(Image credit Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mullick-354076184/
Playoffs are getting closer and closer with each week that passes. Now there is plenty of football left to be played but again it is crunch time for some teams. So until the playoffs hit I will continue to update the current playoff picture for both the AFC and NFC. For this article, I will dive into the NFC.
Playoff Key
X- Clinched Playoff Spot
Y - Clinched Division
Z- Clinched 1st Round Bye
Division Winners (Seed 1-4)
1. Y - Green Bay Packers (12-4)
The Packers still hold strong with the first seed in the NFC. This is their version of the last dance as Aaron Rodgers won’t be here for next season. So the Packers are all in to win the Super Bowl this season.
2. X - Los Angeles Rams (12-4)
The Los Angeles Rams are one of the strongest teams in the league and should take the NFC West division if they beat the San Francisco 49ers or the Arizona Cardinals lose to the Seattle Seahawks.
3. Y - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)
Buccaneers are in the running for the 1st seed. But I'd be shocked that the Buccaneers do especially as they will be distracted due to the Antonio Brown Meltdown resulting from his release.
UPDATE: So apparently Antonio Brown is not released as of now. This all but confuses me as he is a big distraction to the locker room and there is no excuse for what he did vs the New York Jets. I just again hope that Antonio Brown gets the help that he needs.
4. Y - Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
The Dallas Cowboys don’t have much to play for this week except for bragging rights against the Philadelphia Eagles. But It will be interesting how they handle this game.
Wildcard Teams (Seed 5-7)
5. X - Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
Cardinals still have an opportunity to regain the division but need the Rams to lose against the San Francisco 49ers. But if not they can easily rest players for the playoffs. I am concerned with the coaching as Kliff Kingsbury is not that good of a coach at the end of the season.
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-7)
Believe it or not, the 49ers have not officially clinched a playoff berth yet. They need to win against the Los Angeles Rams or the Saints lose to the Falcons in order for them to clinch a playoff berth.
7. X - Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles as they have officially clinched a playoff spot. The future like I say is bright for the present now that they are a playoff team. Plus the Eagles have three 1st round picks in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft.
In the hunt
8. New Orleans Saints (8-8)
The New Orleans Saints are not completely out of it yet. They still have a chance to make the playoffs for this season. They need to win against the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers lose to the Los Angeles Rams in order to make the playoffs.
Eliminated From Playoff Contention
9. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
With the Vikings now being eliminated from the playoffs, they are now on the Tank for a higher draft pick.
10. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
With the Falcons now being eliminated from the playoffs, they are now on the Tank for a higher draft pick.
11. Washington Football Team (6-10)
With the Washington Football Team now being eliminated from the playoffs, they are now on the Tank for a higher draft pick.
12. Chicago Bears (6-10)
Now that the Bears are eliminated from the playoffs they are now on the Tank for a higher draft pick. Oh wait, they don’t have it. Their first-round pick is New York Giants' property due to the Justin Fields trade.
13. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
Now that the Seahawks are eliminated from the playoffs they are now on the Tank for a higher draft pick. Oh wait, they don’t have it. Their first-round pick is New York Jets property due to the Jamal Adams trade.
14. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
The Panthers are on the Tank to secure the 1st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
15. New York Giants (4-12)
The Giants are on the Tank to secure the 1st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
16. Detroit Lions (2-13-1)
The Lions are on the Tank to secure the 1st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.