Ellington

I have a couple of quick NFL thoughts as the season heads to the final three weeks.

This season has been defined by the play of rookie quarterbacks more than any season I can recall. Robert Griffin III (Washington), Andrew Luck (Indianapolis) and Russell Wilson (Seattle) all have their teams in position to make the playoffs this season.

All three players should get recognized, but are people going overboard with praise? I have to ask after the lovefest the media had with Cam Newton last year.

Newton put up impressive numbers with the Carolina Panthers last season and was given major props all season. He hasn’t had the same type of success this season, and that praise has turned to questioning what is wrong with Newton. The talking heads are wondering if last year was an aberration and if we are now seeing the real Newton. (Last week’s game notwithstanding.)

The biggest difference is that there are 16 games of tape for teams to watch on Newton. Defensive coordinators have learned Newton’s tendencies and how to play against his style of quarterbacking.

Next season, it wouldn’t surprise me if RGIII, Luck and Wilson come back to earth after a full season of tape for defensive coordinators to watch. Let’s slow up on preordaining these three quarterbacks with lasting success.

I remember when Michael Vick entered the league—the media said he was redefining the quarterback position. They said the same when he came back from prison, but now rookie Nick Foles has replaced Vick. Vince Young was similarly hyped, and now he isn’t even in the league anymore.

Sure, RGIII, Luck or Wilson might go on to have Hall of Fame careers, but I’m not going to put their bust in Canton just yet, and neither should the media.

As for the Saints, after their 52-27 loss to the Giants, I tweeted that New Orleans playoff hopes were done for 2012. But the Saints still have a chance—a slim chance, but a chance—to reach the postseason, according to ESPN.com’s NFL Playoff machine. Here is what has to happen:

New Orleans has to win out to finish the season by defeating Tampa Bay, Dallas and Carolina.

The New York Giants must win the NFC East to keep the Dallas Cowboys or the Washington Redskins from winning the Division. Dallas has to go 1-2 in its remaining games to finish 8-8, and must defeat the Redskins to end the season.

Washington can beat the Browns to finish the season 8-8, but has to go 1-2 by losing to the Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Minnesota Vikings have to lose to the St. Louis Rams and the Green Bay Packers, but they can win against the Texans to go 8-8.

Speaking of St. Louis, the Rams need to defeat the Vikings, but lose their final two games.

The Seahawks must defeat the Rams in their final game of the season to earn at least the fifth seed. It doesn’t hurt the Saints if Seattle wins out to end the season.

Finally, Chicago must go winless to finish the season. Any win by the Bears puts them in the playoffs over the Saints.