The Developing NFL Playoff Picture

As the #NFL regular season winds down, there is still plenty to be decided, in Week 16. The developing playoff picture will become a little more clear, with the conclusion of each game today. As we prepare for the early games, here's what we know.

We know the #Patriots #Broncos & #Colts, are all divison winners, in the #AFC. Only the jumbled AFC North, remains in doubt. The #Bengals, #Steelers, and #Ravens, all believe they can win the division!

AFC

Division Leaders	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
[y] Patriots	11	3	0	3-1	8-2
[y] Broncos	11	3	0	5-0	9-1
[y] Colts	10	4	0	5-0	8-3
Bengals	9	4	1	3-2	6-4

Wild Card	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Steelers	9	5	0	3-2	7-3
Ravens	9	5	0	2-3	5-5

In The Hunt	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Chargers	9	6	0	2-3	6-5
Chiefs	8	6	0	2-3	6-4
Bills	8	6	0	3-2	4-6
Texans	7	7	0	3-2	6-4
Dolphins	7	7	0	3-2	6-5
Browns	7	7	0	2-3	4-7

• [x] Clinched Playoff Berth

• [y] Clinched Division Title
• [z] Clinched First-Round Bye
• [*] Clinched Homefield Advantage in Playoffs

We also know the Buccaneers, and #Bears, can play spoiler, in the #NFC, making things rough on the #Packers,and #Lions, if they can manage to hold serve at home. We know the #Redskins have already pushed the #Eagles to the brink of elimination, with a 27 - 24 Saturday afternoon victory at home. We know the #Chargers are still alive, with a stunning, come back win over the 49ers last night, 38-35, in Overtime.

NFC

Division Leaders	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
[x] Cardinals	11	3	0	3-1	8-2
[x] Lions	10	4	0	4-0	8-2
Cowboys	10	4	0	3-2	7-4
Saints	6	8	0	2-2	5-5

Wild Card	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Seahawks	10	4	0	3-1	8-2
Packers	10	4	0	4-1	7-3

In The Hunt	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Eagles	9	6	0	3-2	5-6
Panthers	5	8	1	3-2	5-6
Falcons	5	9	0	4-0	5-5

• [x] Clinched Playoff Berth

• [y] Clinched Division Title
• [z] Clinched First-Round Bye
• [*] Clinched Homefield Advantage in Playoffs

We know that for the #Seahawks, #Cardinals, #Packers, and #Cowboys, the playoffs have already started. Everyone is playing for division supremacy, and for those coveted, home playoff games. Destiny will be discussed heavily today, and in the final week of the regular season. In the words of the late Al Davis, "Just Win Baby!" Win and you're in.

Finally, we know that Week 16 in the NFL, will lead to speculations of change, in many organizations. Who will be looking for new coaches? Who will be looking to add players? Who will draft first, in 2015? Will it be the #Raiders? #Buccaneers? Perhaps the #Titans?

Stay Tuned, and watch the playoff picture, and a lot of other NFL questions, come into focus!


#SPzY

The Yak Is Back!

 

 

Hello SPortz Fans!!!

The SPortz Yak is BACK, and writing for you again!

I want to take a moment, just to say Thanks! Thank You, to anyone out there, who has followed The SPortz Yak in the past. I was always, and still remain, truly Grateful for your support.

For lack of a better explanation, I think I've been trying to find myself. Trying to perfect my craft, if you will. I have ultimately decided, I can only improve if I keep writing, and keep putting it out there every day for you. As a hitting instructor, http://www.stlouisbandits.org, I tell my kids, "The best way to have success, the best way to become better hitters, is to hit, hit, and keep hitting. Then, hit some more." Logic has finally convinced me, the same must be true for writing.



It is not an exact science, and I'm no expert. I do, very much enjoy writing, especially about sports. Sports in this town, are a huge part of who I am, and who I have always been, long before I had the honor to wear the birds on the bat across my chest, for 3 seasons. Like all of you, I live and die with our St. Louis teams, and I love sharing thoughts and ideas on the #Cards, #Blues, #Rams, #Mizzou Tigers, #SLU, even #MMA, with my family, friends, and all of my fellow St. Louis SPortz Fans out there.

I am definitely a "Homer," when it comes to St. Louis sports, but I try to always be fair, and honest. If it's good, I love to say it's good. If it's not so good, I don't mind saying that either. Then share my perspective, about why it's not so good. I know some of you will disagree, and I encourage you to disagree. That leads to healthy debates. The truth is, I simply appreciate you taking the time to read my work, and hope you enjoy what you're reading, even if you disagree.

