Quick Thoughts: Airing Out The Week 14 Laundry

The Green Bay Packers once again this week showed the one reason why they won't be a force in the playoffs, penalties. In their game against Baltimore they gave up 11 infringements for a total of 175 yards. It continues a bad run for the team which is the most penalised in the league. Don't get me wrong, Aaron Rodgers has led his team well this year and they have some excellent players on both sides of the ball, but postseason teams won't let you get away with that much free yardage. In the four games the Packers have played against better ranked opponents, they've only won one, against Dallas, the then second worst team for being flagged.

Speaking of Dallas, where do they stand at the moment? Tony Romo had a fine game against the Giants, yet the December weakness began to show. The running game was shutdown, vital turnovers were given up, penalties again were costly and Nick Folk seems to have lost his kicking boots. These aren't promising signs for a team that still has to play San Diego, New Orleans and Philly. When you add in Flozell Adams' sideline brain fade, Wade Phillips needs to get his team under control so that they don't give up their grip on the ever competitive NFC East.

It's a division that once again has delivered, it's not inconceiveable that the New York Giants, floundering after a Thanksgiving day loss in Denver, could top the division come Sunday evening. A win against Philly combined with a loss for Dallas would see Big Blue top on the tie-breaker. Just think what chaos could have happened in that division if it's other team, the hapless Redskins, hadn't given up three straight fourth-quarter leads.

As winter rolls in the postseason hunt is warming up. The Colts, Saints and Vikings are away and gone, but the chills are beginning to go down the spines of more than a few teams.