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Andy Richmond runs over the likely contenders for the post-season party...

With three weeks to go of the regular NFL season, now is a good time to take a look at the play-off picture in both conferences, make a few notes on how those may pan out and the teams which could be contesting them.

The AFC has proved the dominant conference over the past few seasons and once again their post regular season contingent will be lead by the still unbeaten Patriots. A lot has been written and said about the Patriots this year but if you stopped the season now - it can't end soon enough for the Dolphins - and looked at their record against the play-off contenders it reads 5-0 and nobody else has done that. Say what you like about the Pats, they are a powerful machine who have beaten all the other current divisional leaders in the AFC and the No 1 seeded team in the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys. so 16-0 is a distinct reality and then the real work will start - [1.8] for the Superbowl may look skinny but would you be prepared to lay higher given those statistics?

The Colts have been blighted by major injuries but look sure to hold onto the second slot in the seedings, but below that we could still have some movement. Pittsburgh, coming off their mauling from the Pats, will not be looking forward to the visit of the Jaguars. This is a pivotal game for both teams with the Steelers looking to virtually seal the division and the No 3 seeding and Jacksonville having the aim of locking down the better of the wild card spots. The Jags are an improving team and one to watch for next year - marshalled by a quarterback who in a memorable season for QBs has been rather forgotten - David Garrard, remember the name, you'll be hearing a lot more about this guy. Both of these teams will make the post-season party but the Steelers may be pushed for the third spot by the Chargers - I reckon it will be a case of as you were in this line-up though.

Realistically there is only one spot left up for grabs in the AFC which is likely to be filled by the Browns and, although their divisional hopes are slim, a reasonably favourable closing trio of games should see them claim the final play-off berth. They can deal a fatal blow to one of their rivals hopes this Sunday when they host the Bills, live on SKY, we'll preview that later in the week. The Browns should just have enough to hold off a resurgent and tough Buffalo for the final spot. If there is to be an upset then it is the Titans who could provide it, they have the most favourable schedule of those just off the pace with two teams playing for next season (Chiefs & Jets) and the Colts up last who could be resting players by that stage.

Moving across to the NFC a similar picture ensues with the majority of the places locked up in divisional terms and the 9-4 Giants failing to make the party as one of the wild cards would be a "gubbing" of [1.01] proportions. The top three seeds from this conference - in order: the Cowboys, Packers and Seahawks - will have very little movement now and all these three will hope to do is to reach the play-offs healthy and with momentum - none of them have exacting final schedules. All three have reasons to be very happy with their form at the moment and all have a QB in top form to marshall their sides. I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to say a lot more about this trio in the weeks to come.

The Giants and the Bucs have both virtually qualified but are going to struggle post-season. The Giants are an enigma and despite their 9-4 record don't have the look of a team which is going places. Despite winning some tough games this year, they are beaten up in several areas and have difficulty killing teams off when they hit the red zone. They seem to make life to difficult for themselves and I'll be a team I'll oppose later on. It's a similar tale for the Bucs who must be praying that they get back Jeff Garcia at QB soon - Luke McCown is not proving a hindrance but he sure isn't helping that much and the dynamism Garcia brings is being sorely missed at the moment. With Garcia back they have a chance, without it's case of bring on next season very quickly.

As with the AFC there is really only one place up for grabs. The Vikings, riding a four game winning streak currently, are the team in possession and they may well hang onto that spot. Their remaining schedule contains teams who are tough on their day but none of them has a winning record at the moment and Minnesota's next two games are on their home turf, ample opportunity to seal that post-season spot.

A whole host of teams lie just behind them but I expect their only realistic challengers to be the Saints and the Cardinals, who play each other this weekend and after that only one of them will remain. The Redskins, Lions, Pathers and Eagles will all be looking at next year during the coming weeks.

So the play-off picture looks to be clearing and the cream has certainly risen to the top very quickly this year. If all goes to plan there could be some great re-matches in the post season not least the Colts vs. Pats and the Packers and Cowboys and don't expect those two to go the same way as last time.

NFC Play-off Six: Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks, Bucs, Giants, Vikings.

AFC Play-off Six: Patriots, Colts, Steelers, Chargers, Jaguars, Browns.

The current NFL standings can be seen here.

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