We're heading into Week 14 with 5 games left to play, so it's getting close enough to take a look at the playoff picture.
Our chances took a big hit yesterday with the Rams beating the Browns, the Falcons beating the Jets, and the Bucs beating the Panthers. The NYT playoff predictor pegs our chances of making the playoffs at 23%.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 ... cture.html#1 seed: In the NFC, despite their shellacking by the Niners yesterday, the Eagles at 10-2 are still sitting on the #1 seed and a game ahead of the Cowboys in the NFC East, but that could easily change. Here's Philly's remaining schedule: At Dal, at Sea, vs. NYG, vs Ari, at NYG.
#2 seed: Niners, 9-3. They are also the hottest team in the league right now, having won the last 4 straight in convincing fashion, coming off a thrashing of the aforementioned Eagles. They have a 3 game lead over us in the NFC West and could wrap up the division title next weekend. They also have a favorable schedule with just one team with a winning record. Here's what they're facing down the stretch: vs. Sea, at Ari, vs. Bal, at Wsh, vs. LAR.
#3 seed: Lions. At 9-3, the NFC North leader with a 3 game lead over the Vikings and Packers. Their remaining schedule: at Chi, vs. Den, at Min, at Dal, vs. Min.
#4 seed: Falcons 6-6. Once again, the weakest division in football, the Falcons are a game up on the Bucs in the NFC South. Their remaining schedule: vs. TB, at Car, vs. Ind, at Chi, at NOLA.
#5 seed: Cowboys, 9-3. A firm hold on the first wild card seed and hot on the heels of the division leading Eagles. But they have a tough schedule: vs. Phi, at Buf, at Mia, vs. Det, at Wsh.
#6 seed: Vikings, 6-6. They're three games behind the Lions but play them twice in their last 3 games. We would lose a 3 way tiebreaker due to our being swept by the Rams and Vikings would get the nod over LA due to head-to-head with the Rams. Remaining schedule: At LV, at Cin, vs. Det, vs. GB, at Det.
#7 seed: Rams, 6-6. They own the tiebreaker over us due to their season series sweep. Remaining schedule: at Bal, vs. Wsh, vs. NOLA, at NYG, at SF.
In the hunt our us Hawks (6-6) and the Bucs and Saints, both 5-7. There are a few other teams in the hunt, but they're hanging on by a thread with chances pegged at 2% or less.
We do have a bit of an advantage in that our last three games are very winnable, at Ten, vs. Pit, and at Ari. Assuming we lose our next two vs. the Niners and Eagles, that would still put us at 9-8 and likely at the mercy of some tiebreakers.
It should be an interesting end to the regular season.