available ex-coach pretty soon…

WILD CARD WEEKEND GAMES

Well, there are 3 rematches from Week 17 on tap this coming weekend, so don’t think you have your DVR playing as you watch all the action.

NY Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals (4:30pm Saturday)

OK, so the Jets trounced the Bagels in the regular season finale, 37-0, to make the playoffs.  They also won 5 of their last 6 and now have to go to Ohio with a QB that has no playoff experience.  The Bengals won only 2 of their last 5 and the D will again be suspect against the Jets running game.  Can Cedric Benson make that much difference for the Bengals?  The Jets had a winning record on the road.  Look for an upset here, as the Jets have a lot confidence and better players at key positions.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (8:00pm Saturday)

Dallas seems to be running on all cylinders right now and is as healthy as they have been all season.  Tony Romo is starting to get in a winning groove, too.  Winning their last 3 games was impressive.  Will the Eagles learn anything from last week’s 24-0 pasting in the $562 trillion stadium?  If you don’t think so, I’ll take the Eagles and 24 points, thank you…  They had won 6 in a row until last week and they do usually step it up a notch or two in the playoffs.  This one could be very, very interesting.

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots (1:00pm Sunday)

Who is Pete the Terp going to pick in this one?  Although he roots for the Ravens, his HSBT experience would suggest he doesn’t have a lot of faith in them during the playoffs.  They did go 0-7 against teams that are in the playoffs.  You would think the Pats are a shoo-in, but without Wes Welker ( 472 catches during the regular season) and a banged-up Tom Brady, who knows.  Are you smelling a Ravens upset victory, even though the Pats were undefeated at home this year?

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (4:40pm Sunday)

The 3^rd and final Week 17 rematch.  Which Cardinals team will show up?  Anquan Boldin is questionable, but Kurt Warner has plenty of other receivers.  Plus, they played only 3 games against playoff teams this season.  The Pack is playing their best football of the season and were 3^rd in the league with 461 points, while winning 7 of their last 8.  You gotta like the Packers chances of going 2-0 against the Cardinals over the last 2 weeks, right?