But that is not always the case and teams that do in fact have something to play for lay an egg on their way to the postseason. Many of the mighty have fallen, but can hold their heads up at the end of the day because they have earned the right to live another one.

The New England Patriots, who already had the AFC East sewn up, also could have clinched the number three seed in the AFC with a win at Houston, but the Texans kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 34-27 win. Unfortunately, wideout Wes Welker was lost for the season and quarterback Tom Brady is banged up.

The first-seeded Indianapolis Colts dropped their second straight after coming out of the gate with 14 consecutive victories, following up a home loss to the New York Jets with a 30-7 pasting at the hands of the Bills in Buffalo. San Diego, the number-two seed in the conference, held on to beat the hapless Redskins by a field goal.

The Baltimore Ravens clinched a berth in the next round by narrowly edging the Raiders in northern California, and the Jets closed out Giants Stadium with a blowout win over the Bengals, setting up another meeting of the two teams next weekend in Cincy.

In the NFC, New Orleans maintained the top seed even though they lost their third straight. Quite a difference from when they were challenging the unbeaten streak 13 weeks into the campaign. The Vikings also earned a bye with their 44-7 whitewashing of the New York Giants, who finished with only three wins in their last 11 games after a hot start.

In a battle for the third seed and the NFC East crown, the Cowboys shout out the Eagles – who are going in as the final seed – in Dig D, and the Cardinals took a beating at the hands of their opponent next week, the fifth-seeded Green Bay Packers, when the rematch comes back to the desert.

Photo by William J. Hauser

Well, maybe the Detroit Lions can make plans for the beginning of February.

Don’t go out to Las Vegas just yet with these predictions, but we’ll take a look at them after New Year’s Day to see how accurate they were.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2008 record: 11-5) After barely missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker with a back-up quarterback the entire season sans the first quarter of the opening game, the Pats are an angry bunch looking for redemption. Tom Brady is back and if he stays healthy, expect this team to dominate again. PREDICTION: 13-3, division winner, Super Bowl champions.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (2008 record: 11-5) Their 10-game improvement was the story of the last regular season but a one-and-done in the playoffs didn’t make head honcho Bill Parcells too happy. Chad Pennington is good for another double-digit season in wins but expect the Fish to take a step back, especially with the Wildcat offense not catching anybody off guard this year. PREDICTION: 9-7

NEW YORK JETS (2008 record: 9-7) Good riddance, Brett Favre, hello Mark Sanchez. Gang Green will be going with a rookie quarterback and head coach so there will be some growing pains. Rex Ryan has the right attitude but will need some time to get them back to the playoffs. PREDICTION: 6-10

BUFFALO BILLS (2008 record: 7-9) Anyone want to take a guess how long before Terrell Owens rips apart this locker room? The mercurial wide receiver is not the right fit for this team and will delay the progress of young quarterback Trent Edwards. PREDICTION: 6-10

AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2008 record: 12-4) The defending Super Bowl champions will not repeat but will be a factor, no less. Big Ben is as steady as they come and their defense is always special. PREDICTION: 11-5, division winner.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (2008 record: 11-5) Joey Flacco played extremely well as a rookie and ran the conservative offense well. They lost linebacker Bart Scott in free agency to the Jets but resigned Ray Lewis, who may have one more good run left in him. PREDICTION: 10-6, wild card team.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2008 record: 4-11-1) Typical Eric Mangini. His secret-squirrel methods seem to have been taken up a notch by the new head coach choosing to keep his starting quarterback’s identity a secret nearly until the offense jogs out on the field for their first series. This is not a good football team that has had questionable drafts of late, leaving them void of quality starters and depth. Great fans, though. PREDICTION: 5-11

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2008 record: 4-12) What will it take to pull the plug on Marvin Lewis? The Bungles have been consistently bad on the field, off the field and in the locker room. They are the old Trailblazers of the NFL. At least Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him Ochocinco) will be interesting and have some fun. PREDICTION: 4-12

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2008 record: 12-4) Peyton Manning has still got that zip on his ball and will carry the Colts on his back. The mainstays are getting a little up there but they should be able to stay healthy enough for a successful campaign. PREDICTION: 11-5, division winner.

TENNESSEE TITANS (2008 record: 13-3) A 10-0 start to the season put the former Houston Oilers on a path to the playoffs. Expect them to go down a notch or two with the likelihood of Kerry Collins coming back down to earth a bit. Also, the free agent defection of Albert Haynesworth will hurt the defense. PREDICTION: 10-6, wild card team.

