The NFL's most frenetic finish in ages is spiced by three of the most resilient teams in recent history.
By Sunday evening, the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons could join the Tennessee Titans in celebration of a season brought back from the brink.
In Week 5, it appeared all three teams were doomed to play out the string as also-rans. The Jets lost to Kansas City, 29-25, to fall to 1-4 heading into their bye week. The Titans suffered an embarrassing 31-14 home loss to Washington to slip to 1-4. And the Falcons were drilled by Tampa Bay, 20-6, to drop to 1-3.
Collectively, they were 3-11. Since then, those three teams have combined for a 24-6-1 record and one division title - the AFC South crown won by the Titans (10-5) on Sunday.
If the Jets (8-7) beat Green Bay at the Meadowlands in Week 17 and New England beats Miami, New York wins the AFC East on tiebreakers.
If the Falcons (9-5-1) win on the road against the Cleveland Browns, they clinch an NFC wild-card berth. They also can get in with a loss by the New York Giants on Saturday or a loss by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
These turnarounds were precipitated by a change of quarterback in New York, a thinly veiled threat in Tennessee and a natural phenomenon in Atlanta.
The Jets benched Vinny Testaverde after getting outscored 102-13 in three straight losses in September. Chad Pennington lost his first start on Oct. 6, but the Jets won seven of the next 10 games. As he demonstrated again Sunday night in a 30-17 win over New England, Pennington has exceptional poise and remarkable accuracy.
"I think he deserves a lot of credit [for the turnaround]," Jets general manager Terry Bradway said recently. "He provided the energy, the spark, the enthusiasm we needed. Not only for the offense, but the defense also picked up on it, too. He provided a very positive feeling on both sides of the ball."
The Jets were 2-5 when they hammered 6-1 San Diego in Week 9, launching a four-game winning streak and a deep slide by the Chargers. Having endured early adversity, New York could be better prepared for a playoff run.
"The thing about this team, it's funny, we never lost confidence," coach Herm Edwards said at yesterday's news conference. "A lot of people might say that. We never lost confidence. We were just going down the wrong road."
Tennessee's crucible arrived with the loss to the Redskins. Afterward, Titans owner Bud Adams dressed down the coaching staff by saying, "It looks to me like we're getting out-coached."
If the threat bothered coach Jeff Fisher, he never let on. But the Titans won nine of their next 10 games to position themselves for the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Their only loss was a Week 12 defeat in Baltimore.
Although quarterback Steve McNair has thrown 15 interceptions this season, he has thrown only one in the past four games, when he has hardly practiced because of injuries. McNair's play and a return to a physical style of defense have turned the Titans into the league's hottest team.
It didn't hurt team unity when the Titans were snubbed in last week's Pro Bowl balloting. Not a single Titan made the AFC team. Yet, if the Titans beat Houston on Sunday and Oakland loses to Kansas City, they would claim the AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
Atlanta's playoff run, meanwhile, coincided with the emergence of quarterback Michael Vick as a major force. Until Vick posted his first 300-yard passing game Sunday against Detroit, most of his exploits were accomplished with his feet.
"Mike had an outstanding game after starting out struggling," Falcons coach Dan Reeves said. "To me, that's a sign of maturity, and he's getting better ... throwing the football."
The Falcons had their best offensive production Sunday with 533 yards. Since starting 1-3, they have gone 8-2-1. But they have been graced in their comeback by a favorable schedule.
Four times they've beaten teams ranked 27th or worse in total offense. Three other times they beat teams ranked 26th or worse in defense.
But, clearly, momentum counts in the NFL. And overcoming early obstacles could become a keynote. Last year, remember, the Patriots started 1-3, only to win their last nine games and grab a Super Bowl trophy.