Week 16 Judgements: Jets just might make it after all

1. People tell me the Jets can determine their own fate, but somehow I think their playoff hopes depend more on what Cincinnati does next weekend. If the Bengals pull an Indianapolis and sit down starters in the second half the Jets can … and probably do … make the playoffs. Somebody pass the word to Rex Ryan.

2. Congratulations, Curtis Painter. You just guaranteed another 15 minutes of fame for Don Shula and the '72 Miami Dolphins.

3. For the first time since taking over as the Giants' full-time starter, Eli Manning will not make the playoffs -- and, pardon me, but don't blame it on him. The Giants defense had holes the size of the Delaware Water Gap, allowing 40 or more points four times this season, and if I'm Tom Coughlin the first move I make is hiring a new defensive coordinator. The Giants weren't just bad on defense this season; they stunk. If John Fox doesn't return as head coach of Carolina I know a club that could use him back coaching its defense.

4. Trust me, the fans in San Diego are more nervous about playing New England in the playoffs than they are Indianapolis, and here's why: The last time they had a season like this the Patriots went to San Diego and upset their heroes. But there's one difference, people: Those Patriots could win on the road. They were 7-1. This year's Pats are 2-5.

5. After what I've seen of the Washington Redskins the past two weeks, I'd say Albert Haynesworth got the better end of the deal when he was sent home.

6. And the Tampa Bay game ball goes to ... Bill Cowher. Maybe the Glazers can fire up their club this week by interviewing Brian Billick.

7. Whenever I see close-ups of Jim Zorn on the sidelines I think I'm watching a promo for ABC's Lost.

8. If Philadelphia lets Michael Vick walk, look for St. Louis to be interested. The Rams need a quarterback, won't take one with the first draft pick and have a general manager (Billy Devaney) who worked with Vick in Atlanta and visited him while he was in prison.

9. Sorry, John Harbaugh, that was a good call that erased a last-minute interception. You don't get to mug a receiver twice ... or was it three times? … and get away with it. If Harbaugh wants to blame the latest loss on someone go into the locker room -- the Ravens dropped too many passes and committed way too many penalties.

10. The worst team the past three weeks isn't St. Louis, Kansas City or Tampa Bay. It's Seattle. The Seahawks have been outscored 106-24 in three losses, and maybe, just maybe, Mike Holmgren is lucky not to be going back.

11. I can't say enough about the job that Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis has done. He holds his team together through two tragedies -- the deaths of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife and wide receiver Chris Henry -- and wins a division that includes last year's conference championship participants and the defending Super Bowl champion. Attaboy, Marvin.

12. The more I think about it, the more I'd like a Philip Rivers-Drew Brees Super Bowl. Brees was San Diego's starter until Rivers was drafted, then left after hurting his shoulder in the 2005 season finale. People in San Diego still debate who's the better quarterback. So let's settle it mano-a-mano.

13. Gee, you don't think Mike Shanahan's alleged interest in the University of Florida job might have caused Urban Meyer to change his mind, do you?

14. The happiest guy that Cleveland just hired Mike Holmgren? Try Brady Quinn. Holmgren knows how to groom young quarterbacks, and Quinn could use the help. He's smart, but he's inaccurate.

15. I don't care if Carolina GM Marty Hurney wants Jake Delhomme back. Matt Moore gets the football; Delhomme gets the bench.

Sez them ... or Rapid Reporters' Rewind

From Michael Erler in San Francisco ... Let's hear it for San Francisco's defense. It's tied with the Jets for most games without allowing a touchdown (four), tied with the Jets and Patriots for most games allowing 10 or fewer points (six) and the only team in the NFL to force five turnovers in three games this season.

From William Bendetson in New England ... The Patriots appear to have found their ideal corner combination with Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden on the outside and Jonathan Wilhite in the slot. Plus, they're getting more pressure on the quarterback as linebacker Tully Banta-Cain has become a force off the edge while improving against the run.

From Alex Raskin with the New York Giants ... Give Carolina coach John Fox deserves credit for beating Minnesota and the New York Giants with his own club out of the playoff picture. "Those are things I'll never forget," Fox said. "It's those guys in that room [the locker room] that make it all worthwhile."