HOUSTON TEXANS (2008 record: 8-8) Slowly but surely, this franchise is headed in the right direction. They have a talented young defense and seem to be content with Matt Schaub at quarterback. They still are at least a year away from making the postseason. PREDICTION: 8-8

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2008 record: 5-11) The Jags took a big step back last season. Were they as bad as their record showed? Maybe not, but as Bill Parcells always said you are what you are. David Garrard is a player and head coach Jack Del Rio looks good in a suit. PREDICTION: 7-9

AFC WEST

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (2008 record: 8-8) The Bolts pulled out a miracle playoff berth last year after a rough start. With Phillip Rivers and LT, they should run away with the weakest division in football. PREDICTION: 12-4, division winner.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2008 record: 2-14) The rebuilding has begun and Arrowhead Stadium will not be a happy place this winter. We will find out if Matt Cassel is a legitimate starting quarterback in this league or if he was merely a product of a good system in New England. PREDICTION: 6-10

OAKLAND RAIDERS (2008 record: 5-11) This may be JaMarcus Russell’s last chance at proving that he is not a complete bust. The former overall number one draft pick has not only played bad but is in terrible condition on top of that. PREDICTION: 5-11

DENVER BRONCOS (2008 record: 8-8) This team will have a huge drop off. No Mike Shanahan and no Jay Cutler make for a long season at Mile High. When you also factor in the Brandon Marshall fiasco, it could get ugly real fast for new head coach Josh McDaniel. PREDICTION: 4-12

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

NFC EAST

NEW YORK GIANTS (2008 record: 12-4) The G-Men’s season began spiraling downward once Plaxico Burress went out. They haven’t replaced the gun-totting wide receiver and will struggle at times stretching the field. Good for them they have an awesome defense that will welcome back Osi Umenyiora. Signing Chris Canty away from Dallas was also a huge plus. PREDICTION: 11-5, division winner.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2008 record: 9-6-1) The Birds somehow found their way into the playoffs and knocked out Big Blue on the road, so they are a resilient bunch. Michael Vick will definitely bring a different element to Phlly and his talent will outshine the distraction that he may cause the first few weeks he is in uniform. PREDICTION: 10-6, wild card team.

DALLAS COWBOYS (2008 record: 9-7) They have a gleaming new stadium but the same head coach. Wade Phillips has not been effective and the meddling Jerry Jones is no help. Cutting T.O. is addition by subtraction and maybe Tony Romo will play better without the constant questions surrounding their relationship. PREDICTION: 9-7

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2008 record: 8-8) Jason Campbell is not the answer at quarterback but may be the ‘Skins’ best option. Jim Zorn got the most out of his bunch then and he may again. Albert Haynesworth came at a big cost and his health is always an issue. PREDICTION: 7-9

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS (2008 record: 9-7) Acquiring the pouting Jay Cutler was a coup for this franchise, who have their best quarterback since Jim McMahon shuffled his way to the Super Bowl. His players go all out for Lovie Smith, who will find a way to win when it counts. PREDICTION: 11-5, division winner, NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2008 record: 10-6) The Vikes squeaked into the playoffs last year and now are relying on the soon-to-be 40-year-old Brett Favre to take them further. Adrian Peterson is arguably the best back in the game and their defense is strong. Close but no cigar. PREDICTION: 10-6, wild card team

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2008 record: 6-10) Aaron Rodgers proved that he was the real deal and that the organization made the right decision in not giving in to Favre. They will improve, however slightly. PREDICTION: 8-8

DETROIT LIONS (2008 record: 0-16) They won’t be as bad as they were, but going winless shows that the team gave up on itself. Matt Stafford will take his lumps and there will be a party in the Motor City when they win their first game since…PREDICTION: 3-13

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS (2008: 11-5) This is a team that has bounced back in a flash. ’08 Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan is a franchise quarterback, Michael Turner is a big-time back and the team added tight end Tony Gonzalez. PREDICTION: 10-6, division winner.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (2008 record: 12-4) After a high caliber regular season, John Fox’s team fell apart in the playoffs. How much longer will they be able to ride the Jake Delhomme train? Expect a drop-off here. PREDICTION: 9-7

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2008 record: 8-8) Drew Brees is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and will once again find himself at the Pro Bowl. Unfortunately his team will miss the playoffs by a game. PREDICTION: 9-7

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2008 record: 9-7) The Bucs are in a rebuilding mode and there will be many growing pains. At some point during the season, they will insert rookie Josh Freeman and see what he can do with the offense. That is not usually a positive sign. PREDICTION: 6-10

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2008 record: 9-7) Their amazing run ended in a crushing defeat on Super Sunday but they have enough talent to become a contender. It is so hard to just make the big game, let alone get back. The Cards will not make it as interesting this season. PREDICTION: 10-6, division winner.

