NFC Playoff Picture

Division Leaders
1. Philadelphia -- Home field clinched, can they adjust to no TO?
2. Atlanta -- Clinched 1st round bye.
3. Green Bay -- Playing for division title on Friday.
4. Seattle -- As they said on a pregame show, by rule someone from the NFC West goes to the playoffs.

Wildcards
5. Minnesota -- Detroit's bad snap helped, but they played a good game. Now they could steal the division title from the Packers. If they beat the Pack on Christmas Eve, the Vikes take the division! Green Bay usually struggles at the Metrodome and Moss should be 100%. The only question is can the defense hold a lead, any lead?

6. Carolina -- It was a tough loss to Atlanta, but the Panthers are in the crappy conference, so it didn't hurt them. Now they have the Bucs and the Saints and they control their own destiny. If they get in, the Panthers will travel to the winner of the Green Bay (outdoors, in January) vs Minnesota (climate controlled dome) game. I wonder who they will be cheering for on Friday?

Outside Looking In
7. St Louis -- Yeah, right, they'll make the playoffs (dripping with sarcasm). They just lost to the Cardinals, do you really think they can knock off Philly and the Jets in consecutive weeks? Stick a fork in 'em, they're done.

8. New Orleans -- Amazing what a 2-game win streak will do! If they win this weekend it sets up a game against the Panthers for what would probably be the final playoff spot. The Saints are the only NFC team, still fighting for a playoff position, that has won its last 2 games.

9. Arizona -- I am now a Cardinals fan. At least they're playing like they want it. If they could beat the worst team in the NFL (49ers), they would be in the lead in the NFC West. If they go 2-0 against Seattle and Tampa, the Cards could sneak in. The Rams and Seahawks would both have to drop their last 2, but that's a distinct possibility with them. Go Cards!!