Sizing up NFC wild-card picture: Remaining schedule for each team in mix, predictions on who makes playoffs

Four weeks remain in the regular season, and the NFC wild-card race remains as unpredictable as ever. 

Six teams are 6-7 heading into Week 15, which are more 6-7 teams in either conference through 14 weeks than any other year since the 1970 merger. One of those teams is the NFC South leader (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), who are currently in a three-way tie for the division lead. The other two teams (Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints) are in a five-way tie for the final playoff spot in the NFC. 

Only one game separates the No. 7 through No. 13 seeds in the NFC, and each of them have an under. 500 record. Just five teams in the NFC are currently over .500, and three of them have 10 wins (they are playoff locks). 

The NFC wild-card race is as confusing as ever, so which teams are going to make the postseason? All the current wild-card teams will be examined, and their outlook of making the postseason will be determined based on their remaining schedule. 

NFC wild-card standings 

4

z-Buccaneers

6

7

0

.462

-8

5x-Eagles1030.769+216x-Vikings760.538+247x-Packers670.462+128Rams670.462+99Seahawks670.462-3810Falcons670.462-1811Saints670.462+2412Giants580.385-3913Bears580.385-131z- current division leaderx- current playoff team

Playoff outlook

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Remaining schedule: at Packers, vs. Jaguars, vs. Saints, at Panthers

The Buccaneers are in a three-way tie for the NFC South lead, finishing out the year with two division opponents. They have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Saints and have a better record against common opponents than the Falcons, which gives them the division lead. 

The Panthers game in Week 18 could loom large in regards to their playoff chances. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, vs. Giants, vs. Cardinals, at Giants 

The Eagles need just one win to lock up a playoff spot. If the Eagles win out, they’ll clinch the NFC East thanks to having a better…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sizing-up-nfc-wild-card-picture-remaining-schedule-for-each-team-in-mix-predictions-on-who-makes-playoffs/

Author : Jeff Kerr

Publish date : 2023-12-13 17:11:30

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.