What the NFC playoff picture looks like after the Seahawks-Vikings Monday Night game
Teams on tight ropes and other teams are just a few quarters away from clinching playoff spots. Welcome to the NFC playoff picture in December.
Division leaders
1. New Orleans Saints (11-2, South), 2. Los Angeles Rams (11-2, West), 3. Chicago (9-4, North), 4. Dallas (8-5, South).
Breakdown: Saints get the No. 1 seed by virtue of their head-to-head win over the Rams. Those two are well-positioned to get first-round byes. A Vikings loss to the Seahawks on Monday Night Football practically wraps up the Bears for the division title. The surging Cowboys (five straight wins and 8-5) now have a two-game lead over Philadelphia and Washington with three games to play.
Seattle Seahawks (Record: 8-5)
After the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Minneosta Vikings, the vice grip is tightening on a NFC wild card spot and all signs point to a potential showdown with the NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys.
Upcoming schedule
at 49ers (3-10)
vs. Chiefs (11-2)
vs. Cardinals (4-9)
The Seahawks seem to be locked into the fifth seed at this point in the season. The only thing that would hurt their chances is a complete meltdown and someone catching fire to pass the Seahawks. The chances seem pretty slim for that, so Dallas-Seattle as the No. 4-No.5 NFC wild card is almost certain.
Minnesota Vikings (Record: 6-6-1)
Minnesota is an absolute mess right now, however they’re still in playoff contention and in fact still retain the No.6 seed after Week 14. If they’re going to reach the playoffs, they’ll be doing it without OC John DeFilippo who was fired on Tuesday morning. Not exactly trending in the right direction.
Upcoming schedule
vs. Dolphins (7-6)
at Lions (4-9)
vs. Bears (9-4)
The last spot in the NFC wild card really depends on if Minnesota can keep things together, is there someone consistent enough to pass them in the last three weeks of the season? Nobody has stepped up to the challenge yet.
Washington Redskins (Record: 6-7)
The good news: The Redskins have NOT been eliminated from the NFC playoff picture. Also, they’re going to be in the middle of a three-way dance with the Eagles and Vikings over the next few weeks.
The bad news: They do not control their own fate in this situation and Mark Sanchez is still the quarterback in Washington D.C.
Upcoming schedule
at Jaguars (4-9)
at Titans (7-6)
vs. Eagles (6-7)
The Jags and Titans aren’t bad for a battered Redskins team who seems to have not direction on offense. However, two wins in a row sets up a potential with the Philadelphia Eagles for the finals NFC playoff spot if they can get there.
Philadelphia Eagles (Record: 6-7)
Your reigning, defending and undisputed NFL World Champions….
... are officially in the danger zone. The loss to Dallas on Sunday was brutal and in more ways than one. Not only does Dallas hold the season sweep on you but now you’re in a three-way dance with the Vikings and Redskins for the final playoff spot.
Upcoming schedule
at Rams (11-2)
vs. Texans (9-4)
at Redskins (6-7)
Much like the Redskins and Vikings, the Eagles aren’t out of it but their road may be the toughest. The Eagles face off against one of the NFC’s best teams in Los Angeles, and Texans, who have hopes of getting the No. 2 playoff spot in the AFC. And they have to hope both Washington and Minnesota keeping fumbling down the stretch.
Carolina Panthers ( Record: 6-7)
Carolina’s playoff chances are currently slim and none and after Sunday’s loss to Cleveland, slim has packed the U-Haul and is headed out of town. The Panthers have a tightrope to walk in the NFC and it looks something like this…
Week 14
* Seattle defeats Minnesota (Which happened)
Week 15
* Beat New Orleans (11-2)
* Jacksonville defeats Washington and Miami defeats Minnesota.
Week 16
* Beat Atlanta (4-9)
Week 17
* Beat New Orleans (11-2)
Carolina has to make sure the ball bounces their way for three straight weeks AND beat one of the NFC’s best teams, the Saints, twice in three weeks.
Good luck.
This story was originally published December 10, 2018 at 3:51 PM.