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NFL Outlook for Stretch Run

The stretch run is now on the horizon and some really interesting playoff races are starting to develop.

In the AFC, the Jets took full control of the AFC East after beating the Patriots Thursday night. With that win the Jets, right now, have the inside track to the number two seed. The AFC North winner will have a lot to say about whether the Jets get that top seed.

The Steelers are in first in the North with a 6-3 record, but have really struggled of late, losing two of their last three. Both of those losses were also at home, which is a huge concern. Injuries to the Steelers offensive line, running back Willie Parker, and a banged up Ben Roethlisberger, could doom the Steelers late in the season.

The team that has really come on is the Ravens. Quarterback Joe Flacco has energized what one of the league's worst offenses. Flacco's poise has been suprising, considering he is a rookie from a division II school. The combination of Willis McGahee and rookie Ray Rice have brought stability to the running game, and the Ravens defense is still one of the best. The Ravens are tied with the Steelers, and have a more favorable schedule down the stretch.

Watch out for the Colts! Indianapolis has won two in a row to get to 5-4 on the season. Their defense is playing better, now that Bob Sanders is back in the secondary, and Peyton Manning is starting to chip off the ice that has been on his arm most of the season. The Colts only play one game against a team over .500 for the rest of the year.

Meanwhile the NFC North, South and wild card are all up for grabs. In the South, the Falcons, Panthers, and Buccaneers are all within one game of each other for the division lead. The Panthers have the inside track at 7-2, but still have to play in Atlanta and in New Orleans before the season is over. The Falcons have shocked the world. Rookie coach Mike Smith is in for coach of the year, making a doomed franchise matter again. Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has lit it up for Atlanta.

In the North, no one wants to win the division. Chicago has lost two in a row, the Packers have lost two in a row, and the Vikings have a difficult roadtrip coming up in Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. 10 wins will likely win this division, but someone needs to get red hot real fast for that to happen.

With all this ambiguity atop these divisions, it has created a logjam for the wild card. Right now nine teams have a shot at the two spots: Redskins (6-3), Buccaneers (6-3), Falcons (6-3), Vikings (5-4), Bears (5-4), Cowboys (5-4), Eagles (5-4), Packers (4-5), and Saints (4-5) all have a shot to make some strech noise before Christmas comes and goes.

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