Hard to believe, but we're only four days from the New Year. For lollygagging politicians keeping score in St. Paul, that's five days and three years from the arrival of Zygi's Get Out of Minneapolis Free card.
Ten teams already know that 2008 will begin with a playoff berth next month. Two teams -- the Vikings and Browns -- know they would be playoff-bound too if not for the fact that it's darn near impossible to win with 45 men executing the international sign for "I'm choking!"
Here is what some of your favorite NFL teams and personnel will be doing for parts of 2008:
NE -14½ at NYG: Patriots by 7. Bill Belichick will be trying not to raise a thumb to his nose, wiggle his fingers, stick out his tongue and make flatulating noises while accepting the Lombardi Trophy from Roger Goodell.
MN -3 at DEN: Vikings by 7. Zygi Wilf will try to read his 77-page code of conduct to the team before Dwight Smith's next citation.
BUF +7 ½ at PHI: Eagles by 10. The Bills will be flirting with Toronto, scaring Buffalo and causing Zygi to go, "Hmm, how far is Winnipeg?"
CAR +3 at TB: Buccaneers by 7. Bucs GM Bruce Allen will pay extra attention to Best Buy greeters after ex-BB greeter Greg White racked up 5.5 sacks in the past six games.
DAL +9½ at WAS: Redskins by 12. Jessica Simpson will try not to attend a meaningful Cowboy game. In return, the Cowboys have agreed to let her play receiver against the Redskins.
