With two weeks remaining in the season the NFL Playoff picture still remains unfocused. Only four teams the Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs and Colts have clinched spots among the twelve available. Of the four, only the Colts have already locked up their division crown. Fourteen teams remain in contention for the remaining eight slots.
Of the 16 games on the schedule this weekend six will be played between teams either already in or fighting for a spot. Probably the two best of those games will be the Saints visiting the Panthers and the Bears going into Philadelphia to play the Eagles.
Both the Saints and the Panthers have identical 10 – 4 records. The winner of this matchup would take over first place in the NFC South. The loser might get a wildcard spot however they also could face elimination. Both teams played each other just two weeks ago in New Orleans with the Saints coming out on top. A victory by the Saints would clinch the title while a Panthers win would put them in good position for their first division championship of the Cam Newton era.
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The game in Philadelphia is a matchup of two division leaders. The Eagles need to maintain their one game lead over the Cowboys whom they play in next week’s finale. If both teams were to wind up with the same record the title would go to the Cowboys by virtue of a better divisional record. The Bears have a slim half game lead over the Packers and a one game advantage over the Lions. Any of the three could win the NFC North but it would be very unlikely that either of the other two would make the playoffs.
Other games with major playoff implications include the Cardinals at the Seahawks and the Patriots at the Ravens. All in all an interesting weekend in the NFL…
