The Student of the GameGoing Beyond the Stats

The Packers and the Niners already cashed in their ticket to the playoffs, but how does the rest of the NFC stack up? Chris sounds off in the latest Rankin’s Rankings.

There are 4 weeks left in the regular season, but if the playoffs started today, here is who would get in:

1. Packers (12-0)
2. Niners (10-2)
3. Saints (9-3)
4. Cowboys (7-5)
5. Bears (7-5)
6. Falcons (7-5)

Others: Lions (7-5), Giants (6-6), Seahawks (5-7), Cardinals (5-7)

Packers

The Packers are 2 games away from clinching home field throughout the playoffs. A win this week home against Raiders and @ Chiefs next week will find themselves resting at home against NFC North rivals Bears and Lions in week 16 and 17 respectfully. The Packers have a legitimate chance of going undefeated, which will make week 17 a must watch when Megatron and Suh come to town.

Niners

The Niners got off to a good start with rookie coach, Jim Harbaugh. The remainder of their schedule mostly favors them as they still play at every team in the NFC West and have a challenge as they host the Steelers in Week 15. The Niners should take 3 out of 4 and find themselves 13-3 overall and will lock in the #2 spot in the NFC. That means when the playoffs start, The Niners only have to win 1 game to make it to the NFC Championship game. What a big turn around from last year as they went 6-10. The Niners are playing great football and QB Alex Smith is managing the game and not turning the ball over.

Saints

The Saints hope the Niners falter a game or two so they can have a bye in the first week of the playoffs. It is a possibility that they catch the Niners as they play @ Titans and @ Vikings then finish the season home against the Falcons and the Panthers. The Saints have been looking very good recently and you’ll see them finish strong by taking all 4 games.

Cowboys

The Cowboys find themselves on the top of the NFC East, but it may be short lived as they host the Giants in week 14 and play @ the Giants in week 17. The ‘Boys are only up a game, and this rivalry will be a good one to watch. They also play @ Bucs in Week 15 then Host the Eagles in 16. I see the “boys maybe taking 2 of the 4, but not sure if it will be enough to get them into the playoffs.

Bears

The Bears looked like they were hitting their stride until Cutler went out with an injury; then the biggest blow came this past weekend when Matt Forte left in the 2nd quarter with a sprained MCL. The Bears are forced to turn to back-up QB Caleb Hanie and ex-Cowboy Marion Barber to lead the offense. Even though the Bears defensive front 7 is strong, their secondary leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Defense is not going to be able to carry this team as they face Timmy’s Broncos in Denver, host the Seahawks, then finish the year @ the Packers and Vikings. They will go 1-4 the remainder of the season and just miss out on the playoffs.

Falcons

The Falcons lost a crucial game this past weekend to the Cardinals and that loss may come back to haunt them. Their remaining schedule includes @ Panthers, home against the Jags, @ Saints, home against a struggling Buc team. Look for them to go at least 2-2, and should go 3-1. Their overall record should be 10-6, which should make the playoffs.

Lions

The Lions have 2 division games left, hosting the Vikings in Week 14 and finish the season @ Packers in Week 17. The games between are against the AFC West @ Raiders, and then home against the Chargers. Week 15 will be a good matchup as the Raiders get back McFadden and the Lions get back Suh. A rematch from Thanksgiving will be a good way to end the season. This will have to be a must win for the Lions, but I see them only winning 2. It will be close for them to make the playoffs.

Giants

The Giants face the NFC East rival Cowboys twice, once in Dallas in week 14 and home in week 17. They also host a struggling Redskins team in Week 15 and the J-E-T-S in week 16. The Giants take 3 out of 4 here (split with the Cowboys), which put them 9-7 which will not be enough because the Cowboys and Lions will win the tie breaker.

The Rest

The Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks are making a push to earn a playoff spot, but have too much ground to make up. They need the Giants or Cowboys to tank, plus they need the Bears, Lions, and Falcons to do the same. Both teams are 5-7 at the moment.

The Seahawks face the lowly Rams in Week 14, then @ the injury plagued Bears (they have won there before), host San Francisco in a game where the Niners may not care and will not need to win, and play against another NFC West team, the Cardinals, that could make the game interesting. I see them taking the Rams game, but nothing else.

The Cardinals do not look like they have a chance. They may win 2 of the 4 as they have the Niners in Week 14, host the Browns, @ the Bengals, then finish with the Seahawks. They win the Seahawks game and possibly the Browns but will still miss out on the playoffs.

Playoff Picture

If everything I mentioned above holds true, then here would be my projected final standings:

1. Packers (15-1)
2. Niners (13-3)
3. Saints (13-3)
4. Cowboys (9-7)
5. Falcons (10-6)
6. Lions (9-7)

Just missing: Giants (9-7), Bears (8-8), Cardinals (7-9), Seahawks (6-10)

There you have the outlook of the playoffs for the NFC. We have 4 weeks to see if it holds true in the latest edition of Rankin’s Rankings.