AFC NOTES

FINAL QUARTER STARTS WITH PLAYOFFS IN SIGHT

Four weeks remain in the NFL regular season and wins are increasingly tough to come by, with every game of vital importance in the race to the playoffs.

“We’ve got the last quarter of the season coming up,” says Denver head coach JOHN FOX, whose club clinched the AFC West title last week with a 31-23 win over Tampa Bay. “We always say, ‘people remember what you do in December,’ so that’s what we have ahead of us. I think everybody’s going to be fighting for home-field advantage, for a first round bye. All those things are things people are competing for at this point.”

Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK understands what’s required down the stretch.  Since 2007, New England has posted a 19-1 (.950) record in the final four games of a season, the highest winning percentage in the NFL. Belichick and the Patriots will host the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football (ESPN, 8:30 PM ET) in Week 14.

“We all know that the fewer games there are, the more important they become,” says Belichick. “With each game, we play one less and each one becomes bigger. There aren’t many left.”

The best records in the final four games of a season since 2007:

Houston wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON certainly has a sense of urgency as the final quarter of the season approaches. The Texans (11-1), who have the best record in the AFC, aim to clinch the AFC South title and secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC postseason.

“We’re learning as we go through this experience, but we know every game gets bigger and we have a chance to fight to be at the top of the AFC,” says Johnson. “We know how big that could be for us if we’re able to get that accomplished. Every game gets bigger and is going to continue to get bigger.”

The Indianapolis Colts (8-4), who have won six of their past seven games, are in a position to make a postseason run. The Colts, who are 5-1 at home this season, host Tennessee in Week 14 (CBS, 1:00 PM ET). Indianapolis has been led by rookie ANDREW LUCK, who has the most wins by a rookie quarterback drafted number one overall in the Super Bowl era.

“This is a team that won two games last season,” says NBC Sports analyst and former Indianapolis head coach TONY DUNGY. “They are going to be in the playoffs this year because of Andrew Luck. They believe in this guy. This is what they did not have last year, faith that they could win these games.”

The best division records in December since 2002:

NFC NOTES

NFL ENTERS FINAL MONTH AS TEAMS MAKE PUSH FOR PLAYOFFS

The NFL season enters the home stretch with 29 teams still in contention for a trip to Super Bowl XLVII. The final quarter of the season kicks off this weekend with playoff berths on the line. 

“There are a lot of games still to be played,” says head coach MIKE SMITH of the 11-1 Atlanta Falcons, who clinched the NFC South in Week 13. “We’re just starting the fourth quarter of the season and there are going to be a lot of things happening over these next four weeks. It will be fun for the teams involved. It ought to be fun for the fans. And it’s going to be fun for the coaches. It can’t get any better than football in December.”

Over the past five seasons (since 2007), the New England Patriots own the best record in the month, which also includes regular-season games played in January. 

“This is December football now and it’s the most important football we’re going to play all season,” says Green Bay Packers head coach MIKE MC CARTHY. 

“The games in December are the most important regular-season games by far,” says NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI. “It’s extremely important to win in December and to make a run at the playoffs and show improvement. You want your team to peak in December. It’s important to stay healthy and keep your players fresh. You remember what happens in December.”

Some of the top active performers in December/January since 2007: 

“When you get into games in December, these are all important and every one is a big game,” says New York Giants quarterback ELI MANNING. “Hopefully, you are playing good football at this point and you’ve found a way to win games.”