The Seattle Seahawks' problems this season have been blamed on all sorts of things: injuries, free-agent defections, post-Super Bowl letdown, even the weird weather in the Pacific Northwest.
But put it in perspective. If the Seahawks can beat AFC leader San Diego on Sunday, they become the first team since the 2000 Tennessee Titans to make the playoffs the year after they lose a Super Bowl.
``Are we disappointed, are we angry, are we frustrated, can we play better?'' Mike Holmgren says of his team. ``Yes, yes, yes, yes.''
But do they have hope? Yes, yes, yes, yes.
At some level, the game with the Chargers might possibly be a Super Bowl preview.
Although the Seahawks (8-6) have lost the last two weeks to division rivals Arizona and San Francisco, blowing a chance to wrap up the NFC West, they still have the potential to do something in the playoffs in a conference where everyone has troubles. They will still take the division if they win just one of their final two games or San Francisco loses one.
The Chargers (12-2) can get home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs by winning in Seattle, then beating Arizona. San Diego has won eight straight, has done it on both offense and defense, and is so talented that it could argue it was shortchanged in the Pro Bowl voting, even with an NFL-high nine players chosen.
One of those Pro Bowlers is Philip Rivers, in his first year as the starting quarterback. He was just 8-of-23 for 97 yards with two interceptions against Kansas City last week. But, typical of the Chargers this season, the defense and LaDainian Tomlinson's 199 yards rushing and two TDs secured the win.
``I'm not concerned about it, at this point,'' Marty Schottenheimer says of Rivers' struggles last week.
``Anytime you work at developing a young quarterback, you will see this happens. I don't care who it is, whether it's Bernie Kosar, whether it's Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, they all go through it. He's such a competitive individual, he wants to be perfect all the time. this is not a game of perfection.''
Not for the Seahawks it's not - at least not this season.
But they still have a chance to do something about it.
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The next-to-last week of the regular season began with six teams in the playoffs and the possibility that all the divisions could be wrapped up going into the final week.
Baltimore, Indianapolis, San Diego, Chicago and New Orleans have clinched their divisions. Dallas has clinched a playoff berth and will win the NFC East if it beats Philadelphia at home on Monday. And New England can win the AFC East if its wins in Jacksonville on Sunday or the New York Jets lose in Miami on Monday night.
Cincinnati, Denver, Philadelphia and the New York Giants all can clinch wild-card spots if they win and other circumstances fall right.
Arizona, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Oakland, Tampa Bay and Washington have been eliminated.
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The weekend began Thursday night, with Green Bay beating Minnesota 9-7.
Kansas City is at Oakland on Saturday night.
In other games Sunday, Chicago is at Detroit; Carolina at Atlanta; Tennessee at Buffalo; Baltimore at Pittsburgh; Indianapolis at Houston; Washington at St. Louis; New Orleans at the New York Giants; Tampa Bay at Cleveland; Arizona at San Francisco; and Cincinnati at Denver.
---Philadelphia (8-6) at Dallas (9-5) (Monday)
The Cowboys won on Thanksgiving against Tampa Bay in the middle of their current streak of five wins in six games, and now can wrap up the NFC East on Christmas. It's not surprising it's these two teams fighting for the division title. It is surprising the quarterbacks are Tony Romo for the Cowboys and Jeff Garcia for the Eagles.
Romo, voted to the Pro Bowl this week, is 6-2 as a starter since taking over for Drew Bledsoe. Garcia is 3-1 since Donovan McNabb was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament, leading the Eagles to a 36-22 win over the Giants last week that put them in good position to make the playoffs.
New England (10-4) at Jacksonville (8-6)
The Jaguars belong in the NFC, where every contender is a mystery. Jacksonville is 6-1 at home, 2-5 on the road and has lost twice to Houston, the only team to beat the Jags at home. Those same Texans were beaten 40-7 in Foxborough last week, so those who compare scores would think the Jaguars have no chance.
Actually, the Jaguars probably have a good one against the Patriots, who have no consistent receiving threat and likely will be without Laurence Maroney, the rookie running back who has complemented Corey Dillon so well. Maroney has a back injury, but it's unclear how serious; Bill Belichick has yet to acknowledge serious injuries from last season, let alone this one.
Cincinnati (8-6) at Denver (8-6)
New York Jets (8-6) at Miami (6-8) (Monday night)
The Bengals and Broncos have the edge over the Jets in the race for an AFC wild-card spot. The winner of the game in Denver could clinch a berth if other things break right. New York can't, although it's likely to be in good shape if it can beat the Dolphins because it would lead the loser of the Denver game and has Oakland at home in the finale.
