If the playoffs turn out the way that we anticipate them, then this could be one of the most competitive postseasons that we've seen in the NFC in a long time. From the top spot in the playoffs to the #6 seed you'll be able to find strength in every team. The NY Giants currently are the frontrunners for locking up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. However, is their schedule the rest of the way too tough? Read below to find out.
NFC East
| Remaining Schedule: @Phi, Bal, @Ari, Was, Phi, @Dal, Car, @Min The New York Giants have potentially the most difficult road schedule the rest of the way with games at Philadelphia, Arizona, Dallas, and Minnesota. However, this teams runs the ball well enough and plays such good defense that I think they'll be able to win at least one of those road games. Plus, I think they'll win each of their final four home games to finish at 12-4 and gain control of homefield advantage throughout the postseason. Current Record - 7-1 / Projected Finish - 12-4 |
| Remaining Schedule: Dal, @Sea, NYG, @Bal, @Cin, Phi, @SF The Washington Redskins will notch one of the two Wildcard spots if they can go 5-2 the rest of the way. The good news for Skins fans is that all of their toughest games are at home, while their easier games are on the road. If the Skins can beat the Giants they may have an outside shot at snatching the homefield advantage away from New York. However, one or two slip-ups, including a loss against Philadelphia in the second to last week of the season could be fatal. Current Record - 6-3 / Projected Finish - 11-5 |
| Remaining Schedule: NYG, @Cin, @Bal, Ari, @NYG, Cle, @Was, Dal The Philadelphia Eagles are in position to make the playoffs at the halfway point. I know running back Brian Westbrook appears to be healthy finally, but I'm skeptical as to whether he can remain healthy the rest of the way. Let's face it, the Eagles are just a completely different team when Westbrook is in the lineup. I like Philadelphia to get to ten wins, but unfortunately I think they're going to wind up as the first team out when the dust settles. Current Record - 5-3 / Projected Finish - 10-6 |
| Remaining Schedule: Bye, @Was, SF, Sea, @Pit, NYG, Bal, @Phi The Dallas Cowboys have been the biggest disappointment by far this season. The Cowboys were one of the early favorites behind the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. However, now everyone's asking whether this team can make the playoffs? I realize the loss of quarterback Tony Romo has been huge, but this team has so many defensive problems that I just don't see them coming out it in time to make a run for the playoffs. Current Record - 5-4 / Projected Finish - 9-7 |
NFC North
| Remaining Schedule: @Min, Chi, @NO, Car, Hou, @Jac, @Chi, Det The Green Bay Packers will still make the playoffs this season, despite the loss of Madden coverboy Brett Favre. New starter Aaron Rodgers has stepped right in and played much better than I ever thought possible. The Packers have the offense and the defense to beat anyone. i'm rolling the dice a little bit with this call, but I just feel that the Packers are the most complete team at this point with a very manageable schedule the rest of the way. Current Record - 4-4 / Projected Finish - 9-7 |
| Remaining Schedule: GB, @TB, @Jac, Chi, @Det, @Ari, Atl, NYG The Minnesota Vikings have been much more consistent under the direction of quarterback Gus Frerotte on offense. As solid as Frerotte's been, I just don't think this team has quite enough firepower to win the division. Another looming question mark for this team will be defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams' availability late in the season due to steroid allegations. In the end, I think the Vikings will fall a game short of moving on. Current Record - 4-4 / Projected Finish - 8-8 |
| Remaining Schedule: Ten, @GB, @Stl, @Min, Jac, NO, GB, @Hou I would've said that the Chicago Bears are the favorites to win this division if you had asked me a week ago. Unfortunately, the loss of starting quarterback Kyle Orton has to raise some serious questions about the next few weeks with Rex Grossman now filling in. To make matters worse, the Bears' schedule has them facing Tennessee, Green Bay, and Minnesota over the next four week period. Without Orton under center against those type of opponents I just don't see how they win two games. The Bears are a dangerous team, but they can clearly be tamed without Orton. Current Record - 5-3 / Projected Finish - 8-8 |
| Remaining Schedule: Jac, @Car, TB, Ten, Min, @Ind, NO, GB The Detroit Lions are one of the few teams that have lived up to their fans' expectations this season. I don't know anyone who thought the Lions would be in the playoffs, but even I am a bit surprised that a team in this era of football can go winless for an eight game stretch. I'm calling the first win of the season for the Detroit against Tampa Bay in three weeks. I might have said this week, but I just don't see how new starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper can come right in and lead a team of this calibur to a win by using 2% of the playbook. Current Record - 0-8 / Projected Finish - 1-15 |
