NFC Playoff picture heading into Week 14

We didn’t really learn much about the NFC in Week 13 that we already didn’t know. The NFC East isn’t very good. The Saints are the only team in the NFC South that is better than mediocre. The NFC North’s two-team race is still the same — although the Bears could make a theoretical run if they win their next game. The NFC West’s two top teams may be the best in the NFC. Both are making it to the postseason tournament.

(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys 6-6

There’s a legit chance the Cowboys don’t make the playoffs and there’s only one thing to blame here. They’ve been coached out of games they should have won. Now they face a tough game in Chicago against a pretty good Bears defense and then have to face a Rams team that is making a last-ditch effort for the wild card. Win those two games and they travel to Philadelphia for what could be an NFC East championship game. Good luck, Jason Garrett.

Remaining Games: @Bears, Rams, @Eagles, Redskins

Philadelphia Eagles 5-7

I am going to have to speak this into reality because there is absolutely no reason a playoff team should lose to the Miami Dolphins. Yet, here we are. The Eagles have a cake schedule the rest of the way and only need to beat the Cowboys at home to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, they don’t have Nick Foles around for this run — and their eventual playoff games.

Remaining Games: Giants, @Redskins, Cowboys, @Giants

NFC North

Green Bay Packers 9-3

The Packers can rest easy after the Vikings failed to pull out a win on Monday night against the Seahawks. Green Bay blew the doors off of the Giants, but that’s not a huge accomplishment. They will probably beat the Redskins as well. They win two of their last three and they are comfortably sitting at 12-4. It’s not good enough for a bye, but it’s the best they can do.

Remaining Schedule: Redskins, Bears, @Vikings, Lions

Minnesota Vikings 8-4

When the Vikings beat the Cowboys, everyone reacted like Kirk Cousins and company got over the hump of beating good teams. Now we know the Cowboys aren’t very good and that win doesn’t look impressive at all. Minnesota can basically lock up a playoff spot with wins in their next two games. They should be able to accomplish that.

Remaining Schedule: Lions, @Chargers, Packers, Bears

NFC South

New Orleans Saints 10-2

The Saints have clinched the NFC South and are looking for the top seed in the NFC now. If they beat the Niners at home, there’s not much standing in their way.

Remaining Games: Niners, Colts, @Titans, @Panthers

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks 10-2

We have a new top team in the NFC West. The Seahawks better not have a letdown game against the desperate Rams this week. The Panthers and Cardinals should both be easy wins. The NFC West and a bye could come down to the last week of the season. They might as well schedule that game for Sunday Night Football now.

Remaining Games: @Rams, @Panthers, Cardinals, Niners

San Francisco 49ers 10-2

The Niners came close to beating the hottest team in the NFL and now they don’t have much to show for it. They are no longer the top team in their division which means they can’t get a bye. They now have to travel to New Orleans to face a Saints team that is getting healthy.

Remaining Games: @Saints, Falcons, Rams, @Seahawks

Projected Finishes and Seeding next . . .