6 games late, and a lot of intriguing scores.  Let's look.

Steelers Defeat Cowboys 20-13: Low scoring smash mouth game, as expected at Heinz Field.  It was 3-3 at the half despite the Cowboys turning it over 4 times and the Steelers 2.  The Steelers went for it on 4th and goal early 4th and didn't get it when they were down 13-3.  They ended up forcing two punts leading to a field goal, and then a touchdown that tied the game with 2:10 left. 

Then, Romo and Witten had a miscommunication, leading to Deshea Townsend getting an 25 yard interception for a touchdown with 1:51 left., and Dallas just couldn't get it done after getting the ball back.  The Steelers are 10-3, guaranteed a game up in the division, and in very good shape for the #2 seed.  The Cowboys are 8-5 in the NFC wild card mix.

49ers Upset Jets 24-14: Time of possession is often a telling stat, and the 49ers had the ball for nearly 40 minutes.  The Jets couldn't get it going, going 1-10 on 3rd downs.  Favre averaged a weak 4.4 yards a pass.  Shaun Hill was a solid 28-39 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. (One INT)  With that, the Jets still hold the division lead, but that is by virtue of tiebreaker, as there is now at THREE WAY tie at 8-5 between them, the Dolphins, and the Patriots.  San Fran is 5-8.

Patriots Hold On Over Seahawks 24-21: Seattle held a 14-3 lead at one point, and even had a shot late.  After giving up a TD with 2:44 left, they had a chance to move down the field and score, but they forced a fumble on Seneca Wallace with a big blitz to end the game.  Despite this, Wallace was strong, 20-28, 212, 3 TD.  Cassel was alright, but Welker had a big day, 12 catches for 134 yards.  The Patriots are 8-5 in the AFC East mess, the Seahawks are a sad 2-11.

Cardinals Flatten Rams 34-10: Boy, this is shocking.  By which I mean not at all shocking.  The Cardinals back to looking good against a terrible division team, although the numbers weren't impressive.  More importantly, the 8-5 Cardinals clinch a playoff spot in that sorry division, which is the first division title for the Cardinals since 1975.  Even though they'll get bounced early, at least Cardinals fans get a playoff game for the first time in 10 years.

Dolphins Top Bills 16-3 in Canada Bowl: How'd that work out for the Bills?  The Dolphins D was great, holding Marshawn Lynch to only 31 yards.  Losman only completed 13-27 and turned it over twice.  Pennington was 23-29, and the Dolphins controlled the clock.  Joey Porter had two sacks and a forced fumble.  Miami is now 8-5, which ties them for the division lead. (And the last wild card spot if the Ravens lose) The Bills continue to fail as they are now 6-7, and realistically, they're finished.

Broncos Top Chiefs 24-17: Statistically, this one shouldn't have been as close as it was, yet the Chiefs led 17-7 at one point.  The Chiefs had a chance to tie late-ish in the 4th, but fell a yard short on a 4th down.  Denver is 8-5, with the division essentially locked up.  Another team in a bad division that probably won't do much in the playoffs.  Chiefs are 2-11.

Now the playoff pictures are as fun as ever with 3 weeks left.  Denver and Tennessee have their divisions basically won.  But the AFC East is now a three way tie at 8-5 with the Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins.  With the Steelers beating the Cowboys, they are guaranteed a one game lead over the Ravens, but if Baltimore loses to Washington, a two game lead. 

That Baltimore game also is big in the wild card race.  Right now, the Colts at 9-4 are safe, and a Ravens win also puts them a game up on the next competitor.  But a Raven loss puts them and the AFC East teams all in a jumbled mess for the last wild card spot.

In the NFC, the Cardinals have a division wrapped up, and even with a loss, the Giants are safe.  The Vikings still hold a game on the Bears.  But the Monday Night Panthers/Buccaneers game along with tonights' Ravens/Redskins game are huge.  The winner of Panthers/Bucs is10-3 a game up in the division.  The loser is 9-4, still holding a wild card spot by a game.  Then, for the second wild card, you have Dallas and Atlanta tied at 8-5, with the Redskins potentially joining them with a win.  Plus, the Eagles at 7-5-1 and the Saints at 7-6 are both still in it.

And the great thing is, all you have to do is make it.  All of these teams are going to play like crazy to get those last spots, because all of the best teams get a chance.  And unlike college football, WE WILL have a legitimate champion at seasons' end.

Two great games left, Redskins/Ravens tonight (Live thread coming) and then Panthers/Buccaneers tomorrow.  Enjoy!