Week 17

As the new year approaches, so does the end of the NFL regular season, and with it the beginning of a new season: the playoffs. This years playoffs are shaping up to be an interesting one, as it will feature a mix of both playoff veterans and some rookie standouts. 

In the AFC the teams are set, it is now just a matter of determining the seeding at the top. If the Texans win they have the number seed, even if the Broncos and Patriots do the same. However, if the Texans lose and the Broncos win, Denver will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Patriots meanwhile will have to win and have both Houston and Denver lose in order to get the number one seed, and even if just one of those teams loses the Patriots will receive a first round bye. The AFC is led by future hall of famers Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Both are having outstanding seasons yet again, and both have made the pro bowl yet again. The other quarterbacks in the AFC include a couple of players who haven't yet won the big game, Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub. Now Schaub missed the playoffs because of injury last year, but he has been around for a while now. The last two seeds are the Colts and Bengals, led by second year man Andy Dalton and a rookie by the name of Andrew Luck. 

Luck is not the only rookie in the playoffs though, Seahawks starting quarterback Russell Wilson has led Seattle to the playoffs. Wilson has led an excellent defense and punishing running attack to the playoffs and will likely hold the 5th seed. The other quarterbacks in this years playoffs include Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers. He has led the Packers to another successful season, and avenge last years embarrassing loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants. Matt Ryan has led the Falcons to the best record in the NFC, and hopes to finally get a win in the playoffs. His other competition lies in San Fransisco, where Colin Kaepernick has taken over at quarterback and led them to the playoffs for the second straight year. While many are still surprised at coach Harbaughs move to sit Alex Smith, there is no doubt that Kaepernick has played well to this point. 

Now the final playoff seed will be decided by Minnesota; the Vikings play the Packers, and if they win they're in. However, if they lose and the Bears win then the Bears are in the playoffs. The most intriguing matchup of week lies in Washington, where the Redskins and the Cowboys will battle for the division title.

One team is led by an established quarterback who can't get any respect because of his failure to win the "big game". The other is led by an electric rookie who has taken the league by storm. Tony Romo vs. RGIII will be the matchup on Sunday Night, and the result could mean two things. It could mean relief for Romo, and a chance to finally win a big game for the Dallas Cowboys or it could mean the beginning of a new era for the Redskins. Either way it is sure to be an exciting day in football, one that will require not getting up from the couch.

SEC Championship

Georgia starting quarterback Aaron Murray had a chance to send his team to the national championship, but as his last minute shot down field came down into the arms of an Alabama defensive back, so did the teams hopes. 

Alabama came away with a 32-28 win at the Georgia Dome Saturday night, and will likely play, once again, for the BCS national championship. Alabama came into the game ranked second in the BCS rankings, behind only the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The defense showed why it is the number two team in the nation when it counted sealing the deal for the Crimson Tide. 

Now this sets up a matchup of two storied programs in Notre Dame and Alabama. Which team will come out victorious? Well we have an entire month to debate that, as the national championship game will not take place until the seventh of January, when the two teams will battle in Miami. Until then, there is plenty of NFL football, and basketball to watch, so don't think that there's nothing to do for the next four weeks.