For what it’s worth, I just received an e-mail via a Cardinal that Arizona WR Anquan Boldin will not play tonight against the Carolina Panthers.

With losses in four of the last five games, including two straight since clinching a playoff spot in Week 14, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt believes his team is lacking confidence.

With Thursday night’s game about to kick off, New Orleans’ view of the playoffs could come into focus.

Next is the breakdown of the AFC playoff scenarios heading into Week 14. No teams have clinched a spot in the AFC, while the Bengals and Chiefs are the only teams eliminated.

We’ve got our first look at this week’s playoff scenarios. Here’s a rundown of the playoff picture in the NFC, where no teams have clinched, but the Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks have been eliminated.

Knowing the tough economic times we are in, the NFL is doing its fans a favor. The average ticket price for NFL playoff games this year will be approximately 10% lower than last year, the NFL confirmed today, citing the economic challenges facing fans as the reason for the reduction.

The only streak in football every bit as impressive as Brett Favre’s streak of 253 consecutive regular-season starts is that the NFL now has gone 12 straight seasons with at least five teams qualifying for the playoffs that didn’t make it the previous season.