Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 9:40 AM | 10 comments |
 

Sorting out the NFC playoff picture
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Here's a team-by-team look at where we stand in the NFC going into the final week of the regular season. We'll cover the AFC later today. These scenarios do not include ties, which I thought would only confuse matters. Four teams have clinched: the Giants, Falcons, Panthers and Cardinals. Two spots are up for grabs.

New York Giants (12-3) - With their OT win over the Panthers last week, the Giants clinched a first-round bye and home-field throughout the NFC playoffs. New York was 7-1 at home this season, its only loss coming in Week 14 against the Eagles. The Giants play at the Vikings Sunday and then won't take the field again until Jan. 10 when they host a divisional playoff game.

Carolina Panthers (11-4) - The Panthers have clinched a playoff spot, but not the division. Carolina could either be the No. 2 seed or the No. 5 seed, depending on what happens this weekend. If the Panthers win OR the Falcons lose, Carolina takes the NFC South and gets the No. 2 seed, which means a first-round bye. If the Panthers lose to the Saints and the Falcons beat the Rams, Carolina will be the No. 5 seed, meaning a road playoff game in the first round.

Atlanta Falcons (10-5) -  As I just stated, the Falcons need a win over the Rams and a Panthers loss to the Saints to win the NFC South and get a first-round bye. A Panthers win OR a Falcons loss means Atlanta will be the top wild-card team and play a road playoff game as the No. 5 seed, most likely at Arizona.

Arizona Cardinals (8-7) - They've clinched the NFC West and will host a first-round playoff game against a wild-card team to be determined. The Cardinals are 5-2 at home in the regular season. They host the Seahawks this weekend, but have lost four of five.

Minnesota Vikings (9-6) - If the season ended today, the Vikings would host a first-round playoff game as the No. 3 seed. Minnesota is the NFC North champ with a win over the Giants OR a Bears loss at Houston. A loss to New York combined with a Chicago win over the Texans would leave the Vikings on the outside looking in.

Dallas Cowboys (9-6) - This is probably the most simple one. Win and they're in. Lose and they're out. There is no in between. Despite the recent turmoil, if the Cowboys beat the Eagles at the Linc Sunday afternoon, they're in the playoffs as the second wild-card team and the No. 6 seed. That would mean a road playoff game, likely at Minnesota or Chicago, in the first round.

Chicago Bears (9-6) - The Bears have a shot at both the wild card and the division after Monday night's win over the Packers. A win at Houston and a loss by the Vikings against the Giants would give Chicago the NFC North and the No. 3 seed, meaning they'd host a first-round playoff game. Chicago gets the wild card with a win combined with losses from both the Cowboys and the Bucs. That would be the No. 6 seed and a road playoff game in the first round.

Tampa Bay Bucs (9-6) - Jon Gruden and company need help from the Eagles this weekend. Tampa Bay gets in with a win over the Raiders and a Cowboys loss to the Birds. That scenario would give them the second wild-card spot, the No. 6 seed and a road playoff game in the first round.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1) - The Eagles need three things to happen: a win over the Cowboys, a loss by the Bucs to the Raiders and either a loss by the Vikings to the Giants OR a loss by the Bears to the Texans. That scenario would give the Eagles the No. 6 seed and a likely first-round game on the road in Minnesota or Chicago.

And there you have it. Chime in with questions or comments or what-ifs. That's what this time of the year is all about.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 9:40 AM  Permalink | 10 comments
10
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  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:54 AM, 12/23/2008
    This team - and this head coach - don't deserve a playoff spot. This franchise is submerged in mediocrity - and sadly, the top brass is fine with it.
    — AllDawk_AllTheTime
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:21 AM, 12/23/2008
    And they also need all the illegal immigrants standing on the corner waiting for a job to leave and have the economy fix itself. and reduce the pay of the auto workers on the assemble line down to reasonable rates and stop paying these thieves 95% of their pay while on layoff.. also need the government to get the people out of debt not the companies,,, get rid our debt and we will spend again,,, don’t give the auto makers and banks money if the people still have too many bills.. it makes no sense at all,, kinda like “Reidomics” play calling that is.
    — osi is hurt boohoo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:23 AM, 12/23/2008
    Thanks for the breakdown, Sheil. Whenever I feel a bit sad for my birds, my wondrous wife reminds me that at least I'm not a Lions fan.
    — phan in TN
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:32 AM, 12/23/2008
    "stop paying these thieves 95% of their pay while on layoff"... Please tell me what bafoon in this world would not like 95% of their pay when laid off? Is it you? I would certanily consider a Godsend...Being laidoff can happen to the hardest workers with the most needy families. Those are the famlies that need it the most. Is it the children on here that make such asenine comments, or are these really adults? I don't get it...Whatever they may be...They have no clue what really goes on in this world.
    — MFPhils
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:34 PM, 12/23/2008
    Gotta love it when Eagles fans whine ... and that you are all very good at time and time again!!!
    — IrishBrendan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:10 PM, 12/23/2008
    Hey Irish Brendan, have a good time at the Tom Cruise movie this weekend. He sounds like your kind of fella.
    — va philly fan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:14 PM, 12/24/2008
    Andy has had issues all of his stay in Philly in regards to balance: work verses being a dad, eating verses exercise, running verses passing, over commitment (read gm) verses "just" coaching, preparation for the draft verses dealing with his kids...list goes on. HE NEEDS TO FIND BALANCE. Until then, i fear that we will continue to be very good for streaks and very bad for streaks.
    — TTwins


10 comments
About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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