A week ago, the Bengals had won five straight and the Broncos had lost four straight, with Mike Shanahan seemingly willing to sacrifice the season to give Jay Cutler experience at quarterback. But Cutler got his first win in Arizona last week and the Bengals lost in Indianapolis as Peyton Manning picked apart their secondary.
``To get your swagger back you have to win, and we won,'' Shanahan says. ``To keep that swagger, you have to keep on winning. Our players know this is a week-by-week proposition.''
New Orleans (9-5) at
New York Giants (7-7)
The Saints fell back into a tie with Dallas for a first-round bye with a bad loss at home last week to Washington. But the Giants have lost five of six, including a critical defeat by Philadelphia last week. .
There are so many permutations in the NFC that New York could make the playoffs at 7-9 and miss them at 9-7. New York is 2-12 over the past three seasons without Michael Strahan, who has missed six games with a foot injury and might be back this week.
``I think there's a definite connection,'' Tom Coughlin says of Strahan's absence.
Indianapolis (11-3) at Houston (4-10)Baltimore (11-3) at Pittsburgh (7-7)
The Colts, who routed the Texans in Week 2, can clinch a first-round bye if they win and the Ravens lose - something that could well happen given the opposition. Not only was Manning sharp in the win over Cincinnati, but the defense woke up a week after allowing 375 yards rushing in Jacksonville.
QB Steve McNair should be back for the Ravens after leaving last week's win over Cleveland after two series with a cut on his throwing hand. He will be needed against a Pittsburgh team that is nominally alive, but probably wishes it was in the NFC. It has won three straight and five of six, the kind of run that took it all the way to an NFL title last season.
Beyond that, coach Bill Cowher says he remains motivated and may not retire. ``Do I look burned out?'' he asks. ``I love the challenges and love this time of the year, to be honest with you.''
Carolina (6-8) at Atlanta (7-7)
Even the injury-beset Panthers, who have lost four straight and have Chris Weinke (1-17 lifetime) at quarterback, still have a shot at the playoffs. That should end this week against the Falcons, although the NFC is so wacky that Carolina might win.
Playoff tiebreaker wackiness: The Falcons lost to the Giants, but could reach the playoffs ahead of them if they end up in a three-way tie at 9-7 with New York and Philadelphia. Michael Vick has a groin injury and is a question mark, although Matt Schaub is one of the league's better backup quarterbacks.
Tennessee (7-7) at Buffalo (7-7)
Two more charging second-tier AFC playoff contenders who would be first tier in the NFC. The Titans have won five straight and seven of nine with Vince Young at quarterback, including an unlikely 24-17 win over Jacksonville last week in which they scored on three returns by the defense and were outgained 396-98.
The Bills have won four of five as J.P. Losman matures at quarterback. Is 81-year-old Marv Levy executive of the year?
Kansas City (7-7) at Oakland (2-12) (Saturday)
The Chiefs are yet another AFC team that needs a lot of help to make the playoffs. The only consolation: the final two games are at home and if they're still alive next week, they get a shot at another contender, the Jaguars.
The Raiders probably won't get the top draft pick if they end up tied with Detroit because they have had a stronger schedule, which is how draft order is determined.
Chicago (12-2) at Detroit (2-12)
For a team in total control of its conference, the Bears have problems. The club suspended Tank Johnson this week for this game after three arrests in 18 months. They already are without two other defensive stalwarts,tackle Tommie Harris and safety Mike Brown.
If the Lions lose out, they probably get the top draft pick. Given their strange draft history, look toward the best available wide receiver, Calvin Johnson or Dwayne Jarrett.
Arizona (4-10) at San Francisco (6-8)Washington (5-9) at St. Louis (6-8)
San Francisco can win the NFC West if it wins twice and Seattle loses twice. With Frank Gore emerging as a Pro Bowl running back and QB Alex Smith showing improvement in his second year, the 49ers already have as many wins as in the last two seasons combined.
The Rams can't win the division, but they could sneak into the wild-card picture if a lot of things happen in their favor.
Tampa Bay (4-10) at Cleveland (4-10)
Two teams with one Pro Bowler between them, Tampa's Ronde Barber. Cleveland's Kellen Winslow deserved it, but was blocked at tight end in the AFC by Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez.
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