NFL Playoffs 2016: NFC Wild Card race Week 12
The NFC Wild Card race is the picture of parity, with all but 2 teams containing a realistic chance to win their way into the NFL Playoffs.
Week 11 is in the books outside of the Oakland Raiders vs. the Houston Texans game occurring in Mexico City. Every NFC team has now seen their bye week come and go, and most of their playoff hopes will be determined in the final 6 games of the season. Only the Cowboys and Seahawks seem to have playoff spots ensured, and with the way the NFL season has gone thus far, even they are not completely safe. Here are the current NFC Playoff standings, including the Wild Card.
As mentioned previously, the NFC East and West have clear leaders in the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks (although the Redskins and Giants may have something to say about the NFC East). The division races in the NFC North and South will play a large role in determining who ends in the Wild Card spots. The North will have an undisputed leader after the Thanksgiving Day matchup between the Lions and the Vikings. The Packers are lurking two games behind, but will be dangerous merely because Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback. The Falcons lead the NFC South by a game over the Buccaneers, but the Panthers and Saints are both talented enough to make a run at the division title from only two games back.
The NFC East is clearly the strongest division, especially in regard to record, and could easily claim both Wild Card spots when the season is over. The Giants have won 5 in a row with little attention because of the Cowboys current 9 game streak. The only thing that could hurt the Giants are losses to fellow Wild Card hopefuls Vikings and Packers. Redskins wins over the Vikings and Packers could be beneficial down the road, but their loss to the Lions could prove costly. The Eagles are a game a half back at 5-5, but own important victories over the Falcons and Vikings.
The NFC West looks like the Seahawks division to lose. The Rams and Cardinals both have Wild Cards hopes, but their light is dimmer than most other teams. Arizona has been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL, but have some chances to make up some ground with contests against the Falcons, Redskins, and Saints remaining on their schedule. The Rams don’t have the look of a good team on the field, but have a fighter’s chance. Losses to the Giants, Panthers, and Lions could hurt them if tiebreakers come into play.
Current NFC Playoff Picture
1. Dallas Cowboys (9-1)
2. Seattle Seahawks (7-2-1)
3. Detroit Lions (6-4)
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-4)
5. New York Giants (7-3)
6. Washington Redskins (6-3-1)
In the Hunt
7. Minnesota Vikings (6-4)
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
10. Arizona Cardinals (4-5-1)
11. New Orleans Saints (4-6)
12. Carolina Panthers (4-6)
13. Los Angeles Rams (4-6)
14. Green Bay Packers (4-6)
The NFC North will be a three team race down the stretch, as only the Bears seem out of reach. All three teams hold Wild Card possibilities as well. The Lions are the current division winner and look strong in a possible Wild Card race due to wins over the Eagles, Rams, and Redskins. The Vikings have lost 4 of their last 5 games after a hot start, but are still in a position lead their division after Thanksgiving. Wins over the Packers and Panthers could be useful, but losses to the Redskins and Eagles murk up the picture. The Packers are the longest shot from the North, but with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, they cannot be counted out. A win over the Giants could be huge, but recent losses to the Falcons and Redskins seem more likely to play a role.
The NFC South should be the most hotly contested division race, with all three teams within 2 games of each other. The Falcons have not played many potential Wild Card squads outside of their division, but a loss against the Eagles could prove costly should they lose their division lead. The Buccaneers are surprisingly only a game behind the Falcons, but they do not own a significant Wild Card win outside of their division. The Saints still hold on to hope, but like the Packers and Rams before them, their chances are slimmer than most. If they do find their way into the race, a loss to the Giants could hurt. The Panthers run a close race for most disappointing team with the Cardinals, but key wins over the Cardinals and Rams recently will strengthen their tiebreaker resume.
Overall, the NFC Wild Card race is a jumbled mess of teams who have all beaten and lost to each other. The Giants, Redskins, Lions, Falcons, Eagles and Vikings have positioned themselves better than the other 6 teams, but the talented Panthers, Packers, and Cardinals could turn things around and place some pressure. The Buccaneers, Rams, and Saints still have hope, but their flaws may be too large to overcome.