Sports Sunday Thread #1 For 12/13/09: NFL Week 14 Early Games Review

Chad Henne's efficient day was enough to keep the Dolphins a serious factor in the AFC (Photo from the AP's Phil Coale)

It is a wild playoff situation in the AFC after the early games.

First, the unbeaten stay unbeaten. The Colts 21-0 lead was too much for the Broncos to overcome, despite an amazing 21 reception (NFL record), 200 yard day from the beast that is Brandon Marshall. While another road adventure the Saints endured, as a depleted Falcons team game them all they could handle.

To the game that really didn't matter at all: The Matt Cassel era in Kansas City hit a massive low, as his 4 INT's give T.O and company the win.

And the wildness in the AFC:
The Ravens made themselves relevant again with an a-- whipping win over the Lions 48-3.

The same can sort of be said for the Texans, as Andre Johnson ran wide on a porous soft Seattle team.

The game that really helped by the Ravens and the Texans was the big win the Dolphins had over their state rivals the Jaguars.

Another team facilitated by Miami's victory was the Jets, as they dominate hapless Tampa Bay without Matt Sanchez.

Not apart of the 7-6 cabal though are the Patriots, as they get what matters most against the Panthers in a sloppy game: the win.

To explain the AFC playoff situation in a little while, but NFC North matters to talk about. The Vikings got back on track with the win over the Bengals because Adrian Peterson got back on track.

But they didn't clinch the division yet, as the Packers scored a big win to improve to 9-4 against a Bears team seemingly leading Lovie Smith to the unemployment line possibly.

The #6 spot in the AFC is a mess with what has transpired, as four teams are tied for 7-6 with a few teams behind at 6-7. What can be said is that the Jaguars control their destiny despite today's loss to the Dolphins. But if they end up tied with the Dolphins alone.....well, the Dolphins will get the nod.

Your Week 14 early game review.

The combination of Brees and Colston works yet again for New Orleans (AP Photo/John Amis)