Yesterday we took a look at who is headed to the AFC postseason. There is a lot of competition in the AFC. The NFC is a little more decided at this point. Lets see who will be looking to go to the Super Bowl!
NFC East – Eagles
The Cowboys are probably the 3rd best NFC team right now. Unfortunately they are in the same division as the Eagles, who are easily the best team. Of the teams vying for the playoffs in the NFC, the Cowboys have by far the hardest remaining schedule. I do think theyre up to the task and will probably end the season 12-5 but the Eagles are going to go at least 13-4, perhaps even 16-1.
NFC North – Lions
The Lions are likely going to win the North. Though, it will require at least one win over the Vikings. Interestingly, the Packers have the easiest remaining schedule in the North. But, theyre already three games behind the Lions and there isnt enough time to make up that big of a deficit. Im not going to lie, I am worried about the Lions. They have not looked good the last few games. Barely winning against the Chargers and Bears and then blowing the Thanksgiving game against Green Bay. And I really dont want it to be a “Well, they have enough of a lead” type situation. Look how well that worked out for the Vikings last year. They got blown out wildcard week. Hopefully they can get the defense back in line and actually start winning again instead of just surviving games.
NFC South – Falcons
Ill just say this, the 1-10 Panthers could still win this division. And they dont even need to win out. What happened to the NFC south. There were years, very recently, where we were trying to figure out which of these teams wasnt going to make the playoffs. Im going with the Falcons, not because I think they are the best team necessarily (there is no best team, theyre all the worst) but because they have the easiest remaining schedule. Also, they are undefeated in the division with a win over all three teams already.
NFC West – 49ers
Im not sure what happened to the Seahawks mid season and its probably too early to call the Rams good again but either way, neither of them are going to catch the 49ers. San Francisco still has to play my Super Bowl picks, the Eagles and Ravens, but even if they lose both of those the other four games shouldnt be too much trouble. Seatlle and L.A. better hope the wildcard race stays the mess it is right now.
Wildcard – Cowboys, Rams, Packers
Short of a total disaster, the Cowboys are going to make the postseason. As I said earlier, theyre a top three team in the NFC. The rest of the wildcard race, oh boy, thats going to be interesting. Technically the Bears, Giants, or Commanders could fall into the postseason, but we all know they wont. This weeks power rankings indicate that the Seahawks and Vikings are the next best teams in the NFC. But looking at the remaining schedule I dont think they make it. Its going to take nine wins and some tiebreakers to make the postseason in a wildcard spot. The Rams already have the tiebreaker over the Seahawks and the Packers can tie things up with the Vikings. On top of that, I dont think Minnesota has three wins left in their schedule. Not to mention the Seahawks who have by far the hardest remaining schedule of the four. Whats going to be extra interesting is the Lions may just be playing to put the Packers into the post season week 18.
