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Houston Texans
Are the Giants on a playoff run?
The Giants had the league's No. 32 rushing offense this season but piled up 172 yards last week.
Vote: Five questions for Giants at Packers
Do you trust Eli Manning?
Eli Manning threw 16 interceptions in the regular season and has had a pick-prone career. The Packers rely on turnovers to cover the league's worst pass defense.
Who has better targets?
It's tough to know who is Manning's No. 1 target, but is the combination of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks better than Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson?
Will not-so-frozen tundra matter?
The field itself won't be frozen in Green Bay, but will cold temperatures hurt one offense more than the other?
Ray Rice or Arian Foster?
Ray Rice edged Arian Foster in rushing yards, 1,364-1,224, but Foster led in yards per game.
Vote: Five questions for Texans at Ravens
Is T.J. Yates the QB for the job?
A week ago, 49 percent of SN thought Jake Delhomme gave the Texans the best chance to win. Did T.J. Yates convert skeptics?
Does what happened in October matter?
That's Matt Schaub getting hit in a Week 6 loss against the Ravens. Schaub won't be out there this week, but does that result still matter?
Last home game for two legends?
It won't be if the Ravens and Broncos both win, but that scenario aside, will Ray Lewis or Ed Reed return next season?
Last team standing?
SportsNation is picking the Patriots (65%), Ravens (75%), Packers (67%) and Saints (66%) to advance to the conference finals.
How would you rank the remaining NFL playoff teams?
The Broncos showed their resiliency with a hard-fought, overtime win against the Steelers behind Tim Tebow's season-high 316 passing yards. Meanwhile, the Texans won their first playoff game in franchise history riding on the shoulders of wide receiver Andre Johnson and rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.
Over in the NFC, the Saints put up 45 points on the Lions as Drew Brees threw for 466 yards, placing him second only to Bernie Kosar for most passing yards in a playoff game. The Giants dominated the Falcons through the air and on the ground while Big Blue's defense held Atlanta's offense scoreless.
With the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds back in action, which team do you think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl?
Cast your vote now! You must submit at least FIVE for your votes to count!
NFL divisional playoff teams
49ers
49ers
Regular season: 13-3
Broncos
Broncos
Regular season: 8-8
Wild-card: defeated Pittsburgh 29-23 OT
Giants
Giants
Regular season: 9-7
Wild-card: defeated Altlanta 24-2
Packers
Packers
Regular season: 15-1
Patriots
Patriots
Regular season: 13-3
Ravens
Ravens
Regular season: 12-4
Saints
Saints
Regular season: 13-3
Wild-card: defeated Detroit 45-28
Texans
Texans
Regular season: 9-6
Wild-card: defeated Bengals 31-10
Fans of the Houston Texans waited a long time to see their team make the playoffs. Now they find themselves hoping they get to wait an extra week to see the team take the field in a postseason game. Even without Mario Williams and Matt Schaub, the Texans hold the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC by virtue of tiebreakers on the other 10-3 teams. Would home-field advantage make this team championship material? Rank 'Em: Power Rankings
- "I think most Texans fans are hoping for the best in the playoffs but (deep down) not expecting a SB win. Anything can happen, but it will be tough with our team at less than full strength. Who knows? We could be this years Team of Destiny, a la the Packers last year." -- SN commenter ThirdCoastTexan
- "As an original Texans season ticket holder, I feel that the curse is now over. This franchise has dealt with numerous freak injuries this year, but it will not quit." -- SN commenter Smackrunner
Do Texans have easy road to 13-3?
Tiebreaker permutations mean the Texans aren't guaranteed the No. 1 seed if they win out, but do you see a game that could trip them up?
There's no place like Houston?
Only the Ravens (7-0) are unbeaten at home among the four AFC teams with 10 wins, while the Texans (5-1) and Patriots (5-1) have the most home games remaining.
What if the Steelers came to Houston?
If the playoffs started today, the Texans would likely get the winner between the Steelers and Broncos. Assuming the Steelers somehow solved Tim Tebow and advanced, who would win?
Could Matt Schaub be Wally Pipp?
Rookie T.J. Yates (above) came up clutch in a win at Cincinnati. Could more of the same push a healthy Matt Schaub out of the picture?
The Houston Texans suffered two huge losses on Sunday. After nearly coming back against the inspired Oakland Raiders, only to lose on an interception in the end zone in the final seconds, they received the news that star LB Mario Williams will be out indefinitely with a torn pectoral muscle. The Texans have been hampered by injuries to their star players this year. WR Andre Johnson will likely miss Sunday's game against the Ravens, and RB Arian Foster is suffering through hamstring problems. But is Williams' exit the death knell for Houston's shaky playoff chances?