In addition to re-kindling my affair with sports writing, I have also been very fortunate recently, to have a new opportunity in Radio. Thanks to my friend, +Steve Runge, I've been doing some game analysis with him, on AM1280 KYRO, www.westplexnewstalk.com, while he calls Troy Trojans football games. Last week, in his absence, I was blessed with the chance to finally call my first game. There isn't even time to explain how much fun that was, and I look forward to the next shot, when it presents itself. I don't know how I sounded, and I don't even care. I was more concerned with just getting through it. Mission Accomplished!

It has been a long and bumpy road. A lot of it is still under construction, so we simply proceed with caution, try to avoid the potholes, and continue to move things forward. I'm so happy for every new opportunity, and I believe there will be more on the horizon, if I keep working.

With that, I am very proud to re-launch, The SPortz Yak. With your support and feedback, I plan to keep this ship afloat, and there is plenty of room for new passengers.

Welcome Aboard.

SPzY

Please Protest Peacefully.

This isn't a typical SPortz Yak blog today. Right now, St. Louis Mo is in a state of emergency. Michael Brown was shot, and killed on Saturday Aug. 9, 2014, by a Ferguson Mo. police officer. Since that incident occurred, there has been very high tension between law enforcement and citizens.

I have really tried to remain objective, as the unrest has continued to mount in my city. But I can no longer hold back my disappointment. From the police, to the media, the situation has gone beyond unruly, and all sides are responsible. I will not even comment on the Ferguson police dept., or their Chief, other than to say this. When this is all over, I hope the citizens of Ferguson demand, and get, his resignation. Moving on.

Let's get one thing straight. The people who continue to loot & pillage businesses, in and around Ferguson, and confront police, ARE NOT PROTESTERS!!! PLEASE Stop reporting that Police are deploying tear gas on "Protesters." Those people are criminals, & the vast majority of those criminals, aren't even residents of Ferguson.

The REAL Protesters, have been peaceful and compliant, from the beginning. They want answers. They want justice for Michael Brown. They do not want the violence and destruction, taking place in the streets every night.

The looters and agitators, throwing flaming cocktails, destroying businesses, and shooting at police, are NOT protesting the Mike Brown situation. They are out for PERSONAL gain only. Again, I say the media should stop calling them protesters, and start calling them what they are. Criminals.
I think its an insult to the Brown family, and the citizens of Ferguson, who have been seen side by side with police, trying to prevent the violence. They have pleaded with everyone to protest PEACEFULLY.

They, (the criminals), don't understand how much their actions are giving the police justification to use gas, and rubber bullets. Perhaps they just don't care. They want to see themselves on TV, out there robbing places, before they blend in with those who are out for Justice. Then it appears to the world, on camera, that police are drawing down on the innocent citizens of Ferguson. They are NOT! Police are trying to protect those citizens and businesses.

These criminals turn peaceful, positive protest vigils by day, into an unruly situation, by night. Even with a curfew imposed, they continue to taunt, threaten, and even attack the police. Then they wonder why canisters are deployed?

"Why are we being treated this way by the people sworn to protect us? If we can't trust police, who can we trust?"

Sorry criminals! You cannot have it both ways. I have YET to see police lines move against the PEACEFUL Protesters. In fact, I have seen officers walking hand in hand, with the citizens of Ferguson. Unfortunately, the criminals are blending in with the majority of peaceful demonstrators, and making the situation much worse. It all needs to stop.

Everyone is issuing challenges these days. Here's a challenge for the criminals and looters out there, making the whole city look bad around the World.

Stop It!

I challenge everyone to protest this murder, yes I believe Michael Brown was executed, peacefully. I know the outrage reaches beyond the Ferguson, and beyond the St. Louis City limits. This is a national epidemic. Still criminals, you are NOT being part of the solution. You may be fanning the flames, and drawing attention, but you are not solving any of your issues, with your actions. BE SMART!!

I challenge everyone to protest peacefully, and channel the anger into something positive. Stop destroying the businesses that choose to operate in the community. Stop giving the police a reason to become aggressive, because they have shown all week, that they will move on you. They are simply doing an unpleasant job. A job they are sworn to do, and they WILL do, when provoked.

I challenge all of St. Louis, and all of the Nation, to do better than what we have seen for the last 10 days. I also challenge the police to stop killling unarmed young blacks. We have GOT to do better than this America. We have GOT to do better than this St. Louis.

Praying for Peace in Ferguson Tonight.

SPzY

‪#‎ChallengeforPeace‬ ‪#‎Ferguson‬ ‪#‎JusticeforMichaelBrown‬