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NFL news and notes, Week 10

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
In print: Sunday, November 9, 2008

Despite being 4-4, the Colts and linebacker Clint Session still have a shot at the postseason.
	[Getty Images]

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Don't give up, Indianapolis. Hold out hope, New Orleans. Keep going, Green Bay and Minnesota and Miami. Those five teams — the Colts, Saints, Packers, Vikings and Dolphins — sit at 4-4, and none would make the playoffs if the postseason started today. But their seasons are not over. Since 2000, 19 teams have started 4-4 and gone on to make the playoffs. One team (the 2002 Jets) started 3-5 and made the postseason. The Raiders started 2002 at 4-4 and made it to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Bucs. The 2001 Patriots started 4-4 and went on to win the Super Bowl. So this is a look at the five 4-4 teams and their chances of still making the playoffs.

Colts

They trail the undefeated Titans by four games in the AFC South, so the division is out of the question. They remain in good shape for the wild card because they're just a game behind. Only two of their eight remaining games are against teams that now have winning records, and one of those is the last game against a Tennessee team that could be resting starters by then. Cincinnati and Detroit are on the schedule, too.

Dolphins

Miami trails three teams in the AFC East, so winning the division seems a reach. Then again, the schedule is easy. Throw out games against New England and Buffalo (two teams the Dolphins have beaten this season) and the Jets, and the rest of the schedule is against teams that now have a combined record of 9-31. Don't count them out.

Saints

The Saints and QB Drew Brees, below, haven't won a road game (unless you count beating San Diego in London). And they have five road games left, including trips to Atlanta, Tampa Bay and a December game in Chicago. This just doesn't seem like the Saints' season.

Packers and Vikings

The two play today, and the winner is still in good shape. Problem is, the NFC East is so strong that unless one of these teams overtakes the Bears (5-3) in the NFC North, making the postseason will be tough. The Packers have their fate in their hands: They still have two games left with the Bears. The Vikings' schedule is tougher with games at Tampa Bay and Arizona and a season finale at home against the Giants.

Doomsday in Dallas

Seeing as how the season has gone so far for the Cowboys, today will be a good day in Dallas. The Cowboys are off. But when you start to add up the numbers and look at the schedule, the Cowboys are in serious danger of missing the playoffs after starting the season as a Super Bowl favorite. They sit at 5-4, three games behind the Giants in the NFC East. And it's not like the wild-card picture looks pretty. At the moment, the Cowboys, technically, trail the Redskins (6-3), Eagles (5-3), Bucs (6-3) and Falcons (5-3) for two openings. And their schedule is not pretty, either. The Cowboys play next at Washington before coming home for two games they can win — San Francisco and Seattle. But then they are at Pittsburgh, home against the Giants and Ravens and then at Philadelphia. "We understand now is the time to put your foot down," said QB Tony Romo, who could return next week after missing three games with a broken pinkie. "I hate to use the term where everybody thinks it's the playoffs already, but …"

Friendly rivalry

One of this week's most interesting matchups is Colts-Steelers. Two good teams but no bad blood at all because of how close the two coaches are. The Steelers' Mike Tomlin, left, once worked as an assistant for the Colts' Tony Dungy, right, in Tampa Bay. "Coach has been a mentor to me, no doubt," Tomlin said. "He sets the standards for guys like myself that are trying to make our way in the business. It's just knowledge (gained from) being associated with him."

Information from the Associated Press, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Philadelphia Daily News was used in this report.

Number of the day

53 College underclassmen who declared for the 2008 NFL draft after 40 declared in 2007. The number could exceed 80 for the 2009 draft.