| Rk | Team | W | L | T | Pct | Div | Conf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | 7 | 3 | 0 | .700 | 3-0 | 6-2 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | 7 | 3 | 0 | .700 | 1-2 | 5-3 |
| 3 | New England | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| 4 | Oakland | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 2-2 | 5-4 |
| 5 | Baltimore | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | 2-0 | 4-2 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | 1-1 | 5-2 |
| - | New York Jets | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 2-2 | 4-4 |
| - | Buffalo | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 1-1 | 3-2 |
| - | Tennessee | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 1-2 | 4-4 |
| - | San Diego | 4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | 2-2 | 3-4 |
| - | Denver | 4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | 2-2 | 4-3 |
| - | Kansas City | 4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | 2-2 | 3-4 |
Houston has never made the playoffs in their existence (2002). Today they sit in the top spot in the AFC, and they have done it predominantly without their best offensive (Andre Johnson) or defensive (Mario Williams - on IR) players. However, they also just lost their quarterback, Matt Schaub, and now their season rests on the shoulders of one Matt Leinart. The same Matt Leinart who so completely lost the faith of his head coach in Arizona, that said head coach went into a season with Max Hall, John Skelton, and Derek Anderson at quarterback, rather than carry Mr. Leinart. I don't see Houston losing the division (only Tennesee's within striking distance, and 2 games back with 6 to play is tough), but there's no way Leinart leads them to a bye. Not with the Patriots and the AFC North teams all looming.
Who has the best odds of nabbing that #1 seed? Would you believe the Patriots? Here are the quarterbacks they very well could face through the end of the regular season: Tyler Palko, Vince Young (if Mike Vick's broken ribs don't heal enough in 1.5 weeks), Curtis Painter/Dan Orlovsky (it doesn't matter), Rex Grossman/John Beck, Tim Tebow (singularly ill-equipped to take advantage of what the Patriots defense cannot do well), Matt Moore, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. At best, there are 2 real quarterbacks on their schedule, and who knows what state Buffalo will be in come week 17.
A year after the Seahawks won their division with a 7-9 record, could history repeat itself a year later? In the AFC West, it's possible. Kansas City is done, given that they will start Tyler Palko in their final 6 games. One would think Denver will eventually fall off as teams get more and more tape on the wishTebowne offense. San Diego is a mess (whither Phillip Rivers), and that leaves Oakland, and the random Carson Palmer drive generator. I think Oakland gets at least to .500 (they have games against Minnesota, Miami, and Kansas City left), but I also believe their week 17 game with San Diego will decide this division.
Key Games this week:
NY Jets at Denver - The Jets haven't been stout against the run this season, and on a short week it will be hard to have them ready for the wishTebowne offense.
Cincinnati at Baltimore - Cincy has had Baltimore's number the past 2 seasons. It really depends on which Baltimore, and more specifically, which Joe Flacco shows up.
Kansas City at New England - Tyler Palko is starting. I don't care how bad New England's pass defense is, this game will be over by halftime.
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