Sunday Scorecard: Who's making the playoffs?

Our experts provide analysis on this week's action around the league.

Week 12 -- Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 (Following 1 p.m. ET games)
Questions:	Prisco Analysis	Judge Analysis	Richard Analysis	Kay Analysis
First down: Which of the following AFC teams WILL make the playoffs: Browns, Titans, Bills and Texans?	It will be the Browns. The Jaguars will get one of the wild-card spots, so that means there's one left. The Browns would have it right now and they have a favorable schedule the rest of the way. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Browns even move past the Jaguars into the fifth spot.	The Browns will. Forget the Titans. I thought they were a lock a month ago, but those last three losses convinced me it's not going to happen. So make it the Browns and Jags as wild-card entries. The way the Browns are going they may not lose again.	With Jacksonville taking one wild-card spot, the Browns will get the second and might have the stuff to cause an upset at Pittsburgh in the wild-card round. The other teams have too many holes and have lost too many games, and Cleveland's defense might be hitting their stride right now.	With games against powerhouses like the Jets, Bengals and Niners, the Browns are playoffs-bound. What a year for Cuyahoga and Co. First the Cavs reach the Finals, then the Tribe flirt in Fall and now this? Too bad the city is really, really dangerous.
Second down: Same game...which of the following NFC teams WILL make the playoffs: Seahawks, Saints, Lions, and Redskins?	I'll take the Seahawks and that's it. I think either Seattle or Arizona will win that NFC West and the other will be a wild-card team. The Giants will be the other wild-card team With Tampa Bay going to win the NFC South, the Saints will be left out and the Redskins and Lions will be as well.	The Seahawks will because they will win the NFC West. I know, Arizona is hanging tough, and good for the Cards. I also know they knocked off Seattle earlier this season. But the Seahawks get them at home, where the Seahawks rarely lose so ... make it Seattle.	The Seahawks will win their division, and the Saints have a better shot than the Lions, who are getting snippy and have a tough schedule in front of them, and the Redskins, who are too Jekyll-and-Hyde. New Orleans has to aim for that No. 6 seed in the NFC if Arizona doesn't slip first.	Despite Mike Holmgren's persistent tries to maintain mediocrity in the Pacific Northwest, the Seahawks will get in (here's your game ball, Mr. Frerotte). The Saints will make the suits at Visa proud by sneaking into the playoffs. What a wonderful commercial.
Third down: Is Eli Manning's performance an aberration or indicative of a bigger problem?	I think it's an aberration. He's a better player than that. He was coming off a big game at Detroit and just had one of those days where everything went wrong. One of those picks for a score should have been a touchdown for the Giants, but it was deflected at the line of scrimmage. He's better than he looked, but, boy, he was bad.	It's indicative of a bigger issue, namely the disappearance of Plaxico Burress. Burress was the team's playmaker in the first half of the season, but not practicing has caught up with him. Without Burress, the Giants are down to one reliable pass receiver, and that's not good.	The problem in New York is that they don't have an effective running game without Brandon Jacobs, and Plaxico Burress is playing hurt. When those two issues are solved, Manning will play better. Problem is, that might not be until 2008.	If I'm Eli, I kindly "suggest" that Peyton stays away from any future games. Between big bro's six vs. San Diego and Eli's four today, there has to be a family interception record broken, somewhere.
Fourth down: Anybody getting tired of Chad Johnson's celebration antics?	Never. The more the merrier. But I will say this: Celebrating scores when your team is struggling to win games is a bit much. But I like the creativity. I like the emotion. I will never complain about celebrations. Chad Johnson has fun and that's a good thing.	I tired of them long ago. The Bengals came into today with three wins, and the guy's doing stand-up comedy following his first touchdown? Please. It was tiresome when they were winning, but now it must stop. Figure out how to win, Chad, instead of cheroeographing your next celebration.	How can we be tired of them when he hasn't scored much this season -- until today. I, for one, appreciate Chad's attempt at being an honorary CBS cameraman. I don't know why he stepped up big this week and not in previous weeks, but he needs to refocus if he's going to be a stat freak like he's been in the past.	Cameraman? C'mon, I'm guessing his script writer is still on strike. Zing! Celebrate away, my friend. Just beware, Marvin Lewis (he of the hot-seat variety) just may bludgeon you to death with his crutches the next time.

