— The NFL playoffs are just around the corner, and all of the participants (or potential participants) have reason for hope and reasons to wring their hands.
The AFC field is set; Sunday's games will settle the AFC seedings. In the NFC, Atlanta, Green Bay, San Francisco and Seattle have qualified; Washington, Dallas, Minnesota, Chicago and the New York Giants are still in the running.
A glance at the teams:
AFCHOUSTON
One and done: The Texans have been out of sync in two of the last three games, particularly on offense. Matt Schaub has one touchdown pass in the last 15 quarters.
Going all the way: This team has shown amazing resiliency after losses. After losing to Green Bay, the Texans blew out Baltimore by 30. After losing to the Patriots, Houston beat Indianapolis by 12. The Texans might be in a down cycle at the moment, but they're the best bounce-back team in football.
DENVER
One and done: A likely scenario for the Broncos has them taking an 11-game winning streak into the bye, then facing New England in the divisional round. No one game-plans better against Peyton Manning than Bill Belichick — the Patriots handed the Broncos their most recent defeat — so that would be a daunting challenge.
Going all the way: When people think Broncos they think Manning. But he's actually playing on the weaker side of the ball for them. Denver's defense has been phenomenal and has scored six touchdowns and two safeties. The Broncos lead the league with an average of 3.2 sacks per game, and they rank third against the run.
NEW ENGLAND
One and done: The offensive line has had big problems protecting Tom Brady in the last two games, and that unit is really hurting with injuries. If the Patriots were to face Cincinnati in the first round — the most likely outcome — they could have problems with the fierce pass rush of the Bengals, who are second to Denver in sacks with 47.
Going all the way: The Patriots average an NFL-best 35.3 points per game, nearly a touchdown more than second-place Denver. They're wickedly effective with their no-huddle attack and they now have a ground game that gives them balance. They're putting points on the board the way they did in 2007, when they averaged 36.8 and came oh so close to a perfect season.
BALTIMORE
One and done: Yes, they are coming off a commanding victory over the nose-diving Giants, but the Ravens lost three in a row before that. They backed into their division title, and it's unclear whether last Sunday's win was simply a fleeting positive surge or real momentum.
Going all the way: The Ravens are rich in playoff experience and know how to win at this time of year. They came within an eyelash of reaching the Super Bowl last season, and they have the seasoned personnel to make another run, especially in a muddled AFC that lacks a truly dominant team.
INDIANAPOLIS
One and done: It's easy to forget that the Colts are loaded with rookies on offense. Andrew Luck hasn't played especially well in two of the last three games, and he hasn't gotten a lot of protection from his line. What's more, they'll be hitting the road in the postseason.
Going all the way: Can anyone top the Colts' Hollywood feel-good story? Overall, Luck has been spectacular, and Bruce Arians deserves to be the first fill-in to win coach of the year. This team wins just about every close game, and for added inspiration now has Chuck Pagano back. It may sound crazy to say the Colts will reach the Super Bowl but no crazier than it would have sounded in August to say they'd make the playoffs.
CINCINNATI
One and done: A.J. Green is phenomenal, but the Bengals don't have a second receiver to siphon some of the pressure off him. Since Mohamed Sanu suffered a season-ending foot injury in early December, Cincinnati has waited for someone else to step up. That hasn't happened.
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