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Dec. 19, 2005 The Indianapolis Colts came into Week 15 with nothing to play for but history. Specifically, they were gunning to become only the second team in NFL history to start their season 14-0. The San Diego Chargers, meanwhile, were fighting for their playoff lives, in a hostile environment, against a team they typically match up well against. The 1972 Miami Dolphins are happy with the end result. In fact, they’re probably still celebrating right now. San Diego’s 26-17 victory over Indianapolis not only kept their playoff hopes alive, it ended what had been a perfect season for the Colts. To their credit, though, the Colts didn’t blame anyone for the loss but themselves. Head coach Tony Dungy said in a post-game interview that he and his team wanted the perfect season, but simply got outplayed by a desperate team. Their paths could cross again in the playoffs, and the Colts aren’t careful, the Bolts could zap them again. Three teams clinched playoff berths during Week 15: The New England Patriots won their third straight AFC East title by shutting out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-0 this past Saturday. The Cincinnati Bengals won the AFC North title by beating the Detroit Lions 41-17 on Sunday. The last time the Bengals won a division championship, they were in the old AFC Central, way back in 1990. The Denver Broncos clinched a playoff spot by beating the Buffalo Bills 28-17 on Saturday night. Ironically, as the old-school Dolphins were celebrating, the modern-day Dolphins, despite a 24-20 win over the hapless New York Jets, were officially eliminated from playoff contention. As Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, most of the Week 16 games will occur on Christmas Eve. Two games with potential playoff implications are set for Christmas Day. In all, eight playoff spots remain up for grabs. Denver can clinch the AFC West with a win over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday. They also clinch the division if they tie the Raiders OR if San Diego loses at Kansas City. If the Broncos win AND Cincinnati loses at home to Buffalo, then Denver will also clinch the other first-round bye in the AFC. The Jacksonville Jaguars can clinch a wild-card spot if they win at Houston on Saturday. They can also get in if they tie Houston, provided either the Pittsburgh Steelers lose or tie on the road against the Cleveland Browns OR San Diego loses at Kansas City. They also get in if Pittsburgh loses and Kansas City loses or ties San Diego. The New York Giants can clinch the NFC East with a win or a tie at Washington on Saturday. Even if they lose Saturday, they can still clinch a playoff spot if the Baltimore Ravens beat the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Night. The Washington Redskins are in the playoffs if they beat the Giants and get some help. Dallas has to lose at Carolina, Minnesota has to lose at Baltimore, AND Atlanta has to lose at Tampa Bay. The Chicago Bears can clinch the NFC North with a win or a tie at Green Bay on Christmas Day. Even if they lose, they can still clinch the division if Minnesota loses to Baltimore later in the day. If the Giants and Panthers both lose Saturday, the Bears will also be playing for a first-round bye on Sunday. If either the Buccaneers or the Redskins lose Saturday, they will clinch a playoff spot. The Carolina Panthers can clinch the NFC South with a win against the Cowboys and a Tampa Bay loss. They also clinch the division if they tie Dallas and the Buccaneers lose. The Panthers clinch a playoff berth with a win OR if Atlanta, Minnesota and Washington all lose or tie. The Seattle Seahawks can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win or a tie at home against Indianapolis on Saturday. If they lose, they can still get home-field advantage with a Bears loss at Green Bay on Christmas Day. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to need a lot of help to get in. Not only do they have to win, but they have to have one of three different combinations of things to happen: Dallas and Washington both lose or tie. Dallas and Minnesota both lose or tie. Minnesota and Washington both lose or tie. Destiny isn’t normally kind to teams that need this much help to get into the playoffs. Then again, it also wasn’t kind to the one team who could’ve keep the 1972 Dolphins from popping open the champagne yet again. For the latest team news and information, visit http://www.nfl.com. ------------ About the author: Claxton Graham has written a number of articles for Useless Knowledge. He works as a business systems analyst. Email: scifiwriter8502@email.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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