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It may be a bit premature but let's consider the fact that already 3 teams have locked up their Divisions, there's only 3 weeks left of the regular season, and hey..."everyone else is doing it."
WHO'S IN
- Dallas 12-1
*Already clinched the EAST, well on their way to homefield as well.
- Green Bay 11-2
*Clinched the NORTH, can clinch #1 spot if Dallas loses 2 and the Pack can win 3.
- Seattle 9-4
*The Cardinals are in 2nd of the WEST at 6-7, but there's no way Seattle doesn't win the crown with a 5-1 divisional record.
- Tampa Bay 8-5
*At 4-0 in the division, Tampa's next win should clinch them the SOUTH crown.
IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN DESTINY
- New York 9-4
*The Giants need to basically win 1 more game to capture the Wild Card spot, given how bad the rest of the NFC is.
- Minnesota 7-6
*The Vikings desperately need to win their final 3, winning their final 2 with some loses by other is also possible.
NEED HELP
- Arizona 6-7
- Detroit 6-7
- Washington 6-7
*The story is pretty much the same for all 3 above, who will be looking to win their final 3 games of the season and watching the Vikings with a close eye. Should the Giants also lose their final 2 or 3 games, another door may open up.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
- New Orleans 5-7
*A win over Atlanta tomorrow moves them up a notch, but the Saints still need to win out.
- Carolina 5-8
- Philadephia 5-8
- Chicago 5-8
*At 5-8, all 3 teams need a miracle to make the playoffs with an even record. Most likely say goodbye to each after Week 17.
AE's Analysis - At this point, I do not see Dallas faltering enough to lose out on the top spot in the NFC. Philadelphia could pose a challenge for the Cowboys but I expect 2 more wins to come from playing on the road in Carolina and Washington. Green Bay should hold steady and finish strong with a very favorable schedule that has them playing the Rams, Bears, and Lions...2 of which are at "The Tundra".
Both Seattle and Tampa are in charge of some pretty mediocre to bad play in perhaps the NFL's weakest divisions in 2008, so the question is really what team locks up the 3-spot in the post-season? Looking ahead, Seattle plays 2 of their final 3 on the road (at Car, Bal, at Atl) and with an even record on the road. Tampa, on the other hand, plays 2 of their final 3 at home (Atl, at SF, Car). I give the Bucs the edge thanks to their impressive 5-1 record at home and given that 2 of their final 3 games are against divisional opponents, where they are undefeated in 2008.
I don't see any reason why the Giants shouldn't take 1 of the 2 remaining spots in the playoffs. Playing Washington at home next week should be a win and at Buffalo the week after brings them to 11 wins. Week 17 against a potential unbeaten New England, at home, is where things get interesting...but 11-5 will be plenty for the "G-Men."
Call it "favorable" and "impartial" if you like but the Vikings are my pick for the final NFC spot. Playing "red hot" football right now, the Vikings are coming off 4 straight wins and have the 2 things you want in a playoff team: the ability to run and the ability to stop the run. The Vikings' run defense is so good that it forces teams to pass. Minnesota has also been much improved at stopping the pass in recent weeks, even without Antoine Winfield who finally came off the sidelines this week. The Vikings have a so-so schedule to finish out the year against 3 opponents with losing records (Chi, Was, Den) however all 3 opponents will be tough games to win. The Vikings play 2 of their final 3 at home, where they are 4-2 for the season, and against both the Redskins and Bears who have struggled with issues at quarterback all season long. Even at 9-7, Minnesota pleases this loyal fan with a trip to the post-season.
AE's NFC PLAYOFF BRACKET
- #6 Minnesota @ #3 Tampa Bay
- #5 New York @ #4 Seattle
- #1 Dallas = First Round Bye + Homefield
- #2 Green Bay = First Round Bye
WHO'S IN
- Dallas 12-1
*Already clinched the EAST, well on their way to homefield as well.
- Green Bay 11-2
*Clinched the NORTH, can clinch #1 spot if Dallas loses 2 and the Pack can win 3.
- Seattle 9-4
*The Cardinals are in 2nd of the WEST at 6-7, but there's no way Seattle doesn't win the crown with a 5-1 divisional record.
- Tampa Bay 8-5
*At 4-0 in the division, Tampa's next win should clinch them the SOUTH crown.
IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN DESTINY
- New York 9-4
*The Giants need to basically win 1 more game to capture the Wild Card spot, given how bad the rest of the NFC is.
- Minnesota 7-6
*The Vikings desperately need to win their final 3, winning their final 2 with some loses by other is also possible.
NEED HELP
- Arizona 6-7
- Detroit 6-7
- Washington 6-7
*The story is pretty much the same for all 3 above, who will be looking to win their final 3 games of the season and watching the Vikings with a close eye. Should the Giants also lose their final 2 or 3 games, another door may open up.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
- New Orleans 5-7
*A win over Atlanta tomorrow moves them up a notch, but the Saints still need to win out.
- Carolina 5-8
- Philadephia 5-8
- Chicago 5-8
*At 5-8, all 3 teams need a miracle to make the playoffs with an even record. Most likely say goodbye to each after Week 17.
AE's Analysis - At this point, I do not see Dallas faltering enough to lose out on the top spot in the NFC. Philadelphia could pose a challenge for the Cowboys but I expect 2 more wins to come from playing on the road in Carolina and Washington. Green Bay should hold steady and finish strong with a very favorable schedule that has them playing the Rams, Bears, and Lions...2 of which are at "The Tundra".
Both Seattle and Tampa are in charge of some pretty mediocre to bad play in perhaps the NFL's weakest divisions in 2008, so the question is really what team locks up the 3-spot in the post-season? Looking ahead, Seattle plays 2 of their final 3 on the road (at Car, Bal, at Atl) and with an even record on the road. Tampa, on the other hand, plays 2 of their final 3 at home (Atl, at SF, Car). I give the Bucs the edge thanks to their impressive 5-1 record at home and given that 2 of their final 3 games are against divisional opponents, where they are undefeated in 2008.
I don't see any reason why the Giants shouldn't take 1 of the 2 remaining spots in the playoffs. Playing Washington at home next week should be a win and at Buffalo the week after brings them to 11 wins. Week 17 against a potential unbeaten New England, at home, is where things get interesting...but 11-5 will be plenty for the "G-Men."
Call it "favorable" and "impartial" if you like but the Vikings are my pick for the final NFC spot. Playing "red hot" football right now, the Vikings are coming off 4 straight wins and have the 2 things you want in a playoff team: the ability to run and the ability to stop the run. The Vikings' run defense is so good that it forces teams to pass. Minnesota has also been much improved at stopping the pass in recent weeks, even without Antoine Winfield who finally came off the sidelines this week. The Vikings have a so-so schedule to finish out the year against 3 opponents with losing records (Chi, Was, Den) however all 3 opponents will be tough games to win. The Vikings play 2 of their final 3 at home, where they are 4-2 for the season, and against both the Redskins and Bears who have struggled with issues at quarterback all season long. Even at 9-7, Minnesota pleases this loyal fan with a trip to the post-season.
AE's NFC PLAYOFF BRACKET
- #6 Minnesota @ #3 Tampa Bay
- #5 New York @ #4 Seattle
- #1 Dallas = First Round Bye + Homefield
- #2 Green Bay = First Round Bye