ELY Week 10 Playoff Picture

With week 10 in the books, now seems like as good a time as any to start looking at the playoff picture. Several teams have established themselves as early favorites, but it's not how you start, it's how you finish. With that in mind, let's recap the first portion of the season.

In the NFC, the Seahawks have come out of the gate firing, winning their first 10 contests. They're the current favorite in the NFC, but our next team plans to change that. The Panthers lost the season opener to the Seahawks in a wild shoot out on their way to starting the season 1-2, but have caught fire as of late, winning their last six games. Will they get a chance to avenge their week 1 loss in the playoffs?

Right on the Panthers heels for a 1st round bye are the Dallas Cowboys at 7-3. When the calendar turns to December it usually means a Cowboy collapse, but this year's team looks poised to change that. The NFC North is just as up for grabs as it was when the season started with all four teams within three games. With three divisional games left on the slate and a one game lead, the Vikings control their own destiny.

The Cardinals currently sit at 6-3 and look on track to capture a wild card berth. Who will capture the second wild card berth is anyone's guess. The Eagles, 49ers, Packers, Giants, Redskins and Saints all are within one game of each other and the Packers are only one game back in their division. Whoever ends up taking it will certainly have to earn it.

In the AFC things are a little more clear. The Raiders and Colts have all but locked up their divisions and will certainly be making playoff appearances. Joining those two teams with 8 wins are the Bengals who have a 2.5 game lead in their division over the Ravens and Browns. The Ravens won their first matchup with the Bengals and play them again in the regular season finale. If Cincinnati isn't careful they might be playing for their playoff lives come week 17.

In the AFC East the Patriots and Bills both have 7 wins. Barring a late collapse both will likely be making trips to the post season. The last playoff spot is currently owned by the Chiefs, but recent front office changes leave them rudderless. The Ravens, Browns and Dolphins could all take their playoff spot as soon as this week.

Good luck to all the teams still in the hunt. For all the teams scouting high draft picks, better luck next season.

The Ravens first win came in a fluke measure (Christmas break, I didn't actually play) Andy Dalton has shown incredible resolve and has been unflappable for most of the year. Along with the emergence of Tyler Eifert as an all pro pass catching TE and the continued dominance of the new look defense led by new addition Vince Wilfork and pass rushing studs Michael Johnson and Geno Atkins (both signed to long term deals), the Bengals are hitting their stride coming off a big revenge win over the feisty Browns and are poised to make a long run deep in the playoffs