A Perfect Time to Panic (NFC Week 17)

While the AFC has a lot to decide and will need both of the remaining weeks to do so, the National Football Conference has quite a bit left to decide, and it could all be solved before the ball drops. I definitely hope it doesn't, and one reason goes without saying. The other reason is that it would make Week 18 very anti-climactic; we need some spark in the NFC for the final week.

With that said, here's the NFC playoff picture, and the scenarios:

San Francisco 49ers (11-4)

The San Francisco 49ers had a Christmas that they'd like to forget. They were on the receiving end of a thrashing on their home field, which included Brock Purdy throwing four interceptions. The Niners dropped to 11-4, but still hold the #1 position via tiebreaker, and they do control their own destiny when it comes to locking up the #1 seed in the NFC. Overall, the Niners get it by winning out, but this week, they need a win and losses from the Eagles and Lions. The Niners will be on the road against the Washington Commanders in Sunday's early window, and on the final week of the regular season, they'll host the Rams.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)

The Philadelphia Eagles had a good Christmas; they ended their three game losing streak and finally capitalized on a Cowboys loss, moving them into sole possession of first place in the NFC East. With this, the Eagles can lock up the division this week; a win and a Dallas loss or tie will get it done. If they tie, the Cowboys have to lose. Overall, the Eagles can win the East by winning out. As for the #1 seed, they need to win out and the Niners need to lose just once. The Eagles host the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday's early window.

Detroit Lions (11-4)

For the first time in 30 years, the Detroit Lions won a division title, capturing the NFC North for the first time ever. Since the NFC was created in 1970, the Lions have only won four division titles. They have never finished as the top seed in the conference. In 1991, they were #2 in the conference. Now, the Lions can't clinch anything this week, but they are alive in the race for the conference's top seed. They are on the lowest end of the three way tie due to San Francisco's conference record, and Philly owning Strength of Victory over them. The Lions can get the #1 seed by winning out and Philly and San Francisco both losing a game. Both of their final two games are at home, starting with a Saturday meeting with the Cowboys.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

The second season of the NFC South trainwreck could end the same as the first, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on top of the heap. The Bucs' win over the Jaguars allowed them this golden opportunity to take the division. All they need to do is beat the New Orleans Saints, and that'll do it. If they tie, the Atlanta Falcons have to lose. The Bucs really control their own destiny; even if they lose this week, it's still win and clinch for the Bucs on the final week.

Dallas Cowboys (10-5)

The Dallas Cowboys' last second loss to the Miami Dolphins eliminated them from the #1 seed picture, but they can still capture the NFC East this season. Dallas can't clinch the division this week; it will have to require both of the final weeks of the season. If they win out and the Eagles lose of the two games, then the Cowboys will take the East. After their trip the Detroit, the Cowboys will head to Washington to face the Commanders, while the Eagles will head to New Jersey to face the Giants.

Los Angeles Rams (8-7)

The Los Angeles Rams entered this season looking to put last season behind them. What was supposed to be a celebration of their Super Bowl championship became a disastrous season that saw them eliminated from playoff contention weeks before Christmas. It looked like we would see more of the same from the Rams, as they were 3-6 after nine games. However, the Rams would strike back and win five of their last six games, with the one loss being an overtime defeat against the Ravens. As a result of this, the Rams are above the playoff line and can actually get in this week. A win and a Seahawks loss will put them in the playoffs, or a win and Packers/Vikings ending tied will get it done. The Rams will head to New Jersey to face off against the Giants.

Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

Even though it happened at the expense of the Packers, I remain fascinated over how the Seattle Seahawks actually reached the playoffs last year. They traded Russell Wilson to Denver, and I remember all of the talk entering last year: "They're tearing it down," "They're playing for the draft." A funny thing happened: the Rams fell off, and the Seahawks capitalized big time and nabbed the last spot in the final week. Even so, it did look like it would be a one off, but the Seahawks started to prove that to be wrong as well, as they wre 6-3 after nine games. However, that was followed by a four game losing streak--all conference games, at that. Seattle won back-to-back after that to move into the playoff line, and they have earned the right to clinch a playoff spot this week. A win and Packers/Vikings ending tied will get it done. The Seahawks host the Pittsburgh Steelers during Sunday's late window.

So that's the top seven entering this week, and the puzzle can be completed before the final week. I certainly hope it's not completed. I stated one reason. Now here's the more obvious one:

The 7-8 Teams

Behind the NFC playoff line is a quartet of 7-8 teams: the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings, the Atlanta Falcons, and the New Orleans Saints. Two North teams, two South teams. Perfect symmetry. The Vikings' loss to the Lions knocked them behind the playoff line, but despite this, they are the lead team in this logjam, as they have head-to-head over Atlanta and Green Bay. The Falcons have head-to-head over the Packers and Saints, and the Packers have head-to-head over the Saints. Minnesota entered last week controlling their own destiny. All they had to do was win out, but that loss forced them to need help, and the injuries are continuing to pile up for the team.

As for my Packers, the Vikings loss did help us out, as did the Rams and Saints playing each other, as one of them had to lose (barring a tie), and we did take care of our own business. The Falcons also helped themselves last week, and they now have an outside shot a Wild Card spot and the division. Now, they may need some help in the Wild Card race, but regarding the NFC South, they need to win out and the Bucs to lose out. As for the Saints, they're in the bottom of this logjam, and they need a miracle even to win the mediocre South. They need to beat Tampa and need the Falcons to lose this week, and need to beat ATL in the final week while Tampa actually loses to Carolina. All four teams face elimination this week, but the Saints are the one team who are "lose and out."

Regarding the Packers, we're in Minnesota on Sunday Night Football. After some tinkering with the playoff machine, I now know that we need to win out, the Rams and/or Seahawks need one loss, and the Falcons have to lose. In short, Packers fans, before we beat one enemy, we have to pull for another one:

Chicago Bears (6-9)

It's almost New Year's, and the Chicago Bears are still alive in the playoff hunt. It's a mix of the NFC's increasing mediocrity, and some good luck from the Bears. Even so, at 6-9, they face a hell of a battle. The only way they can get in: win out, Vikings win out, and the Saints, Seahawks, and Rams all lose out. That's it. By the way, Packers fans, we have to pull for the Bears this week, because that's who the Falcons are facing in Sunday's early window. Yeah. Sleeping with the enemy is never easy, but hey, desperate times. Even scarier, the Bears could end up with the #1 pick again, as the Carolina Panthers (whose 1st round pick was traded to the Bears for the #1 overall pick, which became Bryce Young) still have the league's worst record with two weeks left.

So that's what's happening in the NFC. New Year's Eve will be quite frantic for me as a Packers fan, as I have a lot of interesting rooting interests this week. Here's hoping for an amazing penultimate week, and here's hoping that the Packers move one step closer to the playoffs!