NFC Playoff picture heading into Week 16

Outside of the NFC East, the NFC’s playoff teams are set. The Rams could make the playoffs but it would take a miracle. The Rams would have to beat the Niners — in San Francisco — and Cardinals and the Vikings would have to lose out. The Vikings have two home games. It’s doubtful they are going to lose out. That’s why the Rams aren’t on the list. Let’s check out the other races.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles 7-7

Remaining Games: Cowboys, @Giants

Dallas Cowboys 7-7

Remaining Games: @Eagles, Redskins

One write up for both teams. The NFC East crown is on the line in Week 16. It’s that simple. The winner of this matchup will win the division because there’s no way either team should — or would — lose to the Giants or Redskins. Yes, Dallas can make it into the playoffs if they lose to the Eagles but the Eagles lose to the Cowboys due to division record. Let’s just call this what it is, the game for the NFC East title.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers 11-3

Green Bay finds itself in a great position. They can win the one-seed if they win out. Of course, winning in Minnesota is not easy — and the Vikings are favored by 5.5 points this weekend. If the Packers lose, they will still win the NFC North title due to division record.

Remaining Schedule: @Vikings, Lions

Minnesota Vikings 10-4

Minnesota needs to win out and also needs the Packers to lose out to win the NFC North. It’s tough picturing that happening. The Vikings could miss the playoffs if they lose out and the Rams win out. That’s also not likely.

Remaining Schedule: Packers, Bears

NFC South

New Orleans Saints 11-3

The Saints won the NFC South weeks ago — not literally but figuratively of course — and have been fighting for seeding for a while now. The Saints own the tiebreaker against the Seahawks but do not own the tiebreaker against the Niners.

Remaining Games: @Titans, @Panthers

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks 11-3

Seattle will need to win out to win the NFC West. If they win out they will also get the second seed and a first-round bye. If they don’t win out, it means the Niners will probably win the NFC West — unless the Niners lose to the Rams this week.

Remaining Games: Cardinals, Niners

San Francisco 49ers 11-3

San Francisco still has a good shot at the top seed, they just need to beat the Rams this week and then beat the Seahawks in Seattle. It’s possible. It’s not possible if they play like they did against the Falcons.

Remaining Games: Rams, @Seahawks

Projected Finishes and Seeding next . . .