We took a look at the AFC playoff race at the midway point. Now, it’s time for the NFC. It’s a little more clear as the East is a two-team race, the NFC South is kind of decided, and the north has two teams with playoff hopes.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 4-3
The Cowboys have been up and down this season. They’ve moved the football — in terms of sheer yardage — in most of their games. They have a deep defense. They are the best team in the NFC East, yet they still haven’t pulled away from the Eagles. That’s a bit concerning seeing they have five away games and tough home matchups against the Vikings and Rams on their schedule.
Remaining Games: @Giants, Vikings, @Lions, @Patriots, Bills, @Bears, Rams, @Eagles, Redskins
Philadelphia Eagles 4-4
The Eagles are similar to the Cowboys in that they have been up and down all year. They have a depleted secondary and didn’t get help before the trade deadline. Their offense always seems to move in fits and starts. They were a trendy Super Bowl pick before the season started but sit at .500 halfway through the year. The good news for Philly is that they play three home games in a row. Their away games are pretty easy matchups. The game in Week 16 against the Cowboys could be for the NFC East.
Remaining Games: Bears, Patriots, Seahawks, @Dolphins, Giants, @Redskins, Cowboys, @Giants
NFC North
Green Bay Packers 7-1
The Packers are a freight train right now. They can’t do anything wrong. They are getting better every week. They just unleashed Aaron Jones as a pass-catcher against the Chiefs. Aaron Rodgers is the leader in the NFL MVP race. With their schedule, they should finish somewhere around 13-3. The game against the Niners could decide the top seed in the NFC.
Remaining Schedule: @Chargers, Panthers, @Niners, @Giants, Redskins, Bears, @Vikings, Lions
Minnesota Vikings 6-2
The Vikings could benefit from Patrick Mahomes missing their matchup this week. They also benefit from having three of their last four games at home. The Vikings had issues on offense to start the year but still ended up with a 6-2 record. Kirk Cousins has looked much better recently. Minnesota has a defense to make a playoff run. The only problem could be that they will have to win three games to get to the Super Bowl.
Remaining Schedule: @Chiefs, @Cowboys, Broncos, @Seahawks, Lions, @Chargers, Packers, Bears
NFC South
New Orleans Saints 7-1
New Orleans is definitely part of the three-team race for the top-seed in the NFC. The Saints get to play the Niners in New Orleans which is nice. What’s also nice is that Drew Brees is back and didn’t look like he missed a step last week in his return. The Saints also benefit from playing in one of the worst division in the NFC.
Remaining Games: Falcons, @Bucs, Panthers, @Falcons, Niners, Colts, @Titans, @Panthers
Carolina Panthers 4-3
The Panthers make the list, but only because they are currently over .500. They kind of showed their true colors last week when they got absolutely handled by the Niners. It’s tough to make the playoffs on the back of Christian McCaffrey and only McCaffrey. Two losses against the Saints, a loss against the Packers, and a loss against the Seahawks would put them out of the playoffs. It’s doubtful they will be favored in any of those games.
Remaining Games: Titans, @Packers, Falcons, @Saints, Redskins, @Falcons, Seahawks, @Colts, Saints
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers 7-0
The Niners have gotten off to a strong start. They should improve to 8-0 after this Thursday. They could even be 10-0 entering their matchup against the Packers. The end of their season is a bit difficult with three tough away games and a Week 16 matchup against a Rams team that could be fighting for its playoff life.
Remaining Games: @Cardinals, Seahawks, Cardinals, Packers, @Ravens, @Saints, Falcons, Rams, @Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 6-2
Seattle has impressed with a 6-2 start, but if there was a team where a fast start could come crashing down, it’s the Seahawks. They play two games against teams that are currently under .500. They aren’t even the worst of the sub-.500 teams in the NFL. They play a brutal stretch starting after this week. It’s never smart to doubt Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll, but that’s not a great schedule.
Remaining Games: Bucs, @Niners, @Eagles, Vikings, @Rams, @Panthers, Cardinals, Niners
Los Angeles Rams 5-3
For all the hand-wringing about the Rams early on in the season, they are 5-3 with five home games remaining. That’s not a bad situation to be in. They should be favored in their next five games — and maybe their next six.
Remaining Games: @Steelers, Bears, Ravens, @Cardinals, Seahawks, Cowboys, @Niners, Cardinals
