Go West Young Man, Go West?

Week 15 could be the tell all for where the road to Indianapolis (Super Bowl) will go through. I'll focus a lot on the AFC (Since the Packers have the NFC locked down) and I'll look at 3 teams today who all will travel west of the Mississippi. In the AFC, four teams are 10-3, with the Texans leading the way through tie-breakers. But of those four teams, the Texans are the only ones that are at home and have clinched their division. The Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers all are on the road and all have huge games that could have meaning in the playoff race. 

Lets start with the big game of the weekend, Patriots at Broncos. This game could be huge, not because of the Tebow-ism that's taken over the league right now, but this game puts the 10-3 Pats against the 8-5 Broncos. This game could be for tie-breaking purposes as well as can the team of the decade beat the rising phenomenon named Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Could today be the "changing" of the guard? Over the last 10 years, the Pats have been the darlings of the NFL, but if "Tebow-ism" beat the Pats today, could all of that finally change? 

I'll get on that topic later, but the reason why I am doing this entry is because of the huge impact this game could deliver for this year's AFC postseason picture. If the Pats pull off this victory, many people would be happy because the Tebow-mania would subside for a week and for Pats fans this could put them closer to having home-field in the AFC. But, if the Broncos were to pull out the win, this could give them the AFC West title and at least position this team for a possible run at the #1 or #2 seed in the AFC. Which leads me into the next AFC game.

Ravens at Chargers tonight could be a huge test for a Ravens team that's trying to make themselves the #1 top dog in the AFC. Ravens may have exercise their demons in the Steelers this season (winning the season series between the two) but seem to have mental breakdowns against teams they have NO business losing too (i.e. Jaguars, Seahawks and Titans). The Ravens don't want to repeat the last trip they made to the west-coast. As for the Chargers, making late season runs is their MO. However, this could be the final nail in the coffin that's known as the 2011 NFL season. The Chargers would have to win out and get help in order to make the playoffs, but winning their last two game is a good symbol for this team that's use to winning in the month of December.

If the Ravens can hang on the win this game, this would pretty much give the Ravens at least the #2 seed in the AFC and would very much wrap up the AFC North (with the Browns and Bengals left on their schedule). If the Chargers win, this would extend their other-wise not so good season by another week. Noteworthy to the Raven faithful, WIN THIS GAME TONIGHT!!!! Put the pressure on the Steelers!!! Which leads me to the final game of week 15.

Steelers at 49ers, this game has HUGE meaning on both teams who are in heated races within their respective conferences. This hurdle for the Steelers could be a tough one, being without the suspended James Harrison and having Big Ben injured and questionable to play in this game, the Steelers have to play the 49ers short-handed. As for the 49ers, who lost to the other AFC North top dog the Ravens a few weeks ago, will play a similar team in the Steelers. 

If the Steelers win this game, two things could happen: 1.) they could be leading the AFC North (if Ravens lose) or 2.) they could have locked down the #5 seed as a wild-card. The Steelers will go into Monday Night knowing the results of both the Pats, Ravens, and Texans games. If the 49ers win this game, this could lock down the #2 seed in the NFC and thus the 49ers would have two weeks plus a bye week to prepare for their first playoff game in 9 years.

So lets just say that the Super Bowl picture could be settled in the Wild, Wild West this week. Well I had to use something for the theme "Go West Young Man, Go West". We'll see what happens. Destination Super Bowl!!!!