Here we are sports fans. Three weeks left in the regular season. This is about the time of year that we start to see the various playoff scenarios. The contenders play in meaningful “must win” games, while the pretenders look to play spoiler. Each year, the NFL has 12 postseason invitations. The eight division champs all make the playoffs, along with four wild card teams (two from each conference). So far, three teams have already locked up their division – Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and New England Patriots. The Houston Texans have clinched a playoff berth, but are still battling the Indianapolis Colts for the division crown. With eight spots still up for grabs, there are still a significant number of teams battling down the stretch. Here’s my take on teams that look likely to punch their ticket for the playoffs:

Green Bay Packers – at 9-4, they are in control of the NFC North. They have a huge rivalry game this weekend in Chicago, and a win would clinch the division title.

San Francisco 49ers – With one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, the 49ers are on the verge of clinching either the division or a wild card berth. They need to play hard though, because the Seattle Seahawks are right on their heels with rookie Russell Wilson leading the charge. Even if Seattle doesn’t catch the 49ers, I still look for them to wrap up a wild card berth and advance to the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens – Leading the AFC North, but reeling from a 2 game losing streak, it’s time for the Ravens to put up or shut up. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are both right behind them in the division race.

Indianapolis Colts – Yes, the Colts are a surprising 9-4 with rookie sensation Andrew Luck. They play the Houston Texans twice in the final three weeks, so Indy can think about a division championship or at least a wild card berth. I don’t know anyone who predicted they would be back in contention so soon after losing Peyton Manning.

Any teams I didn’t cover are either on the bubble, like the entire NFC East, or far from contending. No worries though, as we’ll keep you up to date on all the playoff races, and offer you the freshest gear to cheer your contender on in their playoff quest. If all goes well, they will be playing in New Orleans in February.

Kenny Britt rides off after suffering a season ending injury. (Jae S. Lee / AP)

This guest post is by Marmaone of Mar’s View from the Stands.

Here we are football fans, we asked for it and we got it. The NFL Lockout ended in late July and the season started on time. But two weeks in and all I can really think about is the rash of players not actually playing. Now to be fair, injuries are a part of the game. Every year teams find themselves in a state of readjustment due to a low hit on a QB, cracked ribs, ankle strain, the list goes on; but something about this young 2011 season has me thinking – how much did the lockout affect all these early injuries?

Keep in mind that during the lockout players weren’t allowed to have contact with their coaches, trainers or facilities. While these guys are big boys and I’m sure work out hard, many times a week – this is a team game that employs these personnel for a reason. Teams need structure, OTA’s, practices to gel as a unit, to build on field chemistry, to learn the playbook, to AVOID injury – and for months, they received none of that.

Before the season even started Peyton Manning had surgery, which we’ve since learned will end his season and Arian Foster sat out Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury that has plagued him since preseason. The NY Giants started their season without a majority of their defensive starters. Kickers and punters haven’t been exempt from the injury bug either with the Saints K Garrett Hartley hurt in a preseason game and out for an extended period of time. I could go on and on with a list of the NFL’s version of a MASH unit though I’m sure you get the point.

Only time will tell if teams are able to overcome and minimize the injuries. One can only wonder at this point if the lockout did in fact have a direct cause and effect to the number of injuries but the evidence is certainly building a strong case.

For the third time within a 20 month period, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has gone under the knife for his ailing neck. Originally after his first surgery, many experts believed Manning could have played some of the 2011-2012 season. But it is now looking like Manning will miss most, if not all of the season.
Manning was ranked second in most consecutive starts with 227, but with his injury that streak will come to an end. The four-time MVP has not had a history of injuries, but Manning himself is 35 years old and to have three surgeries on one area is cause for alarm.

So where does this leave the Colts? Manning, arguably was their best offensive player, if not one of the best players in the league. Indianapolis have signed veteran QB Kerry Collins to fill in for him, who prior to 3 weeks ago was officially retired. It will be an uphill battle for the Colts this season who are in division with the upstart Houston Texans. It will be interesting to see when Manning comes back this season, which will probably correlate with how competitive the Colts will be this year. It would be wise for the Colts to be patient with Manning, but you never know what will happen.

One week into the Kerry Collins experiment and we can say the Colts are definitely missing Peyton Manning. The offense was unable to get off the ground against the Texans, and Kerry Collins looked every bit as old as his beard makes him out to be. If this goes on much longer, will the Colts potentially be in the Andrew Luck lottery as the worst team in the NFL?

Either way, we know fans won’t jump off the bandwagon. Shop all your Indianapolis Colts merchandise with us and make sure you cheer on your Colts in style.

So much for a QB controversy in Philadelphia. All Kevin Kolb (and the Redskins) could do was watch in amazement as Michael Vick put on a Monday Night Football performance for the ages this week, throwing for 4 touchdowns and running for 2 more in a 59-28 blowout of the Washington Redskins. As a result of that game, and the season overall, the Philadelphia Eagles are now talking about offering Michael Vick a new contract to ensure he stays in Philly for years to come. If he keeps it up, former franchise QB Kevin Kolb will soon be traded or off to free agency to find a new team.

Every sports blog, tweet, and casual conversation since the game has centered around the historical perspective of that performance. The next best QB performance I can think of on Monday Night Football would be the “Brett Favre Game” after his father passed away. This, however, was something altogether different. Michael Vick was brilliant as a passer, runner, and field general, as the Eagles did whatever they wanted to the poor Redskins. Even more impressive, was that the Redskins had two weeks to prepare for Vick and the Eagles. Coming off a bye week, they were able to hold the Eagles to “only” 59 points.

With only 4 complete games this season, Michael Vick has entered the league MVP discussion. He’s already won as many games as Philip Rivers, who is a top MVP candidate. His QB rating of 115.1 is far and away the best in the NFL this season. If the season ended today, that number would be good enough for 3rd all time! Peyton Manning’s single season passer rating record of 121.1 is now within sight.

The questions out there are (1) Can he keep up this torrid pace? (2) How far will the Eagles go this year with Vick as their QB? and (3) Is Michael Vick a legitimate MVP candidate? Sound off and let me know your thoughts.