The NFL is entering its closing stretch, with the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders appear to be headed for for surprisingly high playoff berths.
On the other hand, several teams that had high hopes before the season have been struggling. So, #PulseOfTheNation asks:
The Carolina Panthers (4-7), of course, reached last season's Super Bowl after a long unbeaten run to start the season. The Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1) were the Panthers' opponent in the NFC Championship Game after beating the Green Bay Packers (5-6) in the divisional round. The Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1) are coming off five straight playoff appearances, while the New York Jets (3-8) went 10-6 last year, missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker.