NFL Update

In all likelihood, 13 of the 14 ‘offs teams are now known, with the 14th to be the NFC South Division winner between (8-7) Carolina and (7-8) Tampa Bay, probably to be decided when the teams meet on the final “reg” day January 4, 2026.

While only the defending champion, (10-5) Philadelphia Eagles have clinched a “div” crown (they became the first repeat NFC East champion since they, under Andy Reid won 4 straight such titles (2001-2004), 4 pretty big longshot teams, certainly the (11-4) Chicago Bears and (12-3) New England Patriots (40 years later– a Supe redux on NBC??– but no Enberg, just a blown up display item/king at Rockefeller Center) and also the (11-4) Jacksonville Jaguars and (9-6) Pittsburgh Steelers are seemingly on the precipice of div crowns and minimum a wild card round home game.

Elsewhere regarding “divs,” both the (12-3) Seattle Seahawks and (11-4) S.F. 49ers control their own destiny and if each team wins this Sunday in the season’s penultimate week, their at S.F. (by the way the Supe will be played there) final day-night? head to head clash, would decide the NFC West and perhaps the coveted 1 seed, the only one that comes with a wild card round bye.

The highly rated (11-4) L.A. Rams need help, one loss by both S.F. and Sea and wins in their at Atlanta and vs Arizona games, to get the “div” crown, however they remain Supe plurality “faves” and have clinched an ‘offs spot. Ditto the (11-4) Buffalo Bills and with a magic # of 1, the (9-5-1) Green Bay Packers, both teams with faint div title hopes.

Finally the AFC West is still going and if the (11-4) L.A. Chargers, slight favorites vs another so likely ‘offs participant, the (10-5) Houston Texans (they are still in contention for the AFC South title, currently considered (see above) to be going to Jacksonville (Jaguars), win the NFL Network late Saturday afternoon (Houston invariably played/hosted in that time slot’s wild card round game, still possible but again unlikely this season, regarding “hosting–i.e. playing in Houston, though one never knows–ode to Cherchez la Femme/Se Si Bon) then the final week’s Chargers at Denver (Broncos) tilt would determine the division winner.

Truly “one never knows” in life and certainly regarding NFL results. Hear it early in the fine song, one can hear by clicking above.