The Washington Redskins (9-6), left for dead just a month ago, make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 with a victory, and they would play for the division title if the Giants lost to the Raiders last night.
The Redskins have scored 35 points in two straight games and they have won four straight. The Philadelphia Eagles (6-9), who couldn't beat the Redskins when Donovan McNabb was still active, lost last week to the Cardinals and have almost no chance here against on the hottest teams in the league.
If there is suspense here, it is over how much Mark Brunell, who suffered a knee injury last week against the Giants, will play and whether the Redskins will go with Patrick Ramsey, who lost his starting job in the season opener. That game seems like a long time ago for a team that started hot, fell apart, and now has regrouped behind the running of Clinton Portis. Portis has had four straight 100-yard rushing games.
The once formidable Eagles defense is now ranked 20th in the league against the run. Still, the Eagles, who expected so much more from this season, would love nothing more than to spoil their hated rival's playoff chances and that is what gives this game its frisson of electricity.
"The fact that these guys aren't in the playoffs really doesn't mean anything," said Redskins assistant coach Gregg Williams. "They want to finish strong. We can't afford to not play out best game, especially coming down the stretch."
That won't be a problem and the Redskins figure to be a dangerous team in the playoffs, especially if they are the Giants' first round opponent.
St. Louis (5-10) at Dallas (9-6)
If the Panthers and Redskins win, this game is meaningless before it starts. But if either of them falter, the Cowboys win the wild card with a victory.
The Rams will give the Cowboys all the help they can -- this is the team that has lost twice to the Niners this season, after all.
Running back Julius Jones, who had 194 yards last week against Carolina, won't find many roadblocks in a Rams defense that is ranked 30th against the run. It might be too little, too late, though.
Carolina (10-5) at Atlanta (8-7)
Atlanta's late-season collapse (they've lost five of the last seven and have been eliminated from race for the playoffs) has taken some of the luster off this game.
The Panthers are coming off a terrible loss to the Cowboys at home last week, and they're 1-9 at the Georgia Dome, but they're in with a victory here.
Carolina beat Atlanta 24-6 in week 13 and that's when the Falcons still had something to play for. Carolina could get in even with a loss, but they won't have to worry about that.
Cincinnati (11-4) at
Kansas City (9-6)
The Chiefs are clinging to a playoff opportunity, but they have to win and then hope for Pittsburgh and San Diego losses to get in. The Chiefs have the league's hottest rusher, with Larry Johnson rolling up eight consecutive 100-yard games.
They may get a break because the Bengals have already locked up the AFC North and will likely rest some of their starters and Arrowhead Stadium, at which the Chiefs have won 18 in a row in December, is the best home field advantage in the league.
New Orleans (3-12) at
Tampa Bay (10-5)
A disastrous season, in which the Saints have lost 10 of their last 11, is finally ending, perfect timing for the Bucs, who win the NFC South with a victory here, and will get in as a wild card through a number of scenarios even with a loss.
Rookie running back Cadillac Williams has six 100-yard rushing games this season and he'll encounter little resistance from the Saints, whose run defense is 27th in the league.
The Bucs have beaten Atlanta and Carolina in two of the last three weeks and other than a pounding by the Patriots, they look impressive heading into the playoffs.
Detroit (5-10) at Pittsburgh (10-5)
The Steelers, who are in the playoffs as a wild card with a victory, have won three in a row by a combined score of 80-12.
That sounds like typical Steelers defense in January, and the Lions, who struggle with the run on the best of days, have injuries to their running backs.
That's bad news when you're facing the league's second-ranked defense against the run (84.2 yards). The Lions just want a miserable season to end so they can figure out who their next coach and quarterback will be.
Arizona (5-10) at
Indianapolis (13-2)
The Colts have lost their last two, but a grieving Tony Dungy returns to the sideline and in an otherwise meaningless game, that will be plenty of motivation for the Colts' backups, who should send the team into their bye week with a feel-good victory.
Baltimore (6-9) at Cleveland (5-10)
The Ravens are 0-7 on the road this season, but quarterback Kyle Boller, who has four touchdowns in the past two road games, is probably playing for his job.
After a dismal start, the Ravens have won four of the past five, assuring Brian Billick of returning next season.
Buffalo (5-10) at Jets (3-12)
Jets' fans want one thing only out of this game: a loss, so that the Jets have a chance at USC running back Reggie Bush with the first overall pick in the draft.
They'll probably get their wish about losing, because defensive linemen Shaun Ellis and Dewayne Robertson won't play, and Buffalo running back Willis McGahee will roll.
Miami (8-7) at New England (10-5)
The Dolphins want to finish with a winning record, but the Patriots, who have already secured their playoff spot, will use a revitalized Patriots defense will hound Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte and the Patriots will enter the playoffs on a five-game winning streak.
A Patriots win combined with a Bengals loss gives the Patriots the third playoff seed.
Seattle (13-2) at Green Bay (3-12)
How fitting it would be if Brett Favre's career concludes against his former coach Mike Holmgren, whose Seahawks have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Two years ago, Favre and the Packers beat the Seahawks in overtime in the playoffs, but that's when Favre had plenty of help around him. How quickly things change.
Houston (2-13) at
San Francisco (3-12)
The only person in America who should be watching this game is USC running back Reggie Bush, because it will help determine where he'll play next year if he enters the draft. The final indignity to a dreadful season for the Texans would be a victory here.
Tennessee (4-11) at
Jacksonville (11-4)
This is a tune-up game for the Jaguars, who have won seven of their last eight and have quarterback Byron Leftwich healthy and backup David Garrard (3-1 as a starter) playing well as they prepare for what could be a first-round meeting with the Patriots.
Chicago (11-4) at Minnesota (8-7)
With nothing on the line, the Bears are likely to rest many of their starters, including quarterback Rex Grossman, who has played just six quarters since returning from a broken ankle, which he sustained in preseason action.
The Bears have a first-round bye, plenty of time to get Grossman all the practice he needs.
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