The NFC has given us some fantastic races this year in each division, a sort of Christmas-come-early for NFL fans. Unlike most seasons where a few divisions are salted away in November, 2014 has been a fight all the way. Even the NFC South is providing us with some high drama, if not for some laughing along the way.
Through 13 weeks, this is how the playoff picture stacks up in the NFC:
1. Arizona Cardinals (9-3)
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-3)
4. Atlanta Falcons (5-7)
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-4)
6. Detroit Lions (8-4)
In the hunt
7. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)
8. San Francisco 49ers (7-5)
9. New Orleans Saints (5-7)
Alright, let’s get to the tiebreakers. The Cardinals are still the top seed despite losing their last two games because of conference record over the Packers, and head-to-head against the Eagles. The Packers also win the head-to-head tiebreak against Philadelphia, making them the second seed.
In the wild-card tiebreaker, Seattle is ahead of Detroit based on record in common games, while the Lions beat out Dallas via conference games. Even though the Seahawks lost to the Cowboys straight up, the three-way tie forces the league to look at conference record to break the deadlock. Yeah, the NFL can be a circus and perhaps an unfair one at times.
While Arizona still holds the top seed, it could be in serious trouble. The Cardinals play host to the Kansas City Chiefs this week, a team which ranks first against the pass. With Drew Stanton and an injured Andre Ellington, Arizona could fall. Should the Cardinals lose and Seattle beats Philadelphia, they would tumble to the fifth seed.
Speaking of the Eagles, a win against the Seahawks would almost assure them the NFC East title. Even if the Cowboys topple the Bears on Thursday Night Football, they would only stay a game back with Philadelphia holding the breakers. Should Dallas beat Philadelphia next week to pull even, the Eagles still win the tiebreak via division record. At that point, the Eagles would merely have to beat the Redskins and Giants to wrap things up.
In the North, Green Bay appears primed to take the crown. The Packers play the Falcons, Bills and Buccaneers the next three weeks before hosting the Lions in Week 17. It is tough to see Green Bay slipping up with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, but Detroit will have its shot.
The South is a mess, but the Saints hold the inside track despite being in second place. New Orleans hosts the Panthers this week before playing at Chicago, hosting the Falcons and then traveling to take on the Buccaneers. Atlanta will likely have to beat the Saints in the Superdome to make the postseason.
In the West, Arizona remains a game up on Seattle and is two ahead of the struggling 49ers. San Francisco draws the Raiders on the road this week before visiting the Seahawks. Seattle has the toughest docket remaining, going to Philadelphia before hosting the 49ers, going to Arizona in Week 16 and playing at home against the Rams.
The Cardinals take on the Chiefs on Sunday, then visit the Rams, host the Seahawks and travel to San Francisco. In other words, nothing is settled in the tough NFC West. Should Seattle beat the Eagles, we could have a showdown Week 16 for all the marbles between the Cardinals and Seahawks.
Alright, that is where we stand. Hopefully you have some Advil on hand if you root for one of these teams in contention, because this playoff picture is anything but clear and likely going to get crazier.
