The 1972 Miami Dolphins can celebrate once again. There will be no undefeated team in the NFL this year. The final nail in the coffin was delivered in week 16 of the NFL season when the New York Jets upended the 14-0 Indianapolis Colts, 29-15.  But did they beat the “real” Colts?

By many accounts, no. Certainly not according to the fans of the homestanding Colts, who booed as first year head coach Jim Caldwell replaced Peyton Manning and other key players in the third quarter shortly after Indianapolis had retaken the lead at 18-15.

Disastrous results followed as Manning’s backup, the untested Curtis Painter, wilted under the NFL spotlight with a fumble that was returned for a TD that put the Jets on top for good. The Colts’ quest for perfection as well as the team’s record-setting 23 game winning streak were no more.

The win also was huge for the Jets as it put them in control of their own destiny heading into the final week of the season. A win in that final game means they are in the playoffs – no ifs, ands, or buts.

Undoubtedly there are a few teams not so pleased by that, but that’s life in the NFL. Even a shot at perfection won’t stop teams that have clinched from resting stars for the playoffs.

As Dan Patrick lamented in the Sunday night pre-game show, that’s what opponents to the 18-game schedule use as an argument for their case. I’d bet there are a few fantasy owners out there in total agreement. More meaningless games during the playoffs for fantasy leagues?  No thanks!

Check the MLB standings and once again, baseball in September means something for about 14 teams, as they battle for the 8 playoff spots. Once seen as a slap to traditional baseball,  you have to admit that the three divisions per league and the wild card entries keep baseball relevant and interesting for more than half the league.

So, with that said, here is a quick rundown of the teams, and what I think their chances are.  Might be a good time to list my credentials — besides being a huge sports fanatic, I also spent a little while in the Boston Globe Sports Department.   We’ll know how well I did with my picks in a few weeks…

THE LOCKS

New York Yankees: best season ever for the Bombers in a long time?  We think so. They already have 82 wins.  Scary. It would take a utter meltdown for them not to make the playoffs at this stage.  Not gonna happen.

Philadelphia Phillies: Braves or Marlins will not catch them in this division.  Defending World Champs get to play in October.

St. Louis Cardinals:  They are up 10 on the Cubbies at this stage of the year.  No way Chicago catches them.

THE 99% GUARANTEES

Los Angeles Dodgers: They were a LOCK about three weeks ago, but now that the Giants and Rockies are winning, the NL West is getting interesting.   A six-game lead is not commanding with the Dodgers.  We will see.

California Angels: The other LA team is only 5 ahead of the Texas Rangers in AL West as of tonight, but it is the Texas Rangers we are talking about.  Angels always finish strong, and they have the horses.

THE ALMOST THERES

Boston Red Sox: Two weeks ago, they were written off.  Now they are in command of the AL Wild Card again, thanks to the bats coming alive (VMart trade looks good.)  A 3.5 lead is not big over Texas, but it is sure better than being .5 game out.

San Francisco Giants/Colorado Rockies:  These two teams are charging in the NL West, making it the most entertaining division in MLB right now.  Our money is on the Giants with their staff and that Sandoval guy.  Hell, Giants can catch the Dodgers.  Now that would be something.

Detroit Tigers: In MLB’s weakest division, these guys will take it, now that White Sox are tanking and Twins…do I need to say it? I mean, it’s the Twins!

THE DREAMERS

Texas Rangers: Typical Texas swoon begins:  pitching falters and hitters sweat too much.

Tampa Bay Rays: Too much of a gap to catch up to both Red Sox and Rangers.

Atlanta Braves/Florida Marlins: With the Rockies and Giants beating each other up, this is the second-tier fight, and unfortunately, there is only one Wild Card per league.

Seattle Marines/Minnesota Twins: Start making those golf tee times. No chance.

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Julio Ricardo Varela graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1990, having been the Sports Editor for the Harvard Crimson. After a stint at the Boston Globe sports department, Julio dove into publishing, creating some of the country’s top program for schoolchildren as well as promoting v5, LLC, his family company.   An avid sports fanatic, Julio still loves to write about sports, even though he stopped rooting for the Yankees in 1992 and now is a proud member of Red Sox Nation. He still likes the Knicks, so you can make fun of him with that.