NFC Playoff Race

[The Explorer]

Playoff watch as of today

1. Atlanta Falcons (10-2) - @ CAR, @ SEA, vs NO, vs CAR
2. Chicago Bears (9-3) - vs NE, @ MIN, vs NJY, @ GB
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) - @ DAL, @ NYG, vs MIN, vs DAL
4. St. Louis Rams (6-6) - who cares
5. New Orleans Saints (9-3) - vs STL, @ BAL, @ ATL, vs TB
6. New York Giants (8-4) - @ MIN, vs PHI, @ GB, @ WASH
7. Green Bay Packers (8-4) - @ DET, @ NE, vs NYG, vs CHI
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) - won't make it anyway

Looks like ATL will run away with seed #1.

Minnesota and Dallas could really play spoiler here, including against the Bears. I actually see Bears beating the Jets and Patriots, but losing to Minnesota and Green Bay on the road. The question that remains to be seen, is will 11-5 be enough to get in?

[SportsWorld]

11-5 will be enough to get in for sure. 10-6 is a question mark. 9-7 won't.

[emperorjones]

Actually, playing around with ESPN's playoff machine, an 11-5 team could likely sit out. For example. Bears & Pack go 11-5 (easily could happen) NO goes 11-5 or better (probable) Atlanta wins 12+ (probable). Eagles beat Dal twice, and Min to go 11-5. (likely) Then the Giants beat the Eagles, Wash & Min while losing to the Pack (easily possible). Then the Bears are likely out of the playoffs with an 11-5 record. That would be amazing.

[The Explorer]

Good news for the Bears - Charles Woodson may be out for the Detroit game. Expect a big game from Calvin Johnson. Hopefully it will be enough to win.

[WEFFPIM]

When all is said and done this year, someone will have double digit wins and be royally pissed off.

[Mr. Tibbs]

question..if the bears win tonight against minnesota..they clinch a spot, but do the last 2 games have any purpose still? like can seeding still change or no? also knock on wood don't mean to be counting my eggs before they hatch lol

[WEFFPIM]

They can still be the two seed assuming the Falcons lock up the top spot. They have the tiebreaker with Philly.

[mattbulls]

question..if the bears win tonight against minnesota..they clinch a spot, but do the last 2 games have any purpose still? like can seeding still change or no? also knock on wood don't mean to be counting my eggs before they hatch lol

If they win tonight they clinch a 2 or 3 seed.

If we win the last 2 we are the 2 seed
or
win 1 and philly loses 1
or
lose both, eagles lose both, and giants lose 1.

[Mr. Tibbs]

question..if the bears win tonight against minnesota..they clinch a spot, but do the last 2 games have any purpose still? like can seeding still change or no? also knock on wood don't mean to be counting my eggs before they hatch lol

If they win tonight they clinch a 2 or 3 seed.

If we win the last 2 we are the 2 seed
or
win 1 and philly loses 1
or
lose both, eagles lose both, and giants lose 1.

gotcha, thanks

[DanTown8587]

Two Assumptions:

1. NY Giants get sixth spot
2. NFC West team loses round 1 to New Orleans

That would mean playoff scenarios are as follows:
1. Atlanta
2. Chicago
3. Philly v New York
5. New Orleans

Bears play New Orleans OR Philadelphia

OR
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Chicago v New York
5. New Orleans

Bears play New York then HAVE to beat Philly in Philly.

[SportsWorld]

If we don't get a bye, we're most likely playing Green Bay or New York at home. We really need that bye. I think we can beat either at home though.