Week 9 wrap; what we know

It's been a crazy, unpredictable season in the NFL this year. So I'd like to take a moment to discuss what we do know:

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be kicking themselves in January if they miss the playoffs. One week after being upset by Cleveland, the Jags took on the winless Bengals... And LOST! This week, they face the winless Lions, so they had best win that one if they want any shot at the playoffs.

Falcons fans everywhere are laughing in the face of Sporting News, who predicted the birds would go 1-15. Funny? Yes. Funny Ha-Ha? Definately. The Falcons not only are better than the 1-15 team Sporting News predicted them to be, but are a legitimate playoff contender. Matt Ryan is 10 times better of a passer than Vick ever was, and Michael Turner may be the best free-agent pickup since, well, ever. On top of that, their defense and special teams is better. These guys are finally a team. They're biggest problem? They're division, which is arguably the best division in the NFL.

The AFC East is tough to figure out. Just when you thought the Bills were going to run away with it, they lose to a pair of division rivals. All four teams are within a game of each other. Colts' fans, start cheering against this division. These are the teams that could keep yours out of the playoffs. Note: Sporting News also said that 3 of these 4 teams would finish NO BETTER than 7-9. The only team they said would do better? The New England Patriots at 14-2.

The NFC West is almost in hand. The Cardinals just have to keep winning and the division is theirs. Sorry Seahawks', Rams', and 'Niner fans, but you know it's true. This just isn't your year.

And finally, to wrap things up, the Dallas Cowboys, sportsnation's almost unanamous pick to win it all, is no better than the 10th best team in the league. That does not include teams with better records such as the Falcons or the Patriots. Nor does it include the Rams, who blew them out. When they get Romo back they might contend. But this team has to many egos to win a super-bowl right now. Think New York Yankees.

That's a wrap. See you Thursday for week 10 picks.