ST. LOUIS RAMS (2008 record: 2-14) Steve Spagnuolo comes in and will bring with him an air of confidence. It will take some time, of course, but the Rams will surprise some folks. PREDICTION: 6-10

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2008 record: 7-9) Mike Singletary was a special player and may one day become a special coach, but he does not have the talent (or patience) to do it with this group. An unsettled quarterback situation is also a problem. PREDICTION: 6-10

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2008 record: 4-12) Jim Mora, Jr. gets another crack at it and has some players on his roster. They had an awful year in Mike Holmgren’s swan song but should look slightly better. PREDICTION: 5-11

PLAYOFFS

WILD CARD ROUND: Pittsburgh over Tennessee, Indianapolis over Baltimore, Arizona over Minnesota, Philadelphia over Atlanta

DIVISIONAL ROUND: New England over Indianapolis, Pittsburgh over San Diego, Chicago over Philadelphia, New York Giants over Arizona

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: New England over Pittsburgh, Chicago over New York Giants

SUPER BOWL XLIV: New England over Chicago

Photo by William J. Hauser

Nothing is forever, not even grisly, 39-year-old quarterbacks that still have enough youthful exuberance to challenge a second grader. When Brett Favre ‘un-retired’ over the summer and forced his way out of Green Bay, even he had to realize that he had one, maybe two years left in his right arm.

When the Jets made the trade for Favre in August, it came with no promises. That was the gamble that general manager had to make. To have the opportunity to bring in one of the best quarterbacks of all time – even a slower version – was too hard to pass up. The team had spent a ton of money in the offseason to upgrade the offensive line and entire defense, so to put all his eggs in one basket was not the most drastic of decisions.

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With the Jets currently in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East at 9-5, it would appear that everything is in place to continue the dream. Perhaps that is why Favre decided to remind everyone that he is not going to be sporting the green and white forever.

“It very well could be my last. It could be my last three games or four games,” said Favre, obviously considering possible playoff games with only two left on the regular season schedule.

For a man that could not see himself standing before reporters talking about football at this stage a year ago, he isn’t discounting anything. “If you would have asked me last year before the (NFC) Championship game, I would have said you need to quit drinking,” Favre joked. “I know what’s possibly ahead for us, but I have no idea what’s possibly ahead for me.”

What lies directly ahead for the Jets are the 3-11 Seattle Seahawks, who play host to Gang Green on Sunday. For a team that controls their own destiny, it would behoove the Jets to snap their west coast hex (0-3 so far this season) and put themselves in a position to clinch a playoff berth at home the following weekend versus the surprising Dolphins, who are a part of that trifecta leading the division along with the Patriots.

Whatever the next two weeks hold for the Jets, Favre knows that it isn’t all on his shoulders. “One guy, I know this for a fact, doesn’t make or break a team,” he said. “I made a commitment that they were not hinging their season on me. They had already made a lot of acquisitions. I knew full well that once I signed here that that didn’t put us in the Super Bowl.”

Maybe not, but for an organization and their fans that have been through the likes of the Mud Bowl, a Mark Gastineau late hit, Browning Nagle and so much ‘less’ over the past 40 years, hearing a statement like that – regardless of how much it really makes sense – is a tough pill to swallow.

But it will pale in comparison to a scenario where former Jet Chad Pennington comes into the Meadowlands in Week 17 and lead Miami to the postseason while knocking out the Jets, who hold a press conference shortly thereafter announcing that Favre is really hanging ‘em up this time.

Let me clarify something first. There is no ‘right’ time to use marihuana. Adults can do what they please and all, but illegal drugs (especially ones that do not enhance your performance) such as that have no place in an athlete’s life. Certainly not one of the captains on a team that is fighting for a playoff spot, one that is having himself a creer year, no less.

Shaun Ellis is far from some teenager looking for a buzz on a Friday night. This is an NFL veteran who has been an integral part of the team and is needed at 100 percent. Getting pulled over at 8:30 in the morning with a stash of weed in your car is not what Jets head coach Eric Mangini expects from one of his leaders, but even he – one who runs a tight ship – decided to let this go without throwing down the hammer.

On the heels of the Plaxico Burress nonsense, could Mangini have felt that keeping this under the radar was the best alternative? The third-year coach admitted that he found out through a “third party” (something else that everyone should have a problem with) the night before the loss to Denver last Sunday, but decided to let Ellis play, which he will also do until further notice. He can still receive a suspension from the NFL for violating the substance policy, which he definitely should in this case.

