The NFC Playoff Picture is Wild (1 Viewer)

[Scoresman]

The playoff race in the NFC is one I don't remember seeing before.

The Bears currently hold the 1 spot, but if they lose, they could shoot down to 7. They still have to play GB twice, the Lions and 49ers. But they could lose out and still make the playoffs. They are the 1 seed, but have the lowest overall odds to make the playoffs of the 7 team field.

The 49ers, who currently hold the 7 spot, will automatically leapfrog the GB/CHI loser, while on their Bye week. If LAR and SEA both lose they would be the 2 seed, again while on their Bye Week.

Also, for both conferences, the lowest seeded wild card team is at least 8-4. That seems nuts to me.

A lot of people are saying the NFL product continues to be weak this year, but this playoff race is wild.

 

[BlackCrowes]

it is crazy. i still think the Rams are the best team after yesterday. I also think the Cowboys get in. They are peaking at the right time.

 

[Jewell]

The AFC playoff race is wild too.

In the AFC North, with both the Ravens and Steelers faltering, there's a chance the Bengals, who people left for dead, could still win the division; and there's a chance the AFC North champ will have a losing record.

In the AFC South, with the Colts receding, both the Jags and Texans are suddenly in contention to win the division; and the Colts, who looked like the league's dominant team during the first half of the season, potentially could miss the playoffs if their slide continues.

And the AFC's dominant team of the past several seasons, the Chiefs, are currently on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.

This is a wild playoff race in both conferences, and it makes these final few weeks and the NFL season on the whole pretty fun.

 

[Gally]

The Bears currently hold the 1 spot, but if they lose, they could shoot down to 7.

Last year the Vikings lost week 18 and went from the #1 seed if they won to the #5 seed when they lost. When stuff is bunched up a loss really, really hurts.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

As I wrote in the MNF game thread...

National Football Conference

East
Philly 8-4
Dallas 6-5-1

North
Chicago 9-3
GreenBay 8-3-1
Detroit 7-5

South
Tampa Bay 7-5
Carolins 7-6

West
LA Rams 9-3
Seattle 9-3
San Fran 9-4

10 teams, 7 spots, a couple of good football teams are going to miss the Playoffs
The Bears schedule is brutal the rest of the way
The North could easily end up Chicago 11-6, Green Bay 10-6-1, Detroit 10-7...
Bucs will likely take the North even with a split against Carolina, rest of the game are fairly easy, they should end up 11-6, host a Playoff game, Panthers will finish 9-8
The West could see the LA Rams 13-4, Seattle 12-5, San Fran 11-6 and all three teams make the Playoffs
Last spot will come down to Green Bay, Detroit and Dallas as Philly will do enough to win the East.

 

[rschroeder1]

Bears fan here - in regard to pursuit for the #1 seed, Chicago does have a tough schedule, but so do the Rams.

LA hosts Detroit and then at Seattle in the span of five days - if Seattle defeats Atlanta this upcoming week, the Seahawks could lose to the Colts and in Week 15 and still takeover first place with a win over the Rams in Week 16. With Detroit fighting for its playoff life, no cakewalk for LA.

With that in mind, the Bears can probably afford one loss in their last five games and still have a shot for the top seed. It's possible Detroit is eliminated for the Week 18 matchup, so capturing one win against Green Bay will be critical.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Imagine Philly drops another one this coming weekend in Los Angeles even though it should feel like a home game for them
Dallas beats Detroit and then just a half game separates them for the final month

 

[Leroy Hoard]

A lot of people are saying the NFL product continues to be weak this year, but this playoff race is wild.

Some fans are more comfortable with dynasties. Personally I love the added mix of teams, makes things less predictable.

 

[Scoresman]

A lot of people are saying the NFL product continues to be weak this year, but this playoff race is wild.

Some fans are more comfortable with dynasties. Personally I love the added mix of teams, makes things less predictable.

I agree. Only thing I dont like is that it opens up playoff contests to even more random chance.

 

[Jppaul]

the three best teams in the NFL are lead by second year QBs

 

[QuizGuy66]

The Bears currently hold the 1 spot, but if they lose, they could shoot down to 7.

Last year the Vikings lost week 18 and went from the #1 seed if they won to the #5 seed when they lost. When stuff is bunched up a loss really, really hurts.

