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NFC Hierarchy/Obituary with Week 7 in the books

The NFC is looking like it will be very competitive down the stretch. Every division race is within a game, with the exception of the NFC West, where are pair of big boys (the Niners and Seahawks) will be trying to chase down the Cardinals the rest of the way. The wildcards are also shaping up to be quite competitive, as those same Niners and Seahawks are currently on the outside looking in, and will be hunting.

We have one new death this week. Let's get to it.

Graveyard

Obituary

Dead: Vikings

After giving up a touchdown to the Bills with one second on the clock, the Vikings dropped their third straight game. Over that three game stretch, the Vikes have averaged 9.7 points per game. They're now four games back both in their division and the wildcard in what is shaping up to be a very congested playoff race in the NFC.

The Vikings are dead last in the NFC in passing offense, and obviously, losing Adrian Peterson affected their potency on offense in general.

Over the rest of their season, they only face two more opponents with a winning record, so they'll have the opportunity to win some more games, but you can probably pencil in Minny for a top 7-14 pick in next years' draft..

12) Falcons

We already know the Falcons' defense stinks. They're 29th against the pass, 27th against the run, and 30th overall. That's no surprise.

The general thinking is that their offense, however, is very good. They certainly have good receivers in Julio Jones and Roddy White, but they aren't without major issues on that side of the ball. Their offensive line got run over by the Ravens, who sacked Matt Ryan five times but were all over him the entire day when they weren't able to bring him down. They have also turned the ball over 13 times. Only three teams have turned it over more.

Until they fix the trenches, the Falcons are all sizzle, no steak. Really, the only thing they have going for them is that they play in arguably the worst division in football.

11) Giants

The last two weeks have not been easy for the Giants, and it only gets worse. The Giants have their bye this week, and then they'll face following four opponents:

• Colts

• At Seahawks

• 49ers

• Cowboys

Good luck.

10) Bears

Jay Cutler is an all-world talent. He has elite arm strength, he's mobile, and he's accurate. And he has all kinds of weaponry in his offense: Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, and an improving offensive line. The Bears should be a top 5 kind of offense. Instead, they're 15th in yards/game, 18th in points/game. And they're 0-3 at home, including losses to a pair of average teams in the Dolphins and Bills. Like the Giants, the Bears won't have it any easier in the coming weeks. They're on the road in New England Week 8, then they have their bye, followed by a road game in Green Bay, where Aaron Rodgers owns them. If they can't steal at least one of those two very tough road games, they're done.

8&9) Panthers & Saints (in whatever order you prefer)

The NFC South this past week:

• Panthers: Game was over by the second quarter when the Packers went up 28-0.

• Saints: Seven straight regular season road losses. Gave up 14 points in the last four minutes to a Calvin Johnson-less Lions team for the loss.

• Falcons: Drubbed by the Ravens, 29-7

• Buccaneers: Bye week. Worst point differential in the NFC by a wide margin.

The NFC South is on pace for a point differential of -391 this season. The NFC South stinks.

When this season is over, there are going to be at least two NFC teams better than the NFCS champ, maybe more, that won't make the playoffs, and a team from this garbage division is going to get a home game.

7) Lions

The Lions' kickers this season:

Last season, the Texans and Raiders each missed nine field goals. That led the league. The Lions have already passed them.

Good defense, a lot of weapons on offense, but bad special teams.

Never underestimate bad special teams play.

5&6) 49ers and Seahawks (in whatever order you prefer)

At the beginning of the season, the Seahawks and 49ers were considered by most to be the two best teams in the conference, possibly the league. Both have both been major disappointments. If the season ended today, the Seahawks and 49ers would not be in the playoffs.

4) Cardinals

The Cards have only turned the ball over four times this season. The other four teams that have turned the ball over four times or less this year: Chargers, Packers, Broncos, and Seahawks. Those teams all have pretty good quarterbacks.

Carson Palmer has only played three games, but he's been very efficient when he has (click here to enlarge):

3) Cowboys

DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys' offensive line have rightfully been praised this season for their outstanding play. But you know who else is killing it this season? Tony Romo. Here's what Romo is doing on 3rd down this season:

The Cowboys run game + 3rd down conversions = No Dallas D on the field = Ws.

2) Eagles

The Eagles' practice report that came out yesterday:

• Out: Brad Smith (groin)

• Limited practice: C Jason Kelce (hernia), LB Mychal Kendricks (calf), RB Darren Sproles (knee), G Evan Mathis (knee).

• Full participation in practice: RB Chris Polk (hamstring), LB DeMeco Ryans (groin)

Kendricks could be back this week, as could Sproles, while Kelce and Mathis will both likely be back no later than Week 10 against the Panthers. The Eagles' bye week came at a really ideal time this year. They were not healthy early this season, obviously, and still managed to go 5-1. They could be very healthy for the stretch run.

1) Packers

Aaron Rodgers is the best football player in the world.

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski