A look at December in the NFC

vicjagger

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I thought December 1st might be an appropriate time to take a look at the remaining NFC schedules. Here's some tidbits, by division:

Format: Division (Opponents combined W%) (# Home / #Away) (vs. NFC / vs. AFC)

NFC East (.500) (11 / 9) (20 / 0)

The NFC East is the only division with zero games remaining vs. the AFC. Of the 20 games remaining, 10 are in the division and 8 are against the NFC South. The other 2 games are WSH @ STL & DET @ DAL. The East has the most games at home in December, plays the NFC exclusively and is poised to have the most direct effect on the playoffs. Also, the East cellar dweller, Washington, has more wins than the other bottom feeders. At season's end, the East will likely be the best division in the NFC, top to bottom, as most expected.

NFC South (.491) (8 / 12) (17 / 3)

The NFC South may have the toughest collective "road" to the playoffs with 12 of 20 away games. NO is the only team with 3 home games remaining, while Atlanta plays 4 of 5 away. There are still 6 division games, plus the previously mentioned 8 vs. the NFC East (3H / 5A). TB plays 2 meaningless games vs. the AFC, but a Carolina loss in Pittsburgh would be nice.

NFC West (.491) (9 / 11) (14 / 6)

The NFC West has the most games remaining vs. the AFC. Seattle still plays @ Denver, and must host San Diego. St. Louis still has to travel to the black hole, where the Raiders defense is playing better, while the 49ers end their season, likely with a whimper, in Denver. There are still 8 games to be played within the division and just 3 remaining vs. the NFC North. Like the South, only 1 team has 3 home games remaining, in this case, St. Louis.

NFC North (.477) (10 / 10) (17 / 3)

12 of the remaining 20 games are in the division. Green Bay plays 4 of 5 at the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau, including 3 straight division games in weeks 15-17. Minnesota and Green Bay still host the NY Jets, who've been playing well. Chicago still has 3 of 5 at home, and has the easiest remaining Opp W% (.345).
 

Bryan8284

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Nice read, thanks for posting.

Can't worry about anyone else, just handled our own business and we're the #2.
 

lurkercowboy

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This is what it is all about. A December stretch run with Dallas in the thick of the playoff race. Like the good old days for us old-timers and heady times for the young fans who grew up with 5-11 (x3).
 

CoCo

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lurkercowboy;1200289 said:
This is what it is all about. A December stretch run with Dallas in the thick of the playoff race. Like the good old days for us old-timers and heady times for the young fans who grew up with 5-11 (x3).

You are absolutely right lurker. Meaningful games in December, which we hope will lead to meaningful games in January.

We had those December games in both 2003 & 2005. But in both years there were visible chinks in the armor that looked to be getting deeper.

This year we have meaningful December games and it appears that for the first time under Parcells our arrow is pointing up at this juncture instead of trying to hold it together enough to sneak in to the playoffs. We may go storming in this year. Thats what we're hoping for anyway. ;)
 

windward

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CoCo;1200302 said:
You are absolutely right lurker. Meaningful games in December, which we hope will lead to meaningful games in January.

We had those December games in both 2003 & 2005. But in both years there were visible chinks in the armor that looked to be getting deeper.

This year we have meaningful December games and it appears that for the first time under Parcells our arrow is pointing up at this juncture instead of trying to hold it together enough to sneak in to the playoffs. We may go storming in this year. Thats what we're hoping for anyway. ;)
I have not been this hopeful since 1996. I'm on the verge of being totally giddy. If we beat the Gmen Sunday and the Saints the following week, I don't know how I'll be able to focus for finals.
 

SteveOS

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I think the Bears are going to lose a few more games, before all is said and done. Probably not enough for the Boys to claim the #1 seed, but you never know.
 

the kid 05

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does that mean every one in the EAST has beat an AFC team...man...The East does have the Beasts
 

vicjagger

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the kid 05;1200412 said:
does that mean every one in the EAST has beat an AFC team...man...The East does have the Beasts

Yes. NFC East Vs. The AFC South:

Dallas 3-1
Washington 2-2
NY Giants 1-3
Philly 1-3

How 'bout them Tennessee Titans!!
 
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