Has Williams lived up to his pick?
The Texans faced a lot of criticism after selecting Williams over Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL draft. Five years later, Williams is the cornerstone of the Texans' defense, while Bush isn't even a primary back anymore.
Which player is the most fearsome?
Though offenses have been performing at record levels so far, it's still possible for big-time defensive players to make an impact. Ndamukong Suh has been showing people how it's done so far, but is he more dominant than Williams?
Johnson, Schaub or Williams?
Williams is part of a starring trio that has carried the Texans to a 3-2 (and nearly 4-1) record in their first five games. QB Matt Schaub will be around next week, but both Williams and Andre Johnson will probably be out.
The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
Best game?
There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.
Colts without Manning?
Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.
AFC East
The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?
AFC North
The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
AFC South
Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?
AFC West
There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?
NFC East
The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?
NFC South
The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
The player most consider the biggest prize in free agency remains unattached, but the Texans no longer appear among those on pins and needles. Rumored to be one of the top suitors for Nnamdi Asomugha, the Texans instead signed former Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph and former Bears safety Daniel Manning to help their beleaguered secondary.
More moves: Donovan McNabb | Albert Haynesworth | Kevin Kolb | Santonio Holmes | Matt Hasselbeck | Sidney Rice | Reggie Bush
- "I'll take Daniel Manning and Johnathan Joseph over Nnamdi. I think this was close to best-case scenario for the Texans." -- SN commenter bobbydagreat
- "Nnamdi was gonna cost too much and we need a safety too. Joseph is probably a top 8 corner in the league maybe top 5. He is definitely worth it." -- SN commenter 64bankside
Is Joseph a consolation prize?
The Bengals will reportedly pay Joseph $48.75 million over five years, with $23.5 million guaranteed. Are they getting a poor man's Asomugha for the money?
Is the defense fixed?
Let's make a list of the teams that gave up more yards than the Texans last season. You've got the Broncos, the Redskins ... and we're done.
What's the reality for Bengals?
There's little doubt Chad Ochocinco is the more recognizable name departing the Bengals, but is the real loss the guy on the other side of the ball?
Who should Colts worry about?
The Colts looked vulnerable last season at 10-6 but still won the AFC South. Meanwhile, the Titans and Texans finished tied for last at 6-10.
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
The AFC South came down to the wire, a fitting fate in a division in which all four teams had legitimate shots at the postseason. The typical power structure prevailed, however, as the Indianapolis Colts ended up at the top of the heap. What grade would you give each team in the AFC South? Cast your vote now!
AFC Grades: East | North | West | NFC Grades: East | North | South | West
Tennessee Titans
The Titans' season was dominated by controversy involving quarterback Vince Young, whose conflicts with coach Jeff Fisher finally reached a boiling point.
Houston Texans
The Texans' high-powered offense went to the ground this season, but breakout RB Arian Foster couldn't put the Texans over .500.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were one game ahead of the Colts with three to play, but lost those games in a slow-style end-of-season choke.
Indianapolis Colts
It wasn't a cakewalk for the Colts this year, but as has become routine in the Peyton Manning era, they managed to outlast the competition.
Vote: New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
1. Impressed by Patriots' offense or Bears' defense?
2. Bill Belichick in 2010 or Mike Ditka in 1985?
3. Which backfield tandem is better?
4. Is Chicago a better sports town than Boston?
5. Which team will win in Chicago?
Have your say on Patriots at Bears
Vote: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
1. Drew Brees' past or Sam Bradford's future?
2. Have the Saints turned the corner?
3. Is Steven Jackson slowing down?
4. Should a 7-9 division champ get in?
5. Which team will win in New Orleans?
Have your say on Rams at Saints
Vote: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
1. Which roster has more talent?
2. Who is the Chiefs' offensive MVP?
3. How good is Matt Cassel?
4. How good is the top-rated defense?
5. Which team will win in San Diego
Have your say on Chiefs at Chargers
Vote: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
1. Will Michael Vick regress as a passer?
2. Has Jason Garrett earned the job?
3. Is Kevin Kolb better than Tony Romo?
4. Would a Cowboys win be an upset?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Dolphins at Jets
Vote: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
1. Which season is most on the line?
2. Which coach is better?
3. Can the Dolphins stick with Chad Henne?
4. Is Santonio Holmes' the best WR?
5. Which team will win in Arlington, Texas?
Have your say on Eagles at Cowboys
Vote: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
1. Joe Flacco or Matt Schaub?
2. Would you take great offense over great defense?
3. Can Gary Kubiak save his job?
4. Arian Foster or Ray Rice's career?
5. Which team will win in Houston?
Have your say on Monday Night Football
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