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2016 NFC Playoff Picture: Week 15

By Brad Berreman

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Week 15 set to start Thursday night, here’s a look at the NFC playoff picture right now.

The Dallas Cowboys (11-2) have clinched a playoff spot and the Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1) are on track to win their division, but outside of that the NFC postseason picture is cloudy heading into Week 15.

The Seahawks will take on the Los Angeles Rams Thursday night, and win or lose they could clinch the NFC West by the end of Sunday’s action.

Let’s take a look at the entire NFC playoff race, starting with the division leaders.

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (11-2) A second loss this season to the New York Giants last Sunday night kept the Cowboys from clinching the division, while turning up the heat on the conversation about Tony Romo taking over for Dak Prescott. But as of now, Dallas is in the driver’s seat for home field advantage in the NFC.

NFC North: Detroit Lions (9-4) The Lions still have a two-game lead in the NFC North, but quarterback Matthew Stafford’s finger injury and a tough final three games makes that lead very vulnerable.

NFC West: Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1) As previously mentioned, Seattle can beat the Rams Thursday night and clinch the division. If they lose to a team that has given them fits in recent years, the Seahawks can still clinch a division title if the Arizona Cardinals lose on Sunday.

NFC West: Atlanta Falcons (8-5) The Falcons are in a tie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the division lead, with only a better win percentage in common games giving them the edge right now.

Wild Card Contenders: New York Giants (9-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5), Washington Redskins (7-5-1), Minnesota Vikings (7-6), Green Bay Packers (7-6), Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1), New Orleans Saints (5-8), Carolina Panthers (5-8), Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)

Next: NFL Week 15: Staff picks and predictions

Key Games in the NFC Playoff Picture In Week 15 (Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted)
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (Thursday night)
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears-1 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings- 1 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions at New York Giants- 1 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens- 1 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons- 4:05 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals- 4:05 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday night)
Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins (Monday night)

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