What a difference making the playoffs makes for an NFL team's fan base. Once the Giants beat Buffalo in the monsoon last Sunday,  in the first 24 hours post-game, over 200 Giants fan ticket holders put their tickets for this coming Sunday's game against the Patriots on EBay for sale. This is the" American Way!" Then Monday another 3000 joined them on Stub Hub for the ticket sell-off. Since Sunday's game could be somewhat historic if the Patriots finish the regular season undefeated, Patriot fans have ponied up to pay as much as $1600 for winning bids. The $ meant more than seeing the Giants rest their starters prior to playing their playoff game. Tom Coughlin has already started a debate by announcing he might rest his starters, giving some of the walking wounded an additional week to recover before playing a game that means the possible end of their season. After all, if rumors are true that Coughlin's future as Giants head coach rests on how well the team performs in the playoffs, then that game would be the priority to play well in, not the regular season finish. After all ,Coughlin needs to be concerned with the Giants, not the Patriots really.

This situation then brings into question whether the Patriots, having sewn up the AFC North what seemed like a lifetime ago, should do? Bill Belichick, when it gets to this time of the season for most of the last decade, has not appreciated the questions thrown his way about how he will approach playing his starters this weekend. "We will do what is best for OUR football team!" is the refrain that he should have recorded to save his voice. What happens if he plays QB Tom Brady in a meaningless game, is up by a controlling score, leaves Brady in, and some Giant takes a cheap Pittsburgh-like late hit on Brady's knee? Is this in any way a team good enough to overcome the loss of Brady and still win in a playoff game? Do the Patriots and the Giants owe fans that paid last summer for their tickets to see this game the best effort their franchises can provide? What do the Giants have to lose by taking out Brady, especially if Belichick decides to handle this game like he did the last time the Redskins faced New England. There were many cries of "FOUL!" over the final score where New England hammered the Redskins by 40 points. Do the Patriots owe their fans the same type of showing against a weaker Giants roster. Do they owe the fans the chance to see Brady set an NFL record for touchdowns passed for, as he currently sits one behind Peyton Manning's record set last year? The whole scenario puts an interesting twist onto a game that otherwise could be tuned out by many NFL TV fans this weekend.

The next Chapter of AS the NFL Turns is the situation in Miami. Sunday's game for the Dolphins could well be Cam Cameron's last game as Miami Dolphins head coach. Since the hiring of Bill Parcells as Exec.V.P., there has been much speculation about Cameron's immediate future. As would be expected, since he really probably doesn't know if he can save his job or not, Cameron has shunned all questions concerning any topic that includes Parcells. Even if he does come back as head coach, Cameron's power could be well lessened. Parcells is expected to shortly deal with defensive leader Zach Thomas' situation. Thomas is on I.R., but will command an impressive base salary of around $5.6 million next season. Combine those facts with the fact that Joey Porter, who was bought and imported to strengthen up the Miami defense this season, did not play well throughout the team's league-worst regular season. Bill "the TUNA" could be swimming with the sharks pretty soon upon appearing around the Miami beach areas.

Terrell Owens will be out of this weekend's Dallas-Redskins classic game. The Cowboys, however, could have new cavalry riding up to safe the day! Wide out Terry Glenn is expected to make his season debut. That in itself is impressive if it happens, as Glenn has had two arthroscopic knee procedures since training camp started. To return at all this season, because he is of thirty something age, or to return at all possibly, is quite an accomplishment after those surgeries. To do it in a Washington- Dallas game  adds a little more drama. This might divert some of the media's attention to the Romo-Simpson love wagon back onto an NFL contest. Also, remember that T.O. has a remarkable ability to heal quickly as the stakes get higher in playoff games.

Look for Rudi Johnson to make his return this weekend against the Dolphins. He has missed four total games this season, mostly due to a hamstring injury, which lowered his fantasy output greatly. Many of us drafted him high in our leagues bases upon past production, and we really got burned this time. Johnson will probably split carries with Ken Watson, who did perform well for fantasy owners that had the foresight to pick him up. This would still negate Johnson's fantasy value , and the best thing for fantasy owners that still had him would be for him to be ruled out. It might save fantasy owners from themselves and to still try to salvage big points from him.

Ladainian Tomlinson bolted into the league for the rushing title, now standing with 1,418 yards. His closest competitor, Willie Parker of the Steelers was placed on IR one week ago, ending his season. Look for LT to pad those yards against the Raiders Sunday. Now his closest competition comes from Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson. Peterson has 1,305 yards, but was held to 27 yards rushing by the Redskins last week. One note to see is whether LT, who didn't play for significant tome in the second half last week because of a hamstring tweak, is able to perform and whether he is allowed to play for any time, since the Chargers are working on the no.3 seed , the Raiders game is really of no other significance then for players' personal statistics. One other item of interest in that game is that Charger kicker Nate Kaeding could be playing with a broken fibula on his left leg. It remains a team decision that has not been officially announced.

That is the up-to-date drama surrounding the NFL so far this week. For races that have already been decided in the divisional slots, there are still several interesting scenarios to watch develop this weekend. May your picture be clear and your couch comfortable in this some-what lull before playoff action takes hold.