Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 17 in the AFC (from NFL.com):

Clinched: New England Patriots (East); Denver Broncos (West); Houston Texans (South); Baltimore Ravens (North); Indianapolis Colts (playoff berth); Cincinnati Bengals (playoff berth)

HOUSTON TEXANS (at Colts)
Houston clinches a first-round bye:
1) HOU win or tie
2) NE loss or tie
3) DEN loss

Houston clinches home-field advantage:
1) HOU win
2) HOU tie + DEN loss or tie
3) NE loss or tie + DEN loss

DENVER BRONCOS (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
Denver clinches a first-round bye:
1) DEN win or tie
2) NE loss or tie

Denver clinches home-field advantage:
1) DEN win + HOU loss or tie
2) DEN tie + HOU loss

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (vs. Miami Dolphins)
New England clinches a first-round bye:
1) NE win + DEN loss
2) NE win + HOU loss

New England clinches home-field advantage:
1) NE win + DEN loss + HOU loss

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Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 16 in the AFC (from NFL.com):

Clinched: New England (East); Denver (West); Houston (South); Baltimore (playoff berth)

HOUSTON TEXANS (vs. Minnesota)
Houston clinches a first-round bye with:
1) HOU win or tie OR
2) NE loss or tie OR
3) DEN loss

Houston clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
1) HOU win OR
2) HOU tie + DEN loss or tie OR
3) NE loss or tie + DEN loss

DENVER BRONCOS (vs. Cleveland)
Denver clinches a first-round bye with:
1) DEN win + NE loss or tie OR
2) DEN tie + NE loss

BALTIMORE RAVENS (vs. NY Giants)
Baltimore clinches AFC North division with:
1) BAL win OR
2) BAL tie + CIN loss or tie

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (at Kansas City)
Indianapolis clinches a playoff spot with:
1) IND win or tie OR
2) IND clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over CIN OR
3) PIT loss or tie

CINCINNATI BENGALS (at Pittsburgh)
Cincinnati clinches a playoff spot with:
1) CIN win

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One of the biggest questions entering the 2012 fantasy football season is where will Peyton Manning fall in the ranks of quarterbacks?

After missing the entire 2011 season due to complications from multiple neck surgeries, Manning was released from the Colts prior to being owed a $28 million roster bonus.

He drew the interest of many teams this offseason, before deciding on the Broncos.

Denver was a playoff team a year ago with Tim Tebow under center and certainly has some key components in place on offense.

They return their entire offensive line from a year ago and the unit will provide great protection. The team added a familiar face, former Colts’ tight end Jacob Tamme, to go along with young and talented wideouts in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker.  The team lacks a true marquee runner, but has plenty of options to look at coming out of the backfield.

With his age (36) and recent injury history, fantasy owners should have some room for concern about him returning to full strength, but despite having plenty of eyeballs on him during his brief free agent period most NFL scouts pushed their injury concern behind. I am certainly not dispelling the possibility of a setback, but I am not going to assume it either.

The greater concerns should be the transition to playing in the elements, particularly late in the season, in the Mile High City and the Broncos’ grueling 2012 schedule.

Going from the friendly confines of the RCA Dome and most recently Lucas Oil Field where you play on turf and indoors is a far cry from what Manning could face in his new home at Invesco Field. Three of Denver’s last five games this season are at home, including in both Week 16 and Week 17, with another game on the road in Baltimore and Oakland during December.

The Broncos also have the second-toughest schedule in the NFL with non-divisional matchups set versus Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans, New England, Cincinnati and Houston. All of those teams made the playoffs last season.

2012 PROJECTIONS
4,485 PaYd, 33 PaTD, 12 INTs

FINAL TAKE
Even with all the clouds over him, Manning is deserving of being viewed as a top fantasy QB entering 2012 (currently have him 9th).  The upside is certainly there should he fall down in drafts. However, with his huge name recognition and all the media hype likely to follow him during training camp chances are he’ll be drafted a few rounds too early for my taste. 

