Here's a glimpse of the playoff picture in the NFC entering the regular season's final week. It's a little more muddled situation than the AFC, especially with the Bears' pulling out a win in Monday's game.
The New York Giants (12-3) have clinched the #1 seed with Sunday's victory over Carolina.
The NFC South champion (either Carolina or Atlanta) will be the #2 seed and have a first-round bye.
The Panthers (11-4) can secure the division with a win over New Orleans this weekend or if Atlanta (10-5) loses to St. Louis on Sunday. If the Falcons beat the Rams and Carolina loses, Atlanta gets the bye on the basis of a better conference record.
Minnesota (9-6) can clinch the NFC North by beating the Giants on Sunday or if Chicago (9-6) loses to Houston. The Vikings have the tiebreaker on the Bears by virtue of a better conference record (if both finish 10-6) or a better mark against common opponents (if both are 9-7).
NFC West champ Arizona (9-7) is locked into the #4 seed regardless of this weekend's play, as the Cardinals lost to the Vikings back in Week 15.
If the Panthers don't win the South, they will be no worse than a #5 seed. The Falcons can also clinch the first Wild Card with a victory on Sunday. However, if Atlanta loses and Dallas (9-6) beats Philadelphia, the Cowboys would be the #5 and the Falcons seeded sixth. Dallas would have a better conference record than Atlanta in that scenario.
The Cowboys will clinch a Wild Card berth if they beat the Eagles on Sunday, but are eliminated with a loss. Philadelphia (8-6-1) can still get the #6 seed with a win over Dallas combined with losses by both Tampa Bay (9-6) and either Chicago or Minnesota.
The Buccaneers need to beat Oakland this weekend and have the Eagles defeat the Cowboys to get in as the #6 seed. The Bears will make it as the final Wild Card (if Minnesota wins the Central) with a win on Sunday and losses by Tampa Bay and Dallas.
The Vikings cannot make the playoffs as a Wild Card if they lose to the Giants.
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6 comments:
In all honesty, what the Giants' game plan amounts to is a dedication not to get anybody injured. It is for this reason - and for nothing to gain by winning - that you might expect to see many of the regulars make an early exit.
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Will Tony Romo be eliminated from the Cowboys' roster - they need a good quarterback.
Should clone a Manning
No, I'd rather have a Roetheslisberger with cheese!
and a little ketchup ... Yeaaaahhhh!
You've got to get in the game, Hines Ward!!!!
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