The NFC Playoff Picture
We're getting closer to seeing a perfect season, and a few other great NFC stories as the season winds down. The Lions making the playoffs would be great for the city of Detroit. The 49ers have had a great turnaround from a 6-10 team last year to the number two seed. And can the Cowboys overcome their December woes and finally win a playoff game this year?
Here's a look at the NFC's playoff picture:
1. Green Bay Packers (13-0)
2. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (10-3)
4. New York Giants (7-6)
5. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)
6. Detroit Lions (8-5)
7. Chicago Bears (7-6)
8. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)
NFC East:
The New York Giants were virtually on the brink of elimination this past weekend, after losing four games in a row, and having to go into then division leader Dallas. A loss would have put them two games behind the Cowboys, who also would have held the head to head tie-breaker, with only three weeks left in the season. Instead, the Giants kept themselves alive and defeated the Cowboys 37-34; a game in which Eli Manning led the Giants back from down 12 points in the final 6 minutes of the game. As it stands now, the Giants are in as the four seed and the Cowboys are on the outside looking in. However, the two teams will meet again in New York in week 17, and the winner of this game will likely win the division, while the other is likely to miss the playoffs.
NFC North:
The Packers continue to cruise this season, with their latest victims being the Oakland Raiders. Oakland was down by 14 before you could get comfortable in your seat to watch the game. At 13-0, there is every reason to think that Green Bay will lock up home field throughout in the coming weeks. The Bears were the first wild card team in a week ago, but after blowing a 10-0 lead at Denver, have fallen out of the top six. The Bears have been realizing everyone's fears about their offense after Cutler went down, and if they are unable to figure something out soon, they may have just been displaced for good. The Lions, who have fallen behind big early several times this year, found themselves in the unusual position of getting out to a big lead, only to blow it. Fortunately for them, the refs missed a key facemask penalty against Minnesota's Joe Webb, and held on to a 34-28 victory. At 8-5, the Lions have moved up to the six spot, but are going to need to play better than they did in the second half this past week if they are going to stay there.
NFC South:
The Saints got a key win at Tennessee this past weekend, and after a 49ers loss, have moved into a tie with them at 10-3 a piece. San Francisco still holds the tie breaker with an 8-2 conference record, compared to the Saints 6-3 record, so New Orleans may need to gain one more game in order to get the two seed. San Francisco hosts Pittsburgh in a highly anticipated Monday Night game this coming week, and this may be the Saints best chance to move up a spot. Atlanta also won a big game at Carolina this past weekend, and hold the tie breaker over the six seeded Lions. The Falcons still have home games against the Jaguars and Buccaneers, so Atlanta looks to be in good shape to lock up one of the wild card spots.
NFC West:
The 49ers lost a rare game to the Cardinals this past weekend, and slipped into a tie with the Saints for the two seed. Fortunately for them, they still hold the tie breaker, and if they can take care of business at home this week against the Steelers, they are big favorites to hold onto the spot. The Saints still have a tough game to play against the Falcons, so San Francisco is still in pretty good shape. The Cardinals, coming off a win against the Niners, and the Seahawks are both playing better of late, and at 6-7 each, have played their way into the playoff discussion. Sort of. Each team would likely need to win out and get a fair amount of help to have a chance, but stranger things have certainly happened.
Related: NFL Standings - NFL Schedule - NFL Power Rankings
