What NFC teams have the most first downs in 2011?  An intelligent answer would be one of the NFC Division contenders, like the Green Bay Packers (7-0), San Francisco 49ers (6-1), Detroit Lions (6-2) or New York Giants (5-2). But in fact, none of them are in the top 3 NFC teams with the most first downs heading into Week 9 of the NFL season.

The top 3 NFC teams with the most first downs are the New Orleans Saints (5-3), Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) and the Carolina Panthers (2-6). The Saints have accumulated 202 first downs so far in 2011, 51 rushing and 140 passing.  The Eagles are next with 170 first downs, 74 on the ground and 92 in the air.  Surprising, the Carolina Panthers have the third most first downs in the NFC with a total of 177, 65 rushing and 99 passing.

The Saints also hold the distinction of leading the NFC in 3rd down efficiency, successfully converting a 1st down 56.3% of the time.

More on First Downs Don’t Equal Success In The NFC

There are two things we can be assured of: it’s the beginning of a new decade and the final week of the NFL regular season.

What we can’ be assured of is what teams will make the AFC playoffs; and the AFC playoff scenarios have seemingly endless possibilities.

What we do know is that four teams have clinched an AFC playoff spot: the Colts, Patriots, Bengals and Chargers. Six other teams are vying for the final two AFC playoff spots: the Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Jaguars and Dolphins.

Here are the AFC playoff scenarios for week 16 of the NFL football season:

Indianapolis Colts (14-0)
Clinched the AFC South and homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs

San Diego Chargers
Clinched the AFC South and first round bye

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)
Clinched the AFC North

New England Patriots (10-5)
Clinched the AFC East

New York Jets (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with a win

Baltimore Ravens (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with a win

Denver Broncos (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and New York loss or tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Houston win OR
win and Baltimore loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie OR
win and Baltimore loss or tie and Houston win OR
Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss OR
Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Jacksonville loss and New York loss OR
Pittsburgh loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss and New York loss OR
New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss or tie

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and Houston loss or tie and New York loss or tie Or
win and Houston lossor tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Baltimore loss or tie and Denver loss or tie

Houston Texans (8-7)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and New York loss or tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
win and New York loss or tie and Denver loss or tie OR
win and Baltimore loss or tie and Denver loss or tie

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston loss OR
win and Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and New York loss OR
win and Pittsburgh loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and New York loss OR
win and Pittsburgh loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and New York loss OR
win and New York loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and Baltimore loss

Miami Dolphins
Clinch a playoff spot with:
win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Jacskonville loss or tie

Additional Note: To make things even more complicated: New York, Baltimore,Denver, Pittsburgh and Houston can also make the playoffs if they tie in combination with various other results. But Jacksonville and Miami cannot make the playoff with a tie.

It will be interesting watching the NFL analysts go through these scenarios over and over as the day goes bye. But one thing we can be assured of, the AFC playoff scenarios will be cast in stone by 9:00 pm ET tomorrow night.

sources: nfl.com, espn.com foxsports, New York Daily News

As reported in USA Today, Jacksonville’s Matt Jones just had one of the best games of his career during what has easily been the best season of his career. So, why is he available in over half of SN leagues?

It probably has a lot to do with that pesky three-game suspension he’s facing for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Jones was arrested for cocaine possession back in July. He pled guilty and entered a drug treatment facility, but the league still handed down a three-game ban. Jones was only able to play last week because he was appealing the ruling, but that appeal is expected to be denied this week.Likely best case scenario is it gets reduced to two games.

It comes at a terrible time for Jones’ owners. He caught eight passes (tying a career high) for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Browns last week, and Jacksonville faces Cincinnati and Detroit the next two weeks. When you factor in that Jones is tied for (64), easily first on the Jags, you would have had a borderline WR2.

As it stands, owners should expect Jones to be suspended this week, but keep checking back for updates just in case the NFL drags out the appeal for another week. If Jones is eligible to play, you’ll want him in your lineups.

It’s tough to hold on to Jones during his suspension, but he’ll get the Vikings (home), Texans (road), Bears (road), Packers (home) and Colts (home) in Weeks 12-16. Those aren’t the bset matchups, especially in the fantasy playoffs, but they’re good enough to make  Jones a WR3 most of those weeks. If he’s dropped, don’t forget about him in a couple weeks.

NFL players know the risks and have to pay the piper if they are caught!