NFC Wild Card standings after Week 8: Panthers on the prowl, trouble in Motown
For the time being, every NFL team has a shot at the Wild Card, but the window is narrowing.
In the NFL, every game on a 16 game schedule is meaningful. With the trade deadline near, parity has reared its ugly head and clouded what was destined to be a murky NFC Wildcard race.
Let’s go over them all from top to bottom.
The Race
5. Los Angeles Rams (5-3, +.5)
6. Carolina Panthers (5-3, — GB)
7. Atlanta Falcons (4-3, 0.5 GB)
8. Green Bay Packers (4-3, 0.5 GB)
9. Dallas Cowboys (4-3, 0.5 GB)
10. Detroit Lions (3-4, 1 GB)
11. Washington Redskins (3-4, 1 GB)
12. Arizona Cardinals (3-4, 1 GB)
13. Chicago Bears (3-4, 1 GB)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5, 2 GB)
15. New York Giants (1-6, 3 GB)
The Analysis
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are leading the charge, and remain in the mix for a division title. Right now Seattle owns a tiebreaker over Los Angeles, but there’s a chance to wipe that out later in the season. The success of the Rams is driven by a youth movement both in their coaching and player rosters.
They are a scrappy squad with playmakers on both sides of the ball. With arguably the best running back in the conference in Todd Gurley, the Rams can sneak up on anybody.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers two biggest strengths are also their biggest weaknesses. Quarterback Cam Newton has spent this season in his feelings and his play reflects that. Linebacker Luke Kuechly has an ongoing battle with concussions that is frightening to watch.
When either of them or worse both of them is not performing at a high level, the Panthers struggle to win if they win at all.
With a pair of narrow victories on the books, they could easily be 3-5 which is why Carolina is no sure thing when it comes to hanging onto the final Wild Card spot.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta snapped out of its three-game losing streak to stay alive in the NFC South division race.
Unlike Stella, the birds didn’t quite get their groove back against the New York Jets, but they did find a pair of explosive plays that put the game away for them.
If Atlanta continues to feed Julio Jones, regardless of coverage, they will win more battles than they will lose. That’s not rocket science, but it will certainly go a long way in reclaiming the lead in the division.
Green Bay Packers
Does it need to be said that Aaron Rodgers’ injury made the NFC North the land of the Vikings for the remainder of the year?
Mathematically speaking, Green Bay is in the playoff hunt for now. Prayers up, Brett Hundley. Let’s move on.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas, with some luck like Atlanta, could ascend up their division rankings and snatch the crown away from the Eagles.
Unlike Atlanta, they have a huge loss hanging over their heads to the Rams. When the Wild Card dust settles, that tiebreaking loss could come back to haunt them in the worst way. The Cowboys need to hope for a Rams collapse or a division title by one of the two because Dallas can’t afford to be tied with the Rams at the end of the season for the same Wild Card spot.
Noteworthy Thoughts
The Detroit Lions (3-4) have to get their red zone issues fixed or they will be chilling with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants in the basement very soon.
After being swept by the Eagles and taken down by the Cowboys, the Washington Redskins (3-4) are once again depending on other teams to lose or win to get into the tournament.