Divisional Drama: Who’s In and Who’s Out (NFC)
Divisional Drama: Who’s In and Who’s Out (NFC)
NFC North
While it is most likely going to be a two-team race with the unlikely chances the Chicago Bears have, the NFC North is up for grabs between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota. With Green Bay sitting at 10-3 and Minnesota at 9-4, the Packers control their own destiny. What makes it interesting is that these two teams will meet, and the winner will most likely be crowned the NFC North champion. What’s so crazy about this is that even with the strong records, a two-game losing streak can have these teams from first-round bye hopeful, to not even in the playoffs. The third wheel of this division is the Chicago Bears. While a rough start has trimmed their playoff chances significantly, Chicago is playing its best brand of football right now, and it all starts with the play of Mitchell Trubisky. At 7-6, they would need a lot of help, but crazier things have happened in the NFL.
NFC South
No Drew Brees? No problem. When hall of fame quarterback Drew Brees went down with a thumb injury, the Saints did not blink, and they did not lose a game in his absence. Following a crushing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Saints will look to bounce back against a struggling Colts team. As for the rest of the division, they never really gave New Orleans a challenge. Tampa Bay is in second with a record of 6-7, and they are not even sure who their quarterback is going to be next year. Carolina came back to earth. As for Atlanta, the offense can look good. But whatever can go wrong seems to go wrong for them. Unless a massive quarterback changes in Tampa Bay or Carolina, expect the same out of this division for next year too.
NFC East
The NFC East has gone as expected, well at least sort of. The Eagles and Cowboys were supposed to be fighting for the division, and the Giants and Redskins would be at the bottom. While this is all true, nobody expected the NFC East division winner to have at best a 9-7 record. Both teams came into this year with Super Bowl aspirations. If they want to reach that goal, they better find their identities. As of today, Dallas and Philly are both 6-7, with Dallas having the tiebreaker. No matter what happens this week, the Week 16 showdown will almost guarantee the NFC East crown. Dallas, while having a tougher schedule, has had the Eagles number, and with the depleted roster due to injuries the Eagles have, it is going to be tough. Dallas, talent-wise, is clearly the better team, and it has shown when they’ve met head-to-head. But the Cowboys are at their lowest low right now and cannot seem to do anything right. On the other hand, the Eagles may have found their rhythm against the Giants and will look to continue that momentum into next week. But after all of this, it is going to come down to one game and that’s it.
NFC West
Probably the most competitive division the NFL, the NFC West has three teams that can make a legitimate run in the playoffs. The division looks like it is going to be either Seattle or San Francisco, but the Los Angeles Rams have shrugged off the early-season struggles and are a game behind the Vikings with a record of 8-5. If the Rams can win out, I like their chances to get in. As for the division, it is hard to tell who has the advantage. The Niners have burst onto the scene, and after a statement win against the Saints on the road, many believe this team will not only win the division, but the NFC also. With that being said, the pesky bunch in Seattle led by hall of fame caliber quarterback Russell Wilson just find ways to win. Sitting at 10-3 and a game behind the Niners, the Seahawks would still control their own destiny for the division, because that would mean they’d have the tiebreaker due to a 2-0 record against San Fran? Can Jimmy G dethrone Russ, it is going to be a fun last three weeks with the implications every game has and values.
-By: Richie Dordas
Writer/ Interviewer