There’s no doubt that top options like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady will go way before Manning does and rightfully so.  Manning is part of the next tier, but on the back end of it. I would easily take Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, Michael Vick, and even Eli Manning over Peyton and consider all safer and more reliable options.  Somewhere between Rounds 6-8 is the point where I definitely start considering the veteran. If you do draft him though be sure to land a solid backup just in case.

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The schedule for the 2012 NFL season was released by the league on Tuesday and there are several marquee matchups on the slate, including a Wednesday night opening matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Giants hosting their arch rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys as always are part of the Thanksgiving Day slate and this year the NFL has a stellar Turkey Day trifecta on the slate with Detroit hosting Houston, Dallas welcoming NFC East foes, the Redskins, and a nightcap between AFC East Rivals as the Pats and Jets square off.

Other schedule highlights have Peyton Manning and his new team, the Denver Broncos, will kick off the Sunday night football schedule, as they tangle with the Steelers, who hope to avenge their playoff loss from last season.

The Bengals will get three games in prime time, including the Monday Night opener at Baltimore to go along with a Thursday Night game at Philadelphia and a Sunday Night home matchup with the Steelers.

Here’s a look at the complete Cincinnati schedule:

BENGALS SCEHDULE (day, date, opponent, time)
Mon., Sept. 10, at Baltimore (ESPN), 7 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 16, CLEVELAND, 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 23, at Washington, 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 30, at Jacksonville, 4:05 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 7, MIAMI, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 14, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 21, PITTSBURGH (NBC), 8:20 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 28, — BYE —
Sun., Nov. 4, DENVER, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 11, N.Y. GIANTS, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 18, at Kansas City*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 25, OAKLAND*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 2, at San Diego*, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 9, DALLAS*, 1 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 13, at Philadelphia (NFL Network), 8:20 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 23, at Pittsburgh*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 30, BALTIMORE*, 1 p.m.

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The Broncos announced the signing of free agent quarterback Peyton Manning in a press conference at the team’s headquarters in Denver on Wednesday.

The five-year deal will pay Peyton Manning a total of $96 million, including $18 million guaranteed for 2012. If he passes a physical following the season another $40 million guaranteed will be kicked in for 2013 and 2014.

The veteran had spent his entire 14-year career in Indianapolis before being cut by the Colts earlier this month just before he was supposed to receive a $28 million signing bonus.  He missed the entire 2011 season due to neck injury that required three surgeries, but has now been cleared to play and is reportedly making great progress and throwing the ball well.

His arrival to the Mile High City makes the Broncos the clear cut favorite in the AFC West and greatly increases their chances of making a deep playoff run as soon as this season.

Manning’s decision to sign in Denver has created several ripple effects and some interesting subplots:

TEBOW ON THE BLOCK – With Manning in the fold John Elway will finally be able to rid himself of the Tebow situation he inherited. The Broncos have already begun fielding calls from teams about acquiring the popular player. If he is unable to be traded the fan favorite could simply be cut.

49ERS READY TO KISS AND MAKEUP – After losing out on Manning, 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh need to smooth things over with Alex Smith, who was instrumental in the team’s run to last year’s NFC Championship game.

TITANS LOOK TO REGROUP – Tennessee was hoping to lure Manning back to the Volunteer State where he played college ball.  With Manning going to Denver the Titans need to move on with their off-season objectives.

DENVER COULD BE COME INDY WEST – Several reports that with Manning now in uniform that Denver is talking to several of his former Colts’ teammates, who remain free agents.

MIAMI TURNS TO ANOTHER INJURED QB – Eliminated from the Manning sweepstakes early and missing out on other free agents Matt Flynn and Alex Smith the Dolphins signed David Garrard, who was cut by the Jaguars last year.

CARDS GIVE KOLB BONUS – Arizona couldn’t land Manning, leaving them to keep Kevin Kolb under center and give him his roster bonus. Kolb struggled during his debut season in Arizona after siging a big contract last year in free agency.