NFC South
| Remaining Schedule: @Oak, Det, @Atl, @GB, TB, Den, @NYG, @NO The Carolina Panthers should win at least five of their final eight games on their way to the NFC South division title. This team has enough offense and defense to make a run in the playoffs. Also, they could potentially make a run at homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. However, the deciding factor on that could come down to whoever wins the game between New York and Carolina in the second to last week of the season. I give the edge in that game to the Giants, but expect the Panthers to get back to the playoffs once again as a dangerous threat. Current Record - 6-2 / Projected Finish - 11-5 |
| Remaining Schedule: @Atl, @KC, GB, @TB, Atl, @Chi, @Det, Car The New Orleans Saints are the most exciting team in the NFL in my opinion. No one can stop them on offense and they can't stop anyone on defense. Still, I like the Saints to finish out the season 6-2 and grab the sixth and final playoff spot now that they are finally starting to get healthy. Tight end Jeremy Shockey and wide receiver Marques Colston are now back, but they won't be entirely healthy until running back Reggie Bush returns in week 11 or 12. The Saints defense is still the question mark, but I'm guessing it will be good enough the rest of the way to get enough wins to slide in. Current Record - 4-4 / Projected Finish - 10-6 |
| Remaining Schedule: Bye, Min, @Det, NO, @Car, @Atl, SD, Oak The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly have the ability to make the playoffs with a 6-3 start out of the gate. However, the Bucs seem to play almost everyone close and my guess is they'll end up losing a game along the way that they shouldn't to prevent them from making the playoffs. Tampa Bay has impressive wins against Chicago, Green Bay, and even a lopsided victory over Carolina. Still, this team just never really seems to impress when you watch them. I really have no reason for why Tampa won't make the playoffs, but I'm just going to have to go with my gut and say tey're out. Current Record - 6-3 / Projected Finish - 10-6 |
| Remaining Schedule: NO, Den, Car, @SD, @NO, TB, @Min, Stl The Atlanta Falcons have been a great story this season, but this team isn't going to the playoffs. Still, I do think this team is good enough to finish above .500 and make some serious noise next season. Both running back Michael Turner and quarterback Matt Ryan have proved to be great additions to this franchise, potentially creating a foundation for success for year's to come. I like the Falcons to remain competitive, but ultimately lose a couple key games down the stretch to prevent them from making the playoffs. Current Record - 5-3 / Projected Finish - 9-7 |
NFC West
| Remaining Schedule: SF, @Sea, NYG, @Phi, Stl, Min, @NE, Sea The Arizona Cardinals have finally put themselves in position to easily win the NFC West division. The Cardinals have had the talent for a couple years now to get it done, but the talent among the other teams in the division was just as good. Fortunately, Arizona has gotten even better and every other team in the division has either taken a step backwards or been hampered by injuries. The Cardinals can play under .500 ball the rest of the way and expect to take this division down with ease. The only questions remains whether Warner can bring some of his playoff magic back for a second time. Current Record - 5-3 / Projected Finish - 10-6 |
| Remaining Schedule: @NYJ, @SF, Chi, Mia, @Ari, Sea, SF, @Atl The St. Louis Rams are my pick to finish second in the NFC West because they appear to be the only team starting to make some progress (excluding last week's game against Arizona). Steven Jackson is going to be out another week or two, but rookie receiver Donnie Avery may have already become the most dangerous deep threat in the division. The Rams are still a long way away, but they're my pick to finish second among three terrible teams. Current Record - 2-6 / Projected Finish - 6-10 |
| Remaining Schedule: @Mia, Ari, Was, @Dal, NE, @Stl, NYJ, @Ari The Seattle Seahawks' season never even got started. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and wide receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram have been hurt for almost the entire first half of the season. Branch and Engram are just now starting to et healthy, but Hasselbeck remains hobbled. Seneca Wallace is filling in at quarterback for now and the Seahawks seem to be playing a little better with win over the 49ers at San Fran. However, I can't see Seattle winning more than four games total. Current Record - 2-6 / Projected Finish - 4-12 |
| Remaining Schedule: @Ari, Stl, @Dal, @Buf, NYJ, @Mia, @Stl, Was The San Francisco 49ers started 2-1 and have lost five games straight. They're switched quarterbacks twice this season, and have now just switched coaches. The 49ers still have one of the top five running backs in the league in Frank Gore, but this team has taken giant steps backwards after an encouraging start. Current Record - 2-6 / Projected Finish - 4-12 |
