The NFL play-off system. You might not like it but at least it's fair.
There isn't any voting, any TV interests at work, it's just simple. If you are one of the 12 best teams in the NFL (or if you've sucked less than your rivals and won your division) you get a play-off place. Six teams go from the NFC, six teams from the AFC.
Front of the queue: the Packers have already booked their play-off spot
The best teams get home field advantage, while the very best team seals it throughout the play-offs - something that more often than not helps them in their quest for a Super Bowl.
Unfair
But in college football, there's no play-off system.
This year the National Championship was between LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma State. The last time we looked, things would be a bit unfair if LSU had to play both teams at the same time or as a combined entity, although to be fair, we'd take Oklahoma State's offense - plus Trent Richardson at running back - and Alabama's defense and special teams in this match-up, so two into three didn't go.
The Steelers not only have a 9-3 record but Sunday's game at home to Cleveland should see them go to 10-3 which pretty much wraps up a play-off spot bar complete disaster or a miracle run from Oakland.
Alex Ferguson
Quotes of the week
Oklahoma State - via an unholy mixture of computer analysis which would stupefy Einstein - lost, despite winning their conference after annihilating former No.1 Oklahoma in their final game.
The University of Alabama (who, by the way, lost 9-6 against LSU at home, and didn't even win their division let alone their conference) managed to squeeze in the National Championship Game, leaving the Cowboys and their fans to spit bullets.
In other words, it's not fair.
Predictions
Now we're back in NFL-land (college football's biggest games don't kick off until January 2), and the big boys have a tortuous four games to battle it out for a play-off place.
Green Bay and San Francisco have already made it, but there are 10 other teams still battling it out.
I'm going to run down who's in and who's out - with my famed predictions for Week 1 of the month-long play-off run-in! Go to Sky Bet and place your savings on Denver or Detroit if you dare...
NFC
Who's Already In?
Green Bay (NFC North) and San Francisco (NFC West)
Who are the favourites to win the remaining divisions?
New Orleans (NFC South) (Should be Tennessee on Sunday, despite their 3-3 away record) and Dallas (NFC East) (although the game between the Cowboys and New York Giants on Sunday night is a toss-up).
Who are favourites to sneak in?
Chicago (NFC North) are favoured to beat Detroit out for a play-off place, although the Denver game becomes a must-win on Sunday if Detroit turns over Minnesota at home. If Detroit wins and Chicago loses, Detroit jumps into the play-offs places and Chicago falls to sixth. Also favourites are Atlanta (NFC South), who has the win over Detroit this season. The Falcons will be favoured to beat Carolina on the road, but if they don't, then they'll be bounced out in favour of Chicago (who they lost to).
MY PREDICTION FOR THE PLAY-OFF PLACES: Green Bay, San Francisco, New Orleans, Dallas, Detroit, Atlanta
AFC
Who's In: No-one
Who are the favourites to win their division?
New England (East), Houston (South), Baltimore (North) and Denver (West) at the moment are in the pound seats to be in the play-offs. While New England, Houston and Baltimore's positions look pretty healthy thanks to their strong records and a fairly healthy list of games this weekend, Denver has Chicago -also fighting for its play-off life while Oakland is probably going to get torched at Green Bay. However, a loss for both West teams keeps Denver atop the standings. San Diego doesn't look as though it can recover.
Favourites to sneak in?
Pittsburgh (North) and Cincinnati (North) - The Steelers not only have a 9-3 record but Sunday's game at home to Cleveland should see them go to 10-3 which pretty much wraps up a play-off spot bar complete disaster or a miracle run from Oakland. The Bengals have a better win percentage for conference games than Tennessee and the New York Jets, although this could all change if they lose (as predicted) to Houston on Sunday and the Jets beat Kansas City and Oakland pulls out an upset-of-2011 win in Lambeau Field.
OUR PREDICTION FOR THE PLAY-OFF PLACES: New England, Baltimore, Houston, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