FANTASY IMPACT – With questions revolving around his ability to throw the ball needing to be answered, a new system with new receivers, a brutal schedule and the outdoor elements of Denver it’s hard to see Manning as a top 5 quarterback, but he still makes for a solid QB1. Chances are he’ll be drafted higher than his value should deem.

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JUDGE FORCES MEDIATION (ESPN.com)
Judge Susan Nelson has ordered mediation between the NFL players and owners to begin in Minneapolis on Thursday. Nelson is still considering lifting the lockout after the players dissolved their union which clear the way for a long, drawn out court battle. The good news is that the two sides are talking again for the first time since March 11. The bad news is no end remains in sight and with the draft approaching quickly many teams and pending free agents remain in a quagmire…MORE

NEWTON IN QUEEN CITY (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was in Cincinnati on Monday to visit with the Bengals, who have made it clear that they covet the Heisman Trophy winner. He is set to visit Cleveland on Wednesday and Denver this weekend as well as a stop in Washington D.C. on April 18 with the NFL draft just two weeks away. With Carolina (No. 1 overall pick) and Buffalo (No. 3) reportedly highly interested in Newton it remains to be seen if he will be available to the Bengals with the fourth overall selection…MORE

JETS NOT INTERESTED IN MOSS (FOXSports.com)
A reliable league source tells FOXSports.com that the Jets have "no interest" in bringing in the talented but troubled wideout. Multiple reports this week indicated the Jets had serious interest. Sources tell FOXSports.com that coach Rex Ryan talked in glowing terms about Moss as a way to motivate Jets free agent Santonio Holmes. Moss was terrible last season while playing on three different team and it remains to be seen what he still has to offer…MORE

BRONCOS WANT TO MOVE DOWN (ProFootballTalk.com)
Many are suggesting that it makes sense for the Denver Broncos to trade down from the No. 2 overall spot in the draft, but much of it will depend on what Carolina does with the top pick.  Miles Klis of the Denver Post wrote that the team would like to move back, but in stay in the top eight while acquiring an extra pick. There are always teams that want to move down, but few clubs that want to move up. With the uncertainty surrounding the league entering this draft it is going to be hard to pull off…MORE

PRESEASON SCHEDULE RELEASED (NFL.com)
Assuming the season actually begins the Rams and Bears will face-off in the annual Hall of Game. The NFL released the complete preseason matchups on Tuesday in the midst of a lockout, taking even more luster out of what had little luster to begin with, the preseason. Exact dates and times for games not shown on national TV will be announced later…MORE

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****

Easily one of my personal favorites, the Browns missing out on an apparent Super Bowl:

1986 AFC Championship Game
Where: Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Final Score: Denver Broncos 23, Cleveland Browns 20 (OT)

The legend of Elway and the growing legend of Browns playoff heartbreaks intersected in the 1986 AFC title game.

Tied at 13 with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Bernie Kosar hit Brian Brennan for a 48-yard touchdown that thrilled the Dawg Pound. 

The Broncos' returners botched the ensuing kickoff, setting up the offense at their own 2-yard line.

You know the rest. Elway drove the Broncos 98 yards in 15 plays to tie the game.

In overtime, the Broncos forced a three-and-out, then Elway put Rich Karlis in position for a game-winning field goal and a trip to Pasadena for Super Bowl XXI.

COMPLETE SLIDESHOW (BleacherReport.com)

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The complete official first round of the upcoming NFL won't be determined until after the playoffs are complete, but here's a look at what the top half of the order looks like:

1. Carolina (2-14)
2. Denver (4-12)
3. Buffalo (4-12)
4. Cincinnati (4-12)
5. Arizona (5-11)
6. Cleveland (5-11)
7. San Francisco (6-10)
8. Tennessee (6-10)
9. Dallas (6-10)
10. Washington (6-10)
11. Houston (6-10)
12. Minnesota (6-10)
13. Detroit (6-10)
14. St. Louis (7-9)
15. Miami (7-9)
16. Jacksonville (8-8)

COMPLETE DRAFT ORDER (WalterFootball.com)

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