NFC Playoff Picture: Bears gain ground, Bucs make late push for division

The NFC Playoff picture is far from over entering Week 16. 

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (11-3) might not have finished with a convincing win, but a win is one all the same. Rodgers threw this 40th touchdown on the season, became the first quarterback in league history to score 40 times or more in three different seasons.

The Packers also picked up the 24-16 victory at home against the Carolina Panthers to improve to 11-3.

Thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs holding off New Orleans in a 32-29 victory, Green Bay needs a win next week over Tennessee and for the Rams to defeat Seattle in order to claim the top spot. If not, the team can still clinch the top spot with a win in Week 17 over Chicago.

It’s looking like now the battle through the NFC will go through the frozen tundra, but what about the teams? Here’s where things become fun.

The NFC picture could change in the coming week

New Orleans fought hard, but everyone falters to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense. At 10-4, the Saints must pick up victories over Minnesota and Carolina, while hoping Green Bay loses out to secure the first-round bye.

More than that, another team is creeping up.

With back-to-back wins, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) are right on the Saints’ heels for the NFC South crown. It took a half to figure things out but Tom Brady and Antonio clicked for a 31-27 victory over Atlanta. Should the Saints lose out and Tampa win out, they would claim the division.

It’s a similar story in the NFC West. While the Seahawks (10-4) are back in the postseason, the division is still up for grabs between them and the Rams (9-5). If Los Angeles wins against the Seahawks in Week 16, they would own the season sweep. This would mean they’d claim the division if Seattle were to lose their final two games and finish 10-6.

Still, the Rams

lost to the freaking Jets

, so should they even be allowed in the playoff conversation?

Arizona kept ground as the No.7 seed despite lackluster play from Kyler Murray. Good thing the defense stepped or Jalen Hurts might just have found a way to win the NFC East. At 8-6, it guarantees a .500 season in the desert.

Believe it or not, the Bears are sticking around with Mitchell Trubisky under center. After sealing a win over the Minnesota Vikings, they improve to 7-7. If they win out and Arizona drops the final two, the Windy City franchise is back in the postseason.

Oh, the NFC East is still around, but it’s not going to be pretty no matter what. Here’s hoping the New York Giants can capitalize on Washington’s loss.

Cheers to crazy Week 16!