The NFC Playoff race doesn’t have much drama with the wildcard. The teams that don’t win the North and West will most likely make it to the tournament. There are a ton of interesting divisional races.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 5-4
Dallas blew a winnable game against Minnesota, but that’s what the Cowboys have been doing all year. Blowing winnable games. Now they are in a tight race with the Eagles. They could shoot for a wild card if they slip up in the NFC East, but the Vikings now have the tiebreaker and it will be difficult to catch the loser of the NFC West race between the Seahawks and Niners. The Eagles game in Week 16 could decide the division.
Remaining Games: @Lions, @Patriots, Bills, @Bears, Rams, @Eagles, Redskins
Philadelphia Eagles 5-4
The Eagles need to split their next two games at worse. If they don’t all isn’t lost though. Their schedule is pretty easy after Week 12. Those NFC matchups outside of the Cowboys game are cakewalks. Their record looks like 10-6 at the worst.
Remaining Games: Patriots, Seahawks, @Dolphins, Giants, @Redskins, Cowboys, @Giants
NFC North
Green Bay Packers 8-2
Green Bay got a bit lucky beating Carolina at a snowy Lambeau Field. Now they enter the bye week one game behind the Niners for the top seed in the NFC and look what team is on the Packers’ schedule next. After the Niners game, the Packers could theoretically run the table with their only tough game against Minnesota. Speaking of the Vikings . . .
Remaining Schedule: @Niners, @Giants, Redskins, Bears, @Vikings, Lions
Minnesota Vikings 7-3
They had a huge win against Dallas. Kirk Cousins won a primetime game. Minnesota a very good defense which should carry them to the playoffs. They could even win the division but that would take a Packers loss and the Vikings essentially running the table.
Remaining Schedule: Broncos, @Seahawks, Lions, @Chargers, Packers, Bears
NFC South
New Orleans Saints 7-2
The Saints are still winning the NFC South, but their offense is an issue that needs to be fixed. Drew Brees hasn’t really been able to stretch the field since last Thanksgiving. He has one true wide receiving threat. The Saints defense is going to be important going forward. The offense will improve. Their chance at a one-seed goes through the Niners. Maybe the loss to the Falcons was the best thing for the Saints and it wakes them up.
Remaining Games: @Bucs, Panthers, @Falcons, Niners, Colts, @Titans, @Panthers
Carolina Panthers 5-4
Carolina is on the outside looking in right now. They will have two tough games against the Saints and lose-able games against the Seahawks and Colts. A 9-7 record won’t make the playoffs in the NFC.
Remaining Games: Falcons, @Saints, Redskins, @Falcons, Seahawks, @Colts, Saints
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers 8-1
The Niners lost a game they had a chance to win. That’s fine. The Seahawks are good. Now the Niners will have to fight for the top seed in the NFC and try and stay atop the NFC West since Seattle has the tiebreaker. They are entering the tough part of their schedule after the Cardinals. We will know how good the Niners are in short order.
Remaining Games: Cardinals, Packers, @Ravens, @Saints, Falcons, Rams, @Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 8-2
Seattle is good. Jadeveon Clowney showed how dominant he can be. There’s no more questioning the Seahawks in one-score games. If Seattle can keep it close, they will find a way to win. They’ll make the playoffs one way or another even with three tough games coming out of their bye.
Remaining Games: @Eagles, Vikings, @Rams, @Panthers, Cardinals, Niners
Los Angeles Rams 5-4
It might be time to give up on the Rams. Their Super Bowl hangover has taken hold and there looks to be no turning back. It doesn’t help that they play four Super Bowl contenders in their remaining seven games.
Remaining Games: Bears, Ravens, @Cardinals, Seahawks, Cowboys, @Niners, Cardinals
