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SPORTS Thursday 27 december 2018
Barring ties, NFC

playoff picture is clear,

AFC more muddled

In the AFC, seeding is remember the question
more muddled. Any of four was, two years ago, ‘Why
teams could be the top or is the AFC South so bad?’”
second seed. he says. “Now, ‘Why is it so
The simplest route is if Kan- good?’
sas City (11-4) and New “...I’ve never thought it was
England (10-5), currently bad. I think every year it’s
the top two in the confer- been extremely difficult to
ence, both win Sunday. But win games in the division.
if the Chiefs lose at home to I just think there’s a lot of
Oakland and the Chargers great coaches. You’ve
(11-4) win at Denver, Los got Frank (Reich) in Indy,
Angeles moves into the top Mike (Vrabel) in Tennes-
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs into the end zone untouched for a touchdown spot. see, Doug (Marrone) in
during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, Houston (10-5) also could Jacksonville. You’ve got a
in Detroit. wind up No. 1 in the AFC lot of great players, quar-
Associated Press with losses by the Chiefs, terbacks, so you’ve got a
By BARRY WILNER “You either believe in advantage throughout the Patriots against the Jets, tough division.”
AP Pro Football Writer something or you don’t,” conference playoffs. and Chargers. New Eng- The AFC division often
Barring ties in Week 17 — says coach Pete Carroll, The Rams (12-3) get the land, the only unbeaten looked at as the toughest
and there are some wild whose 9-6 Seahawks made other opening-round bye team at home this year, has been the North, which,
scenarios should certain the postseason in what was if they beat San Francisco would get the first seed not surprisingly, has come
games end in draws Sun- considered a rebuilding on Sunday. If they lose and with a victory and losses by down to Baltimore vs. Pitts-
day — the road to the year. “I think just staying the the Bears win at Minnesota, the Chiefs and Chargers. burgh. Except the Ravens
playoffs is quite straight in course and knowing we’re Chicago (11-4) earns the And get this: Houston (9-6) host the Browns, while
the NFC. The path to a first- on to something. Believ- week off and Los Angeles doesn’t even own a divi- the Steelers (8-6-1) must
round bye in the AFC has a ing in the history. We know drops to the third seed. sion title. If the Texans fall at beat visiting Cincinnati and
bunch of curves in it. what we’re capable of do- A Bears win also could home to Jacksonville, the hope their archenemies
Already in are NFC division ing. We’ve shown it over a keep the Vikings (8-6-1) out winner of the Colts at Titans from Cleveland sidetrack
winners Dallas (East), New lot of years. You’re always of the postseason, provid- game in Tennessee takes Baltimore, either beating or
Orleans (South), Chicago adapting, but it’s staying ing defending champion the AFC South, and the Tex- tying the Ravens.
(North) and the Los Ange- what you’re true to. I think Philadelphia (8-7) wins at ans become a wild card, Neither the Ravens nor the
les Rams (West). AFC divi- that’s what is happening. Washington. Only the Vi- joining either the Chiefs or Steelers can be a wild card
sions clinched belong to We look like a team that kings or Eagles can get the Chargers. — except if Pittsburgh ties
New England in the East we have seen before, and second NFC wild card. Texans coach Bill O’Brien, the Bengals, then India-
and, well, nobody else. But that’s powerful.” “We’ve got to empty the whose club began the napolis and Tennessee also
there are clear leaders . Most powerful so far has bucket, and that’s the way season 0-3, is intrigued by tie. Then the Steelers are in.
Seattle owns an NFC wild been New Orleans, with we’ve got to play next the division being so en- Of course, Pittsburgh also
card, and the LA Char- the league’s best record week at home,” Vikings sconced in the playoff pic- can win the North with a
gers have one in the AFC, at 13-2, and a dynamic of- tight end Kyle Rudolph ture this year. draw and a loss by Balti-
though they can still win fense led by Drew Brees. says. “I’m really looking for- “I think that’s an interest- more.
the AFC West. The Saints have home-field ward to that environment.” ing question because I can Your head spinning yet?q

AP source: Broncos rookie Lindsay done for season

By ARNIE STAPLETON scaphoid fracture. low rookie Royce Freeman fuel for a stellar rookie sea-
AP Pro Football Writer Lindsay will miss the Bron- and Devontae Booker on son, finishes his rookie cam-
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — cos’ final game against the Sunday, when they’ll need paign with 1,037 yards and
Broncos running back Phillip Chargers (11-4) on Sunday, seek to avoid posting dou- nine touchdowns.
Lindsay’s sensational rookie and it appears unlikely he’ll ble-digit losses in consecu- The Broncos have lost sev-
season is over after tests be able to play in the Pro tive seasons for the first time en starters to season-end-
showed he sustained major Bowl next month after be- since 1966-67. ing injuries plus wide receiv-
damage to his right wrist in coming the first undrafted Although Lindsay said after er Demaryius Thomas to
Denver’s loss at Oakland, a offensive rookie in NFL his- the game Monday night a trade — he tore his right
person with knowledge of tory to earn a Pro Bowl se- that he planned to play in Achilles tendon on Sunday
the MRI results told The As- lection. the finale, he was unable in Houston’s 32-30 loss to
sociated Press. Lindsay was injured in the to use his right hand while Philadelphia.
The person, speaking on Broncos’ 27-14 loss to the getting dressed and need- Other Denver players out
condition of anonymity be- Raiders on Monday night, ed assistance buttoning his for the year are: linemen
Denver Broncos running back cause the team was off on a third consecutive defeat shirt and putting on a neck- Matt Paradis, Ronald Leary
Phillip Lindsay runs against Christmas Day, confirmed a that ensured the team of tie. and Max Garcia, wide re-
the Oakland Raiders during
the first half of an NFL football report by 9News in Denver back-to-back losing sea- Lindsay, the former Univer- ceiver Emmanuel Sanders,
game in Oakland, Calif., that medical tests Tuesday sons for the first time since sity of Colorado star who tight ends Jake Butt and
Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. morning revealed ligament 1971-72. used his snubs from the NFL Jeff Heuerman and corner-
Associated Press damage and a possible He’ll be replaced by fel- combine and 2018 draft as back Chris Harris Jr. q