NFC Playoff Picture

With Thanksgiving week behind us, the NFL season is inching closer to the playoffs. The NFC picture is much cleaner, especially compared to the AFC, which is as crowded as ever. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what we could see come wild card weekend.

Standings 

NFC East 

1. Eagles (8-4)

2. Cowboys (6-5-1)

3. Commanders (3-9)

4. e-NY Giants (2-10)

The NFC East has not gone exactly as expected. The Eagles opened as the clear favorite, but their inconsistent play has left the door open for the Cowboys. The Commanders have been a major disappointment, with Daniels struggling to stay healthy and Terry McLaurin battling injuries. And the Giants are… well, still the Giants.

NFC North

1. Bears (9-3)

2. Packers (8-3-1)

3. Lions (7-5)

4. Vikings (4-8)

The NFC North has been more underwhelming than expected. Three teams with winning records suggests a competitive division, but inconsistency has defined the entire group. Between bad losses and narrow escapes against weaker teams, it is hard to label any of these teams as true contenders. The Bears have shaken up the division, but a tough upcoming schedule will test how real they are.

NFC South

1. Bucs (7-5)

2. Panthers (7-6)

3. Falcons (4-8)

4. e-Saints (2-10)

There was some hope that the NFC South would take a step forward this season, but it simply has not happened. The injury riddled Buccaneers sit in first, and the Panthers are not far behind. They face each other twice in the final three weeks, which will likely decide the division. Baker Mayfield’s early season MVP-level play has faded, and Bryce Young still has not become the cornerstone Carolina hoped for. The biggest lingering question is how Raheem Morris still has a job.

NFC West

1. Rams (9-3)

2. Seahawks (9-3)

3. 49ers (9-4)

4. e-Cardinals (3-9)

The NFC West might be the best division in the league. With three teams at nine wins, the stretch run is shaping up for must-watch football. It is likely all three teams make the playoffs, and the star power on display every week is unreal. Stafford, Darnold, and Purdy are all playing at a high level, backed by elite weapons like Puka, JSN, and CMC. Each team also has a defense capable of winning games on its own. Call me crazy, but I truly believe the Super Bowl winner is coming out of the NFC West.

Playoff Picture

1. BYE - Bears

2. Rams VS  (7) 49ers 

A very fun divisional matchup in the WC round. While the 49ers have been excellent in their efforts with fighting through the injuries they have dealt with this year, I just don't know if I can pick against Stafford and the Rams right now. Stafford, aside from this week's blunder in Carolina, has been perfect, add that with how good the combinations of Davonte Adams and Puka Nacua have been plus Kyren Williams, I don't see how they lose, give me the Rams here. 

3. Eagles VS (6) Packers

This sounds like it would be a good matchup, and if there are two teams who I think can make for a good playoff game its these two. Both have been very inconsistent and honestly not fun watches, but looking away from the star power in this game would be silly. Jordan Love needs his get back for last years 3 interceptions vs this eagles team, and without Lane Johnson the run game for Saquon is not real. I hate it, but give me the Packers in an upset here. 

      (5) Seahawks VS (4) Bucs 

A healthy Bucs team may be able to accomplish the feat of beating this Seahawks defense, I just don't know if all 3 of Bucky Iriving, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin can be full throttle 100% geared up ready to go come playoffs. I think this would be an awesome matchup if the Bucs were fully healthy but thats just not the case, Sam Darnold gets his first career playoff win and the Seahawks make it out of TB win a win. 

Rocket Picks

We were treated to an awesome Thanksgiving slate, but unfortunately my Rocket TD picks were not part of the feast. That is in the past though, and I am feeling due for a bounce back. Here are the plays I have lined up for this week. Combine these two Rocket picks for a 4.6x multiplier!

Mark Andrews 

• Another reliable TE here. The Ravens need to get going if they even want to sniff a playoff spot, luckily they play in the worst division in the sport and have a shot. Andrews is a key point in the offense, I say he scores this week.

Kahil Shakir

One of the YAC goats. Last week the Bills dominated the run game vs the Steelers, lets get some pass yards from Mr. Allen and who else to go to but one of the YAC goats. Allen can knife through this Bengals defense and I see a good opportunity for Shakir to get some grade A looks.

Make sure to craft out your own Rocket Picks on the OwnersBox app!