From Josh Katzowitz in Cincinnati ... That was no accident when coach Marvin Lewis walked into the interview room without an AFC North championship hat. "No [Gatorade] shower, no hat," he said. "We want to earn another hat. There are two more to earn. It's a little different atmosphere than it was a few years ago (2005). This group knows there are more of them."

From Gerrard Diaz in Green Bay ... Running back Ryan Grant has rediscovered his big-play ability the last few weeks, with a 56-yard score against Seattle, a 24-yarder vs. Pittsburgh and a 62-yarder against Chicago. While Aaron Rodgers still is the club's biggest threat, a big-play rushing threat could give Green Bay the ability to go on the road and win.

From Larry Holder in Tampa Bay ... At least the Bucs made history: With their victory, it's the first time a 12-loss team (Tampa Bay) has beaten a 13-win club (New Orleans).

From Craig Morgan in Arizona ... There wasn't much to learn from the Rams' demolition of St. Louis, but the play of tackles Jeremy Bridges and Levi Brown should be a concern heading into the playoffs. Brown has struggled with speed off the edge and did again Sunday, while Bridges hasn't reached the level of play he showed in his first start against the Vikings after replacing Mike Gandy. Speed off the edge has been a common thread in all four games Kurt Warner has started and lost this season.

Five things I like

1. Norv Turner to get Coach of the Year consideration. I'm serious. Say what you want about him, he won 10 straight while using 61 players and has the second-best team in the AFC. It's the most players the Bolts wheeled out since they dressed 62 in 2004.

Props to Santonio Holmes for stepping up against the Ravens. (Getty Images)

2. Jacksonville owner Wayne Weaver and his wife meeting with former Jags running back Fred Taylor before the game. Class move, Wayne.

3. The San Francisco 49ers' defense at home. For the second consecutive game at Candlestick, the 49ers forced at least six turnovers.

4. Santonio Holmes vs. Baltimore. That makes seven consecutive games where he produced a touchdown catch against the Ravens.

5. Defensive tackle John Henderson's explanation for why New England gashed the Jags for 197 yards rushing. "We just didn't tackle very well. It's that simple." I'd say that covers it.

Five things I don't

1. Kansas City on its first series. The Chiefs have one field goal, one fumble and 13 punts. Somewhere, Chan Gailey doesn't feel so bad.

2. Oakland after victory. In their four games following wins the Raiders have been outscored 142-32. Just lose, baby.

3. Derrick Mason's drop of a sure touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. When a ball ricochets off your helmet you know it's catchable -- and this one was.

4. The direction New Orleans is going. When coaches talk about peaking at the right time, losing to Tampa Bay is not what they have in mind. The Saints have been in a downward spiral the past month -- lucky to beat Washington in OT before holding off Atlanta and losing to Dallas and Tampa Bay. Over the past four games, they're 2-2 and have been outscored 97-93. Time to man-up, guys. "I've said this before," said Saints' coach Sean Payton, "in our league it's either crisis or carnival because the stuff in the middle doesn't sell. Now you hit adversity. We've got to get ready to play a team that's playing well, Carolina."

5. Philadelphia's Macho Harris returning kicks. He fumbled twice, one of which was turned into a touchdown. Quintin Demps, where are you?

Just asking but ...

• Was that too early to shut down the Colts?

• How long before Jim Zorn turns up as an assistant in Cleveland?

• Think Terrell Owens has second thoughts about choosing Buffalo?

• Who has a better chance of returning to the Giants -- Osi Umenyiora or Bill Sheridan?

• Who wins the NFC?

Significant numbers

• 1 -- Brandon Jacobs rushing yards

• 2 -- Baltimore touchdowns lost to penalties

• 3 -- Games this season where San Francisco forced five or more turnovers

• 89 -- Total yards in the first quarter of the Kansas City-Cincinnati game

• 206 -- Yards rushing by Jonathan Stewart

• 1976 -- Last time Cards had 10 wins

• 0-5 -- Miami's record vs. Houston, the only club it hasn't beaten

• 19-2 -- New England's home record in December under Bill Belichick

My top five

1. Indianapolis
2. New Orleans
3. San Diego
4. Minnesota
5. Philadelphia

My bottom five

32. St. Louis
31. Detroit
30. Kansas City
29. Tampa Bay

28. Washington

Next weekend's three best game

Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets ... Pssst, Rex, you're still playoff eligible.

Philadelphia at Dallas ... NFC East on the line.

New England at Houston ... Texans take shot at winning season.