FanPost

Playoff Outlook


Now that we are in the final quarter of the season, the NFC Playoff picture has been narrowed down for the most part. While not all of these teams are "mathematically" eliminated yet, we can argue that statistically, most of them are out of the picture. Right now, there are 3 teams locked in a tie for the 2 wild card spots and a couple others in contention. For the purpose of this, lets assume that for the teams I will list as eliminated are any team that cannot finish 10-6.

First, lets do a division by division breakdown. While doing this, I will eliminate the teams that are out of contention.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys (7-4), New York Giants (6-5), Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) , Washington Redskins (4-7).

* In this division, let's assume that the Dallas Cowboys are going to win the division. This puts the Giants at (6-5) in contention for the wild card and eliminates the Eagles and Redskins (4-7).

NFC NORTH

Green Bay Packers (11-0), Chicago Bears (7-4), Detroit Lions (7-4), Minnesota Vikings (2-9).

* In the North, we can already assume that the Packers are going to win the division. In fact, they can clinch the division with a win in Week 13. This put the Bears and Lions (7-4) in the Wild Card hunt. And we can eliminate the Vikings (2-9).

NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints (8-3), Atlanta Falcons (7-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7), Carolina Panthers (3-8).

* The South is the other impact player for the playoffs with the North division. The teams in this division that can be eliminated are the Buccaneers and Panthers for the purpose of this post. The division title will go to either the Saints (8-3) or the Falcons (7-4). I'm going to give the edge to the Saints to win the division because they already have a 1.5 game lead (the .5 comes because they already beat ATL once). This will put the Falcons (7-4) in the wild card hunt.

NFC WEST

San Francisco 49ers (9-2), Seattle Seahawks (4-7), Arizona Cardinals (4-7), St. Louis Rams (2-9)

* This division is simple, 49ers win the division and everyone else is eliminated. Done.

So of that, here is our Breakdown of what we have so far.

DIVISION WINNERS

  1. Packers (11-0)
  2. 49ers (9-2)
  3. Saints (8-3)
  4. Cowboys (7-4)

TEAMS IN WILD CARD HUNT

  1. Atlanta Falcons (7-4)
  2. Chicago Bears (7-4)
  3. Detroit Lions (7-4)
  4. New York Giants (6-5)

Let us assume that the Division winners listed above are in the seeding order that I have them listed in (although I think that the Saints have a good chance of taking over the #2 spot from San Francisco). That leaves 4 teams in a battle for 2 playoff spots and the #5 and 6 seeds in the NFC playoffs. RIght now, the Bears and Falcons hold the edge for those spots.

Now I am going to go through using the ESPN Playoff Machine (http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine) and see how I think things will play out on a week by week breakdown and see what happens in the end. (teams in BOLD are my predicted winners.

Week 13 -

  1. Kansas City Chiefs @ Chicago Bears
  2. Atlanta Falcons @ Houston Texans
  3. Green Bay @ New York Giants
  4. Detroit Lions @ New Orleans

Week 14 -

  1. Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
  2. Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers *
  3. Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos
  4. New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Week 15 -

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Atlanta Falcons
  2. Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears
  3. Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
  4. Detroit Lions @ Oakland Raiders

Week 16 -

  1. New York Giants @ New York Jets
  2. San Diego Chargers @ Detroit Lions
  3. Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers
  4. Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Week 17 -

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons *
  2. Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
  3. Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings *
  4. Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

* = Upset pick

FINAL PLAYOFF PICTURE

  1. Green Bay (1) BYE
  2. San Francisco (2) BYE
  3. Chicago Bears (6) vs. New Orleans (3)
  4. Detroit Lions (5) vs. Dallas (4)

With this scenario, the #5 seed would be the Detroit Lions (10-6) and the #6 seed would be the Chicago Bears (10-6). I think this shows that it is very possible for the Lions to still make the playoffs, however they have to figure out what is going wrong and fix it now. They can afford to lose the Saints and Packers games but have to run the table vs. Oakland, Minnesota and the Chargers (which is very doable) but they would need help. In this particular instance, they got help with the upset win for Carolina and Tampa Bay over Atlanta. Even if only one of those holds true to form, assuming that the Saints beat Atlanta, Detroit would still be in the playoffs and in this particular instance, a favorable matchup against the Cowboys.

Now I ask, what is your opinions and what do you think would happen?



This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.