Behrend collegian. (Erie, Pa.) 1971-1988, December 08, 1988, Image 12

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    Page 12
NFL Playoffs
at a Glance
by Rick Cain
Collegian Sports Editor
With only two weeks left in the season, there are still a number of
playoff spots yet to be decided. Here is a run down of the teams that
still have a chance to battle in the coveted Superbowl in January.
American Football Conference
The Eastern division belongs to Buffalo. At 11-3, the Bills only
worry is whether they will have home field advantage throughout AFC
the playoffs.
The Central division's best bet is Cincinatti. The Bengals are also
11-3, and one of their wins was against Buffalo. This insures home
field advantage for the Bengals if they end up tied with the Bills.
The Western division is a mess. Seattle, Denver and Los Angeles are
all 7-7. The Seahawks presently have the head to head advantage and
would take the tide if the season ended today. However, the Broncos and
the Seahawks meet in Seattle Sunday, Dec. 10, and the Raiders host the
Hawks on the 18th. These two games should be the deciding factor in
the division.
The Wild Card spots are down to four teams. Houston and Cleveland
are both 9-5 and could put three Central division teams into the'
playoffs. Their nearest threats are New England and Indianapolis (both 8-
6). The Patriots possess a better divisional record than the Browns and
could steal the final AFC playoff spot if there is a tie.
National Football Conference
The Eastern division currently belongs to New York at 9-5.
However, Philadelphia (8-6), Phoenix (7-7) and Washington (7-7) still
have a shot at overtaking the Giants. A telling game will be played
Saturday, Dec. 10, in Tempe between the Cardinals and Eagles.. The tie
breaking scheme is too confusing to discuss at this time.
The Central division is a toss up between ever present Chicago (11-
3) and Minnesota (10-4). The Bears and Vikings are probably the best
two teams in the league and, barring any incredible upsets on Dec. 11
(the Bears play at home against the Lions and the Vikes travel to Green
Bay), the division title will come down to their final game. The Bears
and Vikings should be 12-3 and 11-4 going in to their head to head
season finale. Since Minnesota won the first match-up, and would
therefore take the title if there is a tie, the championship will be decided
in what could probably be the best game of the season.
The Western division is a toss-up between San Francisco and New
Orleans. Both at 9-5, the 49'ers have the present edge having won the
first head to head match-up between the two. However, the two meet
again Sunday and the winner should take the title. The Long shot of the
division are the Rams. After going winless through November, L.A.
upset the Bears on Dec. 5, and are presently 8-6. The Rams need a
combination of losses by both the 49'ers and Saints to survive.
The Wild Card spots will most likely consist of the Vikings and the
second place finisher in the west. This final spot, not unlike the
Western division title, is in the hands of the 49'ers, Saints and
Rams. The outside chance is whoever claims the number two spot in the
East.
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College Bowl Games
December 10
California Bowl at Fresno, CA - Fresno St. & Western Michigan
December 23
Independence Bowl at Shreveport, LA - Texas-El Paso & Southern Mississippi
December 24
Sun Bowl at El Paso, TX - Alabama & Army
December 25
Aloha Bowl at Honolulu, HA - Houston & Washington St.
December 28
Liberty Bowl at Memphis, TN - Indiana & South Carolina
December 29
All-American Bowl at Birmingham, AL - Florida & Illinois
Freedom Bowl at Anaheim, CA - Colorado & Brigham Young
December 30
Holiday Bowl at San Diego, CA - Oklahoma St. & Wyoming
December 31
Peach Bowl at Atlanta, GA - lowa & North Carolina St,
January 1
Gator Bowl at Jacksonville, FL - Georgia & Michigan St.
January 2
Hall of Fame Bowl at Tampa, FL - Syracuse & Louisiana St.
Florida Citrus Bowl at Orlando, FL - Clemson & Oklahoma
Cotton Bowl at Dallas, TX - UCLA & Arkansas
Fiesta Bowl at Tempe, AZ - Notre Dame & West Virginia
Rose Bowl at Pasadena, CA - USC & Michigan
Orange Bowl at Miami, FL - Miami & Nebraska
Sugar Bowl at New Orleans, LA - Florida State & Auburn
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December 8,1988
Weekend
Couch
Potato
by Paul Polasik
Collegian Staff Writer
What is it about football that
makes a normal, active person
during the week become a couch
potato on the weekend?
The average person either works
or goes to school during the week
so you figure that come the
weekend they would want to do
something besides just sit around
and watch TV. But, millions of
people every fall waste weekend
after weekend watching grown men
play a little boys game.
What is the fascination? Is it the
violent hits? Is it the last second
victories? Or is it that we're just a
lazy bunch of people who have
nothing better to do with our time?
The truth is that football is big
business. It’s right up there with
the movie industry when it comes
to making money. People pay over
S2O a seat to freeze or get rained on
just to see it. The Super Bowl has
almost turned into a national
holiday. People throw parties and
go nuts just for the game. Scalpers
got $l,OOO a ticket last year for
seats where you need binoculars to
see the action on the field. It's
crazy, but a winning football team
can make a whole town go bonkers
over it.
In my opinion, football is like a
movie, you buy your ticket (or turn
on the TV) and just escape for a
little while.
Puzzle Answers