Here's the skinny: after next week's match-up with the Giants, there could be five NFC teams notted for thelast wildcard spot, at 6-6. The Vikes and the Lions play at the Roller Dome. If the Vikes win they pull even with the Lion at 6-6. The 'Skins play the Bills and will most likely be 6-6. The Eagles play the Seahawks and if they avoid the big let-down following was the Pats game yesterday they could also be 6-6.

Granted, the Bears might have a tough a time with the Giants, mainly because the Bears suck more than the Giants. How many big plays this past Sunday were nullified by inept play? Let's see, I count:

1. Most obvioulsy, Grossman's fumble inside the five;
2. Hester's fumble on the punt return;
3. Illegal contact nulification of 2nd qtr pick;
4. Grossman TD pass nulified for Holding (Miller);
5. Muhammad's drop, which would have been a first-down, late in the 2nd qtr;
6. the missed takles on the 65-yard screen play by Denver before the end of the half;
7. Davis' 3rd and 8 drop in the 3rd qtr;
8. all the missed tackles on the college-style option plays - gimme a break.

Still, if they beat the Giants they go to 6-6. The following two weeks they have a chance to eliminate two teams, the 'Skins and the Vikes. It's conceivable that they could be going into the last two games on the short list. The Eagles still have games against the Cowboys and the Giants; the Lions have the Chiefs, Chargers, Packers and Cowboys; and the 'Skins play the Giants, Vikes and Cowboys.

After the Giants, the Bears have one game against a .500+ team and it's the Packers at Soldier Field. Just Saying (part 1).

Here's a few scenarios that all hinge on the Bears winning the next two games:

1. Lions lose to the Vikes, and then the Cowboys putting them at 6-7. The Vikes beat the Lions and the 49ers and get to 7-6. The Eagles split between the Seahawks and the Giants and end up at 6-7. The 'Skins split against the Bills and Bears and are at, you guessed, it 6-7. Bears win both and are tied with the Vikes at 7-6, with the lead on the line the following week at the Roller Dome.
2. Lions beat the Vikes, and then lose to the Cowboys putting them at 7-6. The Vikes lose against the Lions and beat the 49ers and get to 6-7. The Eagles split between the Seahawks and the Giants and end up at 6-7. The 'Skins split against the Bills and Bears and are at, you guessed, it 6-7. Bears win both and are tied with the Lions, but a game behind due to the head=to-=head record, at 7-6, with the opportunity to eliminate the Vikes the following week at the Roller Dome.

With me so far? Good. After the next three weeks, the Lions would have played the Vikes, Cowboys and Chargers. I put them at 7-7 after that. The Vikes have the next three against the Lions, the 49ers and the Bears. They could be 6-8 after that. If they lose to the Bears their season would be done. The Eagles play the Seahawks, Giants and Cowboys. After that they will most likely be 7-7. The 'Skins have the Giants, Bears and Bills for the next three and only get to 6-8.

If the Bears win the next three, against the Giants, Vikes and 'Skins, the game against the Packers, at Soldier Field, could mean a playoff spot - Just Saying (part 2).