The NFL third-quarter review

December 4, 2008

The NFL third-quarter review

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Three quarters of the NFL regular season have been played and we head into what should be an exciting fourth quarter. Nineteen teams are in strong contention for postseason play.

The Giants, Titans, Cardinals and Broncos each have three-game leads in their divisions and are on the verge of clinching. They'll be jockeying for position in the home stretch for the best seedings.

The other four division races are a lot closer. The Steelers, Jets and Vikings each have one-game leads and the NFC South is extremely close. The Panthers and Bucs are tied with 9-3 records and will face each other Monday night, with the Falcons on their heels and only a game behind them at 8-4.

Here's a look at the current standings, remaining schedules and the remaining strengths of schedule.

AFC division leaders:

Tennessee Titans (11-1) Browns, Texans, Steelers, Colts 26-22 (.542)

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) Cowboys, Ravens, Titans, Browns 31-17 (.646)

New York Jets (8-4) 49ers, Bills, Seahawks, Dolphins 19-29 (.396)

Denver Broncos (7-5) Chiefs, Panthers, Bills, Chargers 21-27 (.438)

AFC wildcard contenders:

Indianapolis Colts (8-4) Bengals, Lions, Jaguars, Titans 16-31-1 (.344)

Baltimore Ravens (8-4) Redskins, Steelers, Cowboys, Jaguars 28-20 (.583)

New England Patriots (7-5) Seahawks, Raiders, Cardinals, Bills 18-30 (.375)

Miami Dolphins (7-5) Bills, 49ers, Chiefs, Jets 20-28 (.417)

Buffalo Bills (6-6) Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, Patriots 29-19 (.604)

NFC division leaders:

New York Giants (11-1) Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Vikings 30-17-1 (.635)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) Panthers, Falcons, Chargers, Raiders 24-24 (.500)

Minnesota Vikings (7-5) Lions, Cardinals, Falcons, Giants 26-22 (.542)

Arizona Cardinals (7-5) Rams, Vikings, Patriots, Seahawks 18-30 (.375)

NFC wildcard contenders:

Carolina Panthers (9-3) Buccaneers, Broncos, Giants, Saints 33-15 (.688)

Atlanta Falcons (8-4) Saints, Buccaneers, Vikings, Rams 24-24 (.500)

Dallas Cowboys (8-4) Steelers, Giants, Ravens, Eagles 34-13-1 (.719)

Washington Redskins (7-5) Ravens, Bengals, Eagles, 49ers 19-27-2 (.417)

Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) Giants, Browns, Redskins, Cowboys 30-18 (.625)

Chicago Bears (6-6) Jaguars, Saints, Packers, Texans 20-28 (.417)

The Bears are included above not so much because they have an outside shot at a wildcard berth, but because they trail the Vikings by only one game in the NFC North.

The big game this week will be Monday night when the Bucs and Panthers vie for the NFC South lead. Other games between teams in playoff contention are the Giants vs Eagles, Bills vs Dolphins, Steelers vs Cowboys and Ravens vs Redskins. By Tuesday, we'll have a much better idea of how the races are shaping up. Then we'll be ready to get down to the real nut-cutting.

Conspicuous by their absence:

The Seahawks, Chargers, Packers and Jaguars were all in the playoffs last season. Only the Packers, who trail both the Vikings and Bears in the NFC North, have a slim chance to make a repeat appearance.

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