November 26, 2012
Anonymous
Associated Press
Mon Nov 26, 2012, 10:45 PM EST
Start the playoffs now.
Well, just about.
More than a month from the end of the NFL season, and nearly every division race
is decided. Atlanta and Denver have four-game leads and can earn titles with
victories Sunday, although the Falcons also need Tampa Bay to lose —
coincidentally, to the Broncos, who don't need any help if they win to walk off
with the AFC West.
The Falcons (10-1) get an early start by hosting New Orleans on Thursday night.
Considering the rivalry, and that Atlanta's only defeat this season has been to
the Saints, taking the NFC South crown merely adds to the team's already soaring
incentives.
"Ten and one is great, but I'll tell you what I've said since the beginning of
the season: We're just jockeying for position," star tight end Tony Gonzalez
said. "We just want to put ourselves in the best position, playing the best
football. Right around this time is when you want to start jelling as a team and
take it on into the playoffs because that's the most important thing."
Denver (8-3) already has swept San Diego, so one more victory puts Peyton
Manning back in the playoffs with his new team. Oddly, Manning's Colts didn't
always fare so well after early clinchings, but every coach, including his
latest one, John Fox, will say that owning a postseason berth overrides any
potential negatives.
"We can't influence what everyone else does over the last five games," Fox said.
"We know we have to take care of this week and that'll be our mindset."
