About 75% of the games in the NFL are impossible to predict. One could have one of the best teams in the league (Seahawks) going against their division rival, a team that’s mediocre at best (Rams) and even then it’s impossible to determine what’s going to happen. I predicted a dominant performance by Seattle because after last week’s win in Arizona, it felt like the road woes had been shaken off by this team. Turn to a scrappy Rams team and what seemed like 50 flags thrown by the officials resulted in Seattle needing everything it had to squeak out a victory on the road. The Rams looked like they were going to win game, producing a drive in the final minutes of the game only to see it come up just a few yards short as time expired. St. Louis was riding Zac Stacy’s great game (134 yds) for pretty much the entire comeback but when it came to the most critical possessions, he was only handed the ball once. Questionable play calling against a defense like Seattle’s is usually going to result in a team coming up empty in the red zone. Overall it was a weird game because the refs were a little too involved. Or was that just me? It seemed like the second half had a penalty flag on every other play. Russell Wilson didn’t have the greatest game (128 yds, 2 TDs) but it was enough offense to get the Seahawks the win so all’s well that ends well for Seattle as they improve to 7-1 and continue to keep pace with the Saints for the best record in the conference. Most of Wilson’s yards came on a bomb to Golden Tate, who went from excellent catch to complete idiot in a matter of seconds as a result of blatant taunting towards the Rams’ secondary. We all love some trash talking but taunting is taking it too far and there’s no place for it in professional sports.

Now that we’re officially halfway through the season (shedding a quick tear) it’s a good time to take a quick look at the playoff picture for both conferences. The AFC seems a bit easier to figure out because the West is so stacked and could very well have three teams in the playoffs. The Chiefs or Broncos are winning that division and the team that doesn’t will take the first wild card spot, that much we know. I’m also in the camp of the Patriots, Colts and Bengals being division winners. But could the Chargers join them? They’re in position to do and control their own destiny but the schedule gets tough in the second half. Remember the Chargers have yet to play the Broncos or the Chiefs so that’s four tough games. Add a road game in Miami and home for the Bengals. That’s trouble for any team but if San Diego beats the teams they should, splits their tough games, then I think they’re in. But if they don’t, the Jets are only a game back and have a much more favorable schedule.

The NFC gets trickier because to begin, no one wants to win the East division. My Cowboys have certainly had their chances to pull away from the crowd but fail to do so. How are the Giants, who started 0-6, still in contention for the division? I’d rather not talk about it. The only for sure division winner? That looks like the Saints. The West is certainly still up for grabs but it’s going to come down to weeks 11-14 where the 49ers and Seahawks not only play each other but they both have a game against the Saints. Those few weeks could decide not only the division but also the top seed in the conference. Up north I think it’s the Packers division to lose but looking at the Lions schedule, they could keep pace with every one of Green Bay’s wins. The key is going to be their match-up week 13 in Detroit. The wildcard is great especially if the Lions stumble because what do you know, the Panthers are right there! You also have the Cutler-less (for a few weeks) Bears only 1 game back and the Cardinals still very much alive as well.

We’re about to hit the best part of the regular season. Get ready folks!