The New York Jets (8-7) pulled off something no other NFL team has been able to do in the 2009 NFL football season - they beat the Indianapolis Colts (14-1). The win gives the Jets control of their own destiny and can earn a wild-card berth with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

Before the day began, the Jets AFC playoff picture looked dim. The best case scenario was the Dolphins, Ravens and Jaguars each lose in in the early games and then take care of business in the late afternoon by beating the Colts. By evening, the best Jets playoff picture scenario happened. Maybe it was a late Christmas present from the football gods.

Others may think differently. They might attribute the Jets win to the fact that the Colts coaching staff sat QB Peyton Manning and most of the Indianapolis starters for most of the second half. Regardless, after the first quarter, the Jets stayed right with the Colts in the first half, then dominated the second.

The Jets actually got points from the offense, defense and special teams:

Jets Scoring

• Offense Thomas Jones RB 1 yard run in 3rd quarter
• Defense Marques Douglas DE 1 yard fumble return in 3rd quarter
• Special Teams Brad Smith WR 106 yard kickoff return
• Special Teams Jay Feeley (PK) 2 for 2 in field goal attempts

If you think the Jets don’t belong in the AFC playoff race consider this fact:
The Jets are the first team since the merger of the AFC and NFC (1970) to have the #1 defense and #1 rushing offense in the same season. Their win today reflects this stat . The Jets rushed for 202 yards and the Colts, 64.

Week 16 of the NFL season will clear up the AFC playoff picture.  If the Jets win, their appearance in the AFC playoffs is assured.

source: nfl.com

Going into week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, the NFC playoff picture is pretty clear. Four teams have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs; they are the Saints (13-1), Vikings (11-3), Cardinals (9-5) and Eagles (10-4). Three other teams are in the hunt for the final two NFC playoff spots, they include the Cowboys (9-5), Packers (9-5) and the Giants (8-6).

Here is the NFC playoff picture going into week 15 of the NFL season:

New Orleans Saints (13-1)

• Clinched the the NFC South and a first-round bye
• Clinches homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
  A win or tie OR
  Minnesota loss or tie

Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

• Clinched NFC North
• Clinches first-round bye with:
  A win and Philadelphia loss or tie OR
  A tie and Philadelphia loss

Arizona (9-5)

• Clinched NFC West

Philadelphia (10-4)

• Clinched a playoff spot
• Clinches NFC East with:
  A win and Dallas loss or tie OR
  A tie and Dallas loss

Green Bay Packers (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  A win and Giants loss or tie OR
  A win and Dallas loss OR
  A tie and Giants loss

Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  win and Giants loss or tie OR
  tie and Giants loss

The New York Giants are still in the NFC playoff picture but it will take a loss by both the Packers AND Cowboys over the next three weeks in order for them to have a chance.

sources: NY Daily News, nfl.com, espn.com