Everybody can use a helping hand now and again, and the Jets are no exception. Nor are the Chiefs and Eagles.
Those teams secured postseason berths Sunday thanks to help from three other teams.
The Jets lost to the Bears 38-34 at Soldier Field — their third defeat in four games — but were handed a wild-card spot when the Redskins beat the Jaguars in overtime.
In Kansas City, the Chiefs clinched their first AFC West title in eight years. They rolled over the Titans 34-14 and wrapped up the division when the Bengals upset the Chargers 34-20 in Cincinnati, slamming the door on a team that had won the West four years in a row.
The Chiefs’ 10 wins matches their combined victory total of the last three seasons. Quarterback Matt Cassel called that “a huge accomplishment,” and now the Chiefs — who are undefeated at home — have earned the right to host a first-round playoff game.
Meanwhile, the slow-starting Chargers finally dug themselves a hole they couldn’t claw their way out of.
“Words can’t really explain how we feel right now,” safety Eric Weddle told reporters. “Our season is done. It’s probably the worst feeling you can have.”
The Eagles got a huge favor from the Packers, who, in beating the Giants, not only kept their playoff hopes alive, but also gift-wrapped the NFC East for Philadelphia.
Headed into the final week, five of the six AFC teams have been determined. The Colts can clinch the South with a win over the Titans or a Jaguars loss at Houston. The Steelers and Ravens are both in, but the North title is still in play. The Steelers will take it if they win at Cleveland or the Ravens lose at home to the Bengals. The Patriots and Chiefs have won their divisions, and the Jets have clinched a wild-card berth.
In the NFC, the Bears and Eagles have won their divisions. The Falcons can clinch the South with a victory over the Saints on Monday night. Otherwise, a Falcons victory or a Saints loss in Week 17 will do the trick. In the West, the Seahawks play host to the Rams on Sunday in a winner-take-all showdown.
Tom terrific: The Patriots’ Tom Brady strengthened his case for his second MVP award by securing another spot in the NFL record book.
Brady extended his streak of passes without an interception to 319, blowing past the record of 308 set by the Browns’ Bernie Kosar in 1990-91.
As is the Patriots’ way, Brady had a matter-of-fact response when asked about the record.
“I guess I’m glad I’m not throwing interceptions,” he said with a shrug.
Bill Belichick would approve. He also has to love this: Brady is one game away from becoming the seventh quarterback to throw for a touchdown in all 16 games.
Big chill: At one point Sunday, it was 32 degrees for the game in Chicago and 38 for the game in Jacksonville — the coldest home game in Jaguars history.
How’s that for six degrees of separation?
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