Four games late, let's look:

Steelers Win Division With 13-9 Win Over Ravens: This game was exactly as expected.  A punch to the face defensive showdown.  No touchdown was scored until after 59 minutes had ticked off the clock.  It was a pretty even game from most statistical measures.  With 43 seconds, the Steelers scored the game winning touchdown on a Roethlisberger pass to Santonio Holmes.  The Steelers win the division at 11-3, and could end up with the #1 seed if they beat the Titans next week.  The Ravens are 9-5, entrenched in 3 team tie for the last wild card spot.

Vikings Kill Cardinals 35-14: The Cardinals had two turnovers in the first, and before you knew it, it was 21-0 in the first quarter.  Tarvaris Jackson went 11-17 for 163 yards and 4 touchdowns.  You know your defense is bad when Tarvaris throws for 4 TDs.  Adrian Peterson had 165 yards on the ground.  Whoever gets the #5 seed will be very lucky, they'll DESTROY the Cardinals.  Vikings are 9-5, still a game up on the Bears in the division.  The Cardinals are 8-6.

Patriots Defeat Raiders 49-26: From the "Not at all shocking" files.  Matt Cassel had 4 touchdowns and they ran for 277 yards.  Ironically enough, we had back-to-back kickoff return touchdowns.  Patriots are 9-5 in a 3-way tie for the AFC East.  Raiders are 3-11.

Panthers Beat Broncos 30-10:  Denver scored all of their points early, and after the first quarter, the Panther D didn't let the Broncos do anything.  Steve Smith had a big day, getting 9 catches for 165 yards.  With that win, the Panthers quietly continue to be one of the NFC's elite.  They are 11-3, and virtually have the division locked up.  Facing the Giants next week, if the Panthers win they'll either be tied with the tiebreaker, or a full game up on the Giants for the #1 seed. (Depends on Giants/Cowboys)  As for the Broncos, at 8-6 the Chargers can still potentially come back, Denver should beat the Bills next week.  (And the Chargers should lose to Tampa anyway)

Now with two weeks to go, and here's the AFC Playoff picture.  The Titans and Steelers have won both of their divisions, but play next week for the #1 seed.  Bet they don't wish they were so stupid against the Texans today.  A Steeler win over Tennessee would give the Steelers the #1 seed if they win the next week, or if the Titans lost the last week.  As for Tennessee, win, you get the #1 seed.  Either way, these two teams will have the first round bye it appears.

Denver is 8-6, and while they could lose the division in theory, they won't.  All they need to do is beat the sorry Bills, or have San Diego lose to the Buccaneers.  Either way, Denver will probably get bounced early, they are unimpressive.

The AFC East remains entrenched in a 3-way tie, the Jets have the tiebreaker, but they play the Dolphins week 17 for what might be the division.  But that tie is also for the last wild card spot.  Since the Jets are the division leader, there is a 3-way tie for the #6 seed between the Patriots, Dolphins, and Ravens.  At 10-4, the Colts are a game up holding the #5 seed, so as long as they don't lose, they're in.

As for the NFC, Giants/Cowboys tonight still makes an impact.  The Giants and Cardinals have divisions won, the Panthers are two games up, so they've basically won the division.  The Vikings hold a game up on the Bears, with the tiebreaker still to be determined by the last two weeks.

The Giants/Panthers game will be huge next week, as it could determine the #1 seed.  If the Giants lose to Dallas, the winner of that game is guaranteed the #1 seed.  If the Giants win over Dallas, then a loss to Carolina gives them the same record.  (Panthers with the tiebreaker)  So, that game next week is freaking huge.

As for the wild card race, Washington's loss puts them out of it.  It could be a two team or four team race.  Right now, the Buccaneers and Falcons are tied for the spots at 9-5.  A Dallas win puts them in that tie, and if Philadelphia wins, they'd be a half game back and still in the hunt.

BIG game tonight, and like NFC East games always are, it should be good.  Enjoy!