I have 3 blog ideas and 3 days this week before the holiday. Seems like simple math, right? I want to rank the starting QBs in the NFL (a power ranking for the future, if you will), I want to do a full college football bowl projection (because I enjoy wasting your and my time) and finally I want to take inventory of the NFL season. Idea number 3 is the least interesting, so in the vein of how I live my life, we’re going with that one first.

Last month, I took a look at the NFC and believe I may have used the words “terrible,” “horrible,” “no good,” and “very bad” to describe it. That was actually very wrong of me. The NFC certainly has it’s holes (The playoff bound Chicago Bears, the NFC West, Brian St. Pierre, etc) but there’s a lot to be excited about there. Including three potential Super Bowl champions. But we’ll start with the AFC.

(Rankings 1-6 for who I think will make it to the playoffs)

AFC
1. New York Jets (12-4)
I’ve read a few scribes today downgrading the Jets because their last three wins came against the Lions, Browns, and Texans and were not done in convincing fashion. I understand that to a certain extent. I also understand that if you’re 8-2 after 10 games, you’re a pretty good football team. I also realize that the Jets beat the Patriots in their only game so far in 2010. I also realize that the Jets find a way to win their games, and are being led by a quarterback with 15 TDs, 7 INTs, and 2300 Yards passing. Yes, the Jets QB is on pace for a 26 TD, 11 INT, 4000 Yard season. And still, people criticize him like it’s a hobby. If the Jets were the Indianapolis Colts, we’d be going crazy, head over heels for them. But because it’s the Jets, we need to nitpick. I for one, am not nitpicking. They’re the best team in the AFC.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
You tell me who’s second best in the AFC: New England beat the Steelers and the Ravens. The Ravens beat the Jets. But the Jets beat New England. And the Ravens beat the Steelers. But the Steelers were playing without their starting quarterback. And the Steelers beat Atlanta. Who beat Baltimore. Who, yes, beat Pittsburgh. It all comes down to matchups. And Pittsburgh has some easy ones left on their schedule. Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Carolina. The other two games? Of course, the Ravens and Jets. The Steelers are an enigma. The losses to New England and New Orleans concern me. But the Ravens have the same record and despite a head-to-head win, may be more enigmatic than the Steelers.

3. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
Sorry, I can’t commit myself to giving a David Garrard QB’d team a 3 seed in the playoffs. I don’t care if Jacob Tamme and Blair White are key targets for Peyton Manning. The South is very winnable for the Colts.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
They’re undefeated at home and they’ve already gotten their hardest home test (San Diego) out of the way. All they need to do is find a way to win 1 or 2 road games and they’ll sneak in.

5. New England Patriots (12-4)
For what it’s worth, I think they finish in a tie with the Jets, but New York wins the tiebreaker and the bye. The offense is great. The defense, well, not so great.

6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Ray Rice has 3 TDs heading into Week 12. Joe Flacco has not developed into a 4,000 yard passer. Anquan Boldin may have been kidnapped a few weeks ago. And Billy Cundiff will have to win a key game for them down the stretch, right? But then again, remember when they shut out the Jets in the Meadowlands? And do you really trust Mark Sanchez to win a cold weather game?

Baltimore beats Indianapolis and New England beats Kansas City
Baltimore beats New York and New England beats Pittsburgh

AFC Championship: Baltimore beats New England (Shayne Graham misses a GW FG, and Billy Cundiff proves me wrong)

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
Green Bay plays at Atlanta this weekend, goes into the Georgia Dome, and punches the Falcons in the mouth.

2. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)
Green Bay plays at Atlanta this weekend, goes into the Georgia Dome, and punches the Falcons in the mouth. I know that Atlanta has been nearly unbeatable under Mike Smith at home, but the Packers look like they’re on a mission now that they’re healthy. And I don’t think the Falcons are a tough football team.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
I’m nervous every time Michael Vick runs to his right. Imagine how Andy Reid feels. Still, when they’re on, they’re more fun to watch than the 1999 Rams.

4. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
It makes me want to cry. But do you think St. Louis can win a game on the road?

5. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
Flying WAY under the radar right now. They’re slow start may have blinded you to the fact that they’re 7-3. And playing good football since that loss to the Browns.

6. New York Giants (10-6)
I had to go down to the 4th tiebreaker (strength of victory) before giving the Giants the edge over the Buccaneers. Did you know that combined, the Giants and Bucs have won one game against current playoff teams? True story. New York beat Chicago in Week 3. You’ll notice that I don’t have Chicago making the playoffs. Carry on.

Philadelphia beats New York and New Orleans beats Seattle
Green Bay beats New Orleans and Philadelphia beats Atlanta (sidebar: How awesome would that story be if Vick returns to Atlanta in the playoffs?)

NFC Championship Green Bay beats Philadelphia

Super Bowl: Green Bay beats Baltimore.

And yes, if you’re a smart reader, you know that was my preseason prediction.

Some Awards

MVP: Peyton Manning (Runners up: Tom Brady, Josh Freeman, Michael Vick)
OROY: Sam Bradford (Runners up: No one is even close. Dez Bryant and Mike Williams get honorable mention)
DROY: NDamukong Suh (Runners up: Earl Thomas, TJ Ward)
Coach of the Year: Brad Childress……Sorry, I imagined the word “non” in there.
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick
Best Resurrection of a Career, Ever: Michael Vick
Worst Crucifixion of a Career Ever: Brett Favre

Seriously, did you see this turn of events happening 3 years ago? Michael Vick is the most dynamic player in the NFL and a better QB than he ever was in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Brett Favre is mired in a 3-7 season with the Minnesota Vikings while being investigated by the NFL for allegedly sending pictures of his penis to this girl.

I love sports.