THE NFL REPORT : Four NFC East Teams Might Make the Playoffs

For the first time ever, four teams from one division may make the playoffs--the Giants, Redskins, Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East.

That’s because for the first time ever, league rules allow four teams from one division to make it.

With two weeks still left in the regular season, only four of the 12 berths are still available--just one in the NFC and three in the AFC. Moreover, two AFC teams can clinch at least wild-cards next week--Houston by beating Cincinnati and Kansas City by winning in San Diego.

Buffalo and Miami, who meet to settle the AFC East next week, have already made it. So have the Raiders.

In fact, five AFC teams have been eliminated--New England, Cleveland, Denver, the New York Jets and San Diego.

In the NFC, the Eagles and Redskins wrapped up wild cards this weekend, while the Cowboys’ 41-10 rout of Phoenix put them at 7-7, in the lead for the sixth NFC spot, a remarkable comeback after a 1-15 season. The 49ers, Giants and Bears had already clinched division titles.

Lurking right behind Dallas are four 6-8 teams: Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Minnesota and New Orleans.

Three weeks ago, tight end Arthur Cox of the Chargers fumbled twice, once when San Diego was in position for a game-winning field goal, the second time in overtime to set up Norm Johnson’s game-winning field goal for Seattle.

On Sunday, another San Diego tight end, Derrick Walker, fumbled as he tried to reach into the end zone for a score. The ball was recovered by Denver’s Randy Robbins, sending the Broncos on to a 20-10 win.

If Cox and Walker had held the ball, the Chargers might be 8-6 and in playoff position instead of eliminated.

Buffalo, ironically, might have been better off for the long-term war if it had lost its battle with the Giants.

Kelly was injured in the Bills’ 17-13 win one play after the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor dropped what would have almost surely been an interception for a touchdown.

If Taylor had held the ball, the Bills might have lost the game, but not Kelly.