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The NFC Playoff Picture



NFC South on a Roll

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This year, the NFC is a lot tougher, and better, compared to the AFC. There are many contenders with winning records, and every team is going to have to play well coming down the stretch. There are also plenty of matchups left that will decide how the NFC playoff picture changes. For example, this weekend, the Vikings will play the Falcons, the Panthers will play Saints, the Eagles will play the Seahawks, and the Cowboys already defeated the Redskins on Thursday night. All of these matchups will have major playoff implications, considering that all of the teams mentioned are in the playoff hunt. As of today, the NFC South would send three teams to the playoffs, with the Saints winning the division, the Panthers claiming the #5 seed and the Falcons as the #6 seed. The Seahawks, Lions, Cowboys, and Redskins are on the outside looking in. The Eagles can be the first team to lock up a playoff spot if they defeat the Seahawks this afternoon. 

On another note, tiebreakers will play a significant role in determining who receives a playoff berth. The Saints currently hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers, but this could change if the Panthers defeat them this weekend. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker over the Seahawks, Cowboys, Packers, and Lions because they have defeated all of them. The Panthers hold the tiebreaker over the Falcons, but they have to play each other again in Week 17. The Saints and Falcons have to play each other TWICE to close out the season. The Seahawks defeated the Rams in Week 5, so they currently hold the tiebreaker, but the Rams defeated the Saints. Also, the Rams still have to play the Eagles. 

Nothing is set in stone in the NFC, and a lot of dominoes still have to fall heading into the playoffs. 

Predictions for This Week's Games:
  1. Atlanta Falcons defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-24
  2. New Orleans Saints defeat the Carolina Panthers 23-17
  3. Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Seattle Seahawks 30-21
Predictions for Playoff Seeding:
  1. Philadelphia Eagles (14-2)
  2. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
  3. Los Angeles Rams (12-4)
  4. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
  5. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
  6. Carolina Panthers (10-6)
  7. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
  8. Detroit Lions (10-6)
  9. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
  10. Washington Redskins (8-8)
  11. Green Bay Packers (7-9)
  12. Arizona Cardinals (6-10)
(Only Top 6 make it to the playoffs.)

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