Yesterday we took a look at my AFC playoff picks. Lets see how the NFC is going to play out.
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys Daves big upset pick
The demise of the Giants is moving along as predicted. The Commanders have won six of the last seven. The Cowboys only real blemishes this season are losses to the Bucs and Packers. They probably didnt get the memo that Brady and Rodgers suck this season. And the Eagles are the best team in the league so far. So, why do I think the Cowboys over the Eagles? They will have to beat the Eagles on Christmas Eve but I think they can; especially with Prescot back. They still have four games against AFC South teams, the second worst division in the league. And they should get some help from either the Titans or Saints. Its weird to think, but we could be looking at two 14-3 teams in the NFC North and the Cowboys should have the tiebreakers.
NFC North: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are the only team that showed up in the north this season. Minnesota wont clinch the division until week 15 despite the Lions being in second and five games behind. But they will clinch.
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I really want the Falcons to make a play for the division, but history has taught me not to pick against Tom Brady. So I wont.
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
The Rams and Cardinals are playing for draft picks at this point. (GO RAMS, lets get Detroit a quarterback!) The Seahawks have a slightly easier path than the 49ers but they have not looked good lately. The 49ers are on a four game winning streak. Combine that with their 4-0 record in the division and pretty much all they have to do at this point is 1. Not suck, and 2. Beat Seattle week 15.
NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia Eagles
Currently the best team in the league. Also in the best division in the league. As it stands now the NFC north is sending all 4 teams. The Giants will not make it but the Eagles will for sure. They might be able to hold on to the division title but as discussed earlier, I think the Cowboys nudge them out in tiebreakers. There is no doubt that Philly makes the playoffs.
NFC Wild Card: Washington Commanders
I dont know what is going on in Washington right now, but its working. They have won six of the last seven, only losing to Minnesota by a last second field goal. They still get two games against the Giants and have their bye week. Their only difficult opponent will be Dallas week 18. But, they shouldnt need to win that to get a wildcard spot.
NFC Wild Card: Seattle Seahawks
So who gets the third wild card spot? Which of the remaining teams can put nine wins together? We already know its not the Giants or Lions. The Giants are in an epic free fall and the Lions just dont have the wins available. For some reason Ive really wanted the Falcons to do well this season. But they cant seem to put two wins in a row so they would have to win the South (which might not be impossible with an 8-9 record) to make the playoffs. The Packers could win out and hit 9 wins but realistically they wont beat the Dolphins, Vikings, AND Lions. Hell, they might not even beat the Bears or Rams. I think we have to look to the west. The Seahawks and Cardinals both have a path to nine wins. And I would love for Arizona to sneak into the playoffs after such a terrible start but Seattle has the tiebreaker over them.