Week 12 -- Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 (Following 4 p.m. ET games)
Questions:	Prisco Analysis	Judge Analysis	Richard Analysis	Kay Analysis
First down: Rex Grossman and Devin Hester lead the Bears to a stunning comeback win over the Broncos. Is there still Chicago playoff hope?	They're slim to almost none, but they are alive. That was a heck of a fourth-quarter comeback. Devin Hester came up huge, but Rex Grossman also played well. The Bears would have been done without a victory. As it is, they still are long shots.	Sure. The Bears play in the NFC, so there's hope for anyone that can get to 9-7. And the Bears can. But they have a some speed bumps along the way -- like Washington, Green Bay and the Giants. But they finish with two at home, and if they're close that could push them over the top.	Considering the state of the NFC, I'd have to say yes. They're going to need to learn how to tackle opposing running backs and find a new strong safety, but their Adrian Peterson will give them the ground game they need, and this win will give them the confidence.	They're still a Super Bowl runner-up, so they're odds aren't good. But sometimes teams get those definining wins. This could be one of those. Then again, if opponents simply never kick to Devin Hester the Bears won't win another game.
Second down: More impressive performance: Andre Hall's first start or Devin Hester's record day?	It has to be Hester's record day. Hall had a nice game for his first start, but you and me could go for a 100 in the Broncos' system. Hester's returns were the reason the Bears even had a chance. He had one punt return for a score and one kickoff return for a score. That's a first even for him.	Andre Hall's first start. I already know about Devin Hester. Apparently, I know more than Denver because the Broncos kept kicking to the guy. But I knew nothing about Hall before last Monday. Now he's proof that Mike Shanahan can make anyone a star at the position.	Andre Hall doing what he did to the Bears impressed me more. This was a guy who ran well at the University of South Florida and bounced around the league until landing with Denver. Also, I am completely unimpressed with everything the Bears do except return kicks/punts.	Prisco could run behind the Broncos' zone-blocking line and rack up 150 yards. Andre Hall's day was nice, but c'mon, Devin Hester broke Gale Sayers' Bears record, helped Chicago save its season for another week and pulled a Bo Jackson. That's a solid day's work.
Third down: Is it fair to put Baltimore's Brian Billick on the hot seat?	It's fair and he's on it. But the word is he won't get fired. He got a contract extension last year so it would cost a pretty penny to let him go. Something has to be done with the way the team plays offense, though. They need a new system With Billick as the offensive coordinator that falls on him. He needs help. I can see him being told to bring a coordinator in to liven things up.	It's fair, but I don't see how it happens. After extending his contract last year, the Ravens have too much invested in him. I can't see them eating $16 million or whatever it is. But there's this: He was 13-3 a year ago. So he flopped this season. It happens. Knee-jerk reactions are not how you get anywhere.	You can do it all you want, but the guy got a new contract last offseason and probably has one more year left in him. Call me nuts, but I think Norv Turner's on the hotter seat than Billick.	There's no denying he's provided the franchise with all sorts of stability in an unstable world. But that defense is getting older, and rebuilding at key positions will be priority. I don't see him as a rebuilding coach. Promote Rex Ryan and bring in Norv Turner, once he's fired, to run the offense.
Fourth down: Give me a performance that caught your eye Sunday?	Watching Frank Gore run reminded me of his play in '06. We haven't seen much this season because he's been bothered by injuries. Plus, his line hasn't played that well. But Gore ran hard and tough and went over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns to help key the 49ers upset of the Cardinals.	Kolby Smith running for a zillion yards against Oakland. OK, so the Raiders aren't exactly the '85 Bears. The Chiefs' offensive line isn't exactly what it was two or three years ago, either. Smith carried that Kansas City offense on Sunday, and hooray for him.	Kolby Smith caught my eye. I didn't think he could take advantage of his matchup against the Raiders. The one word I have to say after his 150 rush yards and two touchdowns: Oops.	Washington has a must-win game vs. Tampa Bay. What does it do? Cough the ball up four times in a span of 16 plays. This team simply has no idea how to win a close football game. If it wasn't before, Joe Gibbs' legacy is officially tarnished.

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