81.   Reaching the playoffs, of course, would be only the first step toward Subway Series I.

82.   Should the Red Sox and the Cubs reach the playoffs, could they meet in the World Series?

83.   Since returning to the site of their greatest glory, they have yet to have a winning season or reach the playoffs.

84.   Shula coached six teams to the Super Bowl, more than any other coach, and his teams reached the playoffs in four different decades.

85.   Still, the experience of reaching the playoffs has always out-weighted whatever side effects getting there might create.

86.   Sunday seemed eerily like last year, when the Jets needed one victory in their final three games to reach the playoffs.

87.   Tampa Bay likely will need a wild card just to reach the playoffs.

88.   That record is surpassed only by the Denver Broncos, who have reached the playoffs four times and won two Super Bowls.

89.   That could happen if San Jose fails to reach the playoffs.

90.   The Angels now trail Seattle by three games and are in danger of not even reaching the playoffs.