Maybe NBC will get its dream of a team being the #1 seed with a win and being out with a loss on the last night of the season

-QG

 

[Golden Gopher]

Seems like it's wide open on both sides simultaneously like it hasn't been in many years. Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago that the Chiefs were the odds on favorite to represent the AFC in the SB despite being technically out of the playoffs at that point (they were considered "in the hunt" at 4-5). Several teams in a position where they could easily have a home game, but could also miss the playoffs entirely. And, some teams being talked about as dangerous or likely to make a run who currently aren't in the top 7 in their conference (HOU and DAL, for example).

Should be interesting. Most years, I feel like there are about a half-dozen teams who can win it all, give or take. This year, it seems like there are more than that in the NFC alone.

 

[rschroeder1]

Seems like it's wide open on both sides simultaneously like it hasn't been in many years. Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago that the Chiefs were the odds on favorite to represent the AFC in the SB despite being technically out of the playoffs at that point (they were considered "in the hunt" at 4-5). Several teams in a position where they could easily have a home game, but could also miss the playoffs entirely. And, some teams being talked about as dangerous or likely to make a run who currently aren't in the top 7 in their conference (HOU and DAL, for example).

Should be interesting. Most years, I feel like there are about a half-dozen teams who can win it all, give or take. This year, it seems like there are more than that in the NFC alone.

This year there seem to be more teams with both very definable strengths and definable flaws. I think that makes things fun on a week-to-week basis - you know there's a range of outcomes with each critical game.

 

[Gally]

the three best teams in the NFL are lead by second year QBs

I would disagree those are the three "best" teams in the NFL even though may have the three best records.

 

[GreenNGold]

I think this is a weird year where there isn't a truly dominant team in either conference, but the NFC is especially close. Every single team has shown weakness at some point, even the teams with good records. Almost every playoff game could be a coin toss, and any team that makes the playoffs should have more of a chance to get to the superbowl (as compared to most years), should be exciting to watch!

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

It’s the 7th playoff spot, it warps everything.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The AFC playoff race is wild too.

In the AFC North, with both the Ravens and Steelers faltering, there's a chance the Bengals, who people left for dead, could still win the division; and there's a chance the AFC North champ will have a losing record.

In the AFC South, with the Colts receding, both the Jags and Texans are suddenly in contention to win the division; and the Colts, who looked like the league's dominant team during the first half of the season, potentially could miss the playoffs if their slide continues.

And the AFC's dominant team of the past several seasons, the Chiefs, are currently on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.

This is a wild playoff race in both conferences, and it makes these final few weeks and the NFL season on the whole pretty fun.

That the Bengals could win their division is awesome to me. Let it be so.

 

[Jppaul]

I think this is a weird year where there isn't a truly dominant team in either conference, but the NFC is especially close. Almost every playoff game could be a coin toss, and any team that makes the playoffs should have more of a chance to get to the superbowl (as compared to most years), should be exciting to watch!

when was the last time the NFL was so wide open?

 

[GreenNGold]

I think this is a weird year where there isn't a truly dominant team in either conference, but the NFC is especially close. Almost every playoff game could be a coin toss, and any team that makes the playoffs should have more of a chance to get to the superbowl (as compared to most years), should be exciting to watch!

when was the last time the NFL was so wide open?

It's been so long I can't recall, must be pre-Brady?

 

[Golden Gopher]

The AFC playoff race is wild too.

In the AFC North, with both the Ravens and Steelers faltering, there's a chance the Bengals, who people left for dead, could still win the division; and there's a chance the AFC North champ will have a losing record.

In the AFC South, with the Colts receding, both the Jags and Texans are suddenly in contention to win the division; and the Colts, who looked like the league's dominant team during the first half of the season, potentially could miss the playoffs if their slide continues.

And the AFC's dominant team of the past several seasons, the Chiefs, are currently on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.

This is a wild playoff race in both conferences, and it makes these final few weeks and the NFL season on the whole pretty fun.

That the Bengals could win their division is awesome to me. Let it be so.

Agreed. The longer Burrow and Company have something to play for, the better.

 

[fred_1_15301]

the three best teams in the NFL are lead by second year QBs

Disagree. Stafford is pretty old.