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From what Mangini has stated, the team has taken “internal disciplinary action” against Ellis, which one could surmise would be a fine. On how a potential suspension from the league may impact the team’s goals, Mangini was non-commital. “It’s not a function that’s anything under our control,” he said. “I respect the league and their stance on these issues.”

Losing Ellis for four games while the Jets make a run at the AFC East divisional title is going to have an impact. There is no way around that. He leads the team with 7 sacks through their first 11 games and has been such an important piece in the 3-4 defense that the team employs.

What he did and apparantly has been doing exposes him for the irresponsible person that he is. All the apologies and speeches to the coaching staff and team cannot take that away. Ellis is being counted on to come through every Sunday in a big way. Puffing on a joint or a bowl is not going to make that any easier.

Not falling for the ‘trap game’ mentality that has haunted so many teams over the years, the Jets totally dominated the hapless St. Louis Rams at the Meadowlands by a score of 47-3. After beating the Bills in Buffalo last week and having to go to New England this Thursday, it would have been easy to look past an out of conference 2-6 team.

That is not head coach Eric Mangini’s style. He prepares his team the same every week and was visibly happy after the convincing win. “With the completeness of the game, it’s something we’ve been stressing week in and week out,” he said.

With the largest margin of victory in team history, the Jets improved to 6-3 to maintain a share of first place in the AFC East. The second three-touchdown game of the year for running back Thomas Jones paved the way, and he gave a lot of the credit to the guys in front of him for the success.

“I’m lucky to be able to run behind those guys,” he said. “They’re one of the best offensive lines in the league.”

Jones, who finished with 149 yards on 26 carries, had a 20-yard gain on the Jets first offensive play of the game and capped off the eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to the right corner of the end zone, following a key block thrown by wide receiver Laveranues Coles.

The Jets put up 10 more points before the first quarter came to an end. Abram Elam sacked St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger on a blitz, knocking the ball loose. On a play that proved that the ball was bouncing the Jets way on this day, Calvin Pace basically had it jump off the ground and right into his hands. The linebacker took it the other way 50 yards for his first career score.

Quarter number two was even more one-sided, with three field goals by Jay Feely, another rushing score by Jones and a one-yard pass from Brett Favre (14 for 19, 167 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions) to tight end Dustin Keller. The contest became a laugher and a 40-0 advantage at halftime for the Jets.

The 78, 073 in attendance enjoyed themselves on Military Appreciation Day, and only booed when the Rams broke the shutout when Josh Brown kicked a 37-yard field goal with 9:51 left in the third quarter.

By winning five out of their last six games, the Jets have a chance to take over the top spot in the division by defeating the Patriots on national television after a short work week preparing for the game.

As Week 10 had an early start with a Thursday night game in Cleveland, the full serving will take place on Sunday. The marquee contest will be played in the evening when the New York Giants face the Eagles for the first time as defending Super Bowl champions, with this one being played in Philadelphia.

A battle for supremacy in the AFC East will take place in New England, as two 5-3 teams (Pats and Bills) face off. What could either be great or disappointing games are the Colts visiting Pittsburgh and Tennessee at Chicago.

Indy is only 4-4 but can still turn things around. The Titans are 8-0 but coming into the Windy City – even with Rex Grossman starting – is not a walk in the park.

The worst thing about this weekend is the lousy match-up on Monday Night Football. The most interesting part about San Francisco at Arizona will be to see if Niners interim head coach Mike Singletary blows at the post game press conference. I forsee excellent material for a future Coors Lite commercial coming.

Where it used to be the New England Patriots and then everyone else in the AFC, the season-ending knee injury suffered by quarterback Tom Brady in the first quarter of the season opener has changed everything. The team that was the preseason favorite to win it all will have to defend their conference title without their field general.

No matter how good a head coach Bill Belichik may be, losing the reigning league MVP may be more than even he can overcome. No slight against Matt Cassel, but he will be making his first start since high school come this Sunday on the road against the Jets.

The former back-up nearly found himself on the unemployment line following a dismal performance in the Pats’ four exhibition losses. Now he is being asked to step in for a team that went 16-0 last season.

Cassel was able to lead the team to a 17-10 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs after taking over for Brady. Under normal circumstances, New England would have dominated a weaker opponent like the rebuilding Chiefs. They barely hung on and if that is any indication of what is in store, first place in the AFC East will not be for long.

Heading into the season, most of the experts were putting New England, Indianapolis and San Diego at the top of the heap. Both the Colts and Chargers lost at home in Week 1 to underdog NFC teams.

An interesting campaign just got a lot more interesting. How all of this plays out is anyone’s guess at this early juncture, but no Brady can make for a long season.