As you would be quick to tell anyone else - there are other variables that have to be accounted for:
1. All three teams have or had injuries at key positions - who has the best situation right now in terms of injuries?
2. Is anyone going to start their 2005 or 1965 Quarterback?
3. Of those third place teams - how close were their records to the second place team? Were they third place teams that had a slow start but picked up the pace late in the year?
4. Did they beat the first and second place teams convincingly late in the season?
Note: these questions may be considered rhetorical.