NFL Playoff Implications In Week Two?

The NFL season is 17 weeks long, with each team playing 16 games. Many people believe that it is not the way you start, but the way you finish.

As much as that may have been true in the past, in todays NFL, those days are long gone.

In week one, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans in over time for the NFL's kick off game. If both the Steelers and Titans win their divisions, with the same record, Pittsburgh will be the higher seed, based on the OT win.

In addition, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears, and if the Minnesota Vikings win the division, then Chicago may be left out of the playoffs because of that loss.

So, as week two is set to begin, here are the important playoff implications to keep an eye on.

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

Baltimore is hoping to unseat the Pittsburgh Steelers as the AFC North Champs. If they are successful, then this game with San Diego could go a long way to determining playoff seeding.

If San Diego wins the AFC West, then this game could determine who is the higher seed.

If San Diego some how does not win the West, and Baltimore can not over take the Steelers, then their playoff lives could hinge on the outcome of this game.

New England Patriots at New York Jets

The trash talk between the Jets and Patriots are at an all time high, but this game could go towards who will win the AFC East. If the Jets can manage to down the Pats, then not only will the confidence of Tom Brady take a shot, but the team morale of the Jets will be at an all time high.

A high they may ride all the way to a home field game in the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are in one of the toughest divisions in football, the NFC East, and it would not be a shock if they don't win the division. If the Saints don't win the NFC South, it is possible that these two teams will be competing for the same playoff spot.

With the Eagles having to play without Donovan McNabb, then they will have a hard time beating the Saints. A loss in week two could make the road to the Super Bowl that much harder on the Eagles.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

As if playing Dallas was not enough of a tall task for the Giants, they are going to have to open the new home of the Cowboys, one that cost Jerry Jones over $1 billion dollars to build.

If the Eagles manage to beat the Saints, and come back in week three with both a healthy Donovan McNabb and a rejuvenated Mike Vick, the Eagles could be the team to beat in the NFC.

If the Eagles win the division, then the loser of this game will not only be in third place in the division, but also a game back in the wild card race.

The days of the NFL early season not being very important are over. Starting with week one, all games really count. There is not time to play for tomorrow, because it may be too late.

Want to know who I think will win and lose these games?  Check it out here.