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by: Matt Williamson
posted: Monday, October 29, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Insider NFL, NFL, NFC NFC
Week 8 is finishing up Monday night with the Packers traveling to Denver to face the Broncos. We are now, more or less, at the halfway point of the season and I wanted to give my two cents on the NFC playoff picture.
In
Dallas Cowboys - While it is conceivable that Dallas won't win the NFC East, the Cowboys are going to the playoffs. They are 6-1 with their lone loss coming against the Patriots. This is a very good, not elite, but very good football team. They have to be the NFC favorite for the Super Bowl.
Green Bay Packers - Even though they can't run the ball consistently, they do everything else well and might have the best defense in the NFC. Their schedule will help a great deal as well. The Packers should get a bye and host games at Lambeau.
Sitting pretty
New York Giants - At 6-2, the Giants just need to go .500 from here on out and they will get in without any problem. However, winning the NFC East should be the goal and they are certainly capable of attaining it.
Seattle Seahawks - Someone has to win this division, right? Seattle has experience; they presently lead the division and have a ridiculously easy schedule from this point on. It would take a tremendous meltdown for the Seahawks to miss the playoffs. Just don't expect much once they do get in though.
Have to like their chances
Detroit Lions - Remember, this is the NFC. The Lions are 5-2. A record of 4-5 from this point should get them in as a wild card. Don't bet the house on it and the schedule isn't particularly favorable, but the Lions just might go to the playoffs. Can't believe I just typed that.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Look at their schedule, it is pretty much a cake walk. Jon Gruden has done a tremendous job this year and is maximizing his talent. The Bucs' defense will keep them in most games.
50/50
Washington Commanders - The Commanders have a brutal schedule and their offensive line injuries are a major problem. But this team also plays very good defense and is well- coached.
It could happen, seriously
New Orleans Saints - The Saints have won three games in a row. While the teams they have beaten are not juggernauts, this division is still up for grabs. New Orleans has more than their share of holes, but so does just about every team in the NFC.
Philadelphia Eagles - This is a better football team than their record shows. The Eagles seem to be in a tight game every week, but also have a hard time finishing teams off. They still have four games within the division, so if they catch fire, they could get in through the back door, but it is a long shot for sure.
I just don't see it
Chicago Bears - Sure, they could still rebound and make a run, but this past week's loss was huge. You simply cannot continue to turn the ball over as much as Chicago does and expect to win. It would also help if the Bears could run the football.
Carolina Panthers - It shocks me that this team is a contender to be honest, but they are solid on both lines and play good enough defense to compete. Still, what is special about the Panthers? They also have a very tough road from here on out.
Next year
Arizona Cardinals - They are only one game behind Seattle, but they have lost two in a row and while they have shown noticeable improvement, they simply are not playoff worthy yet. The Cardinals could still surprise, since their schedule is very favorable, but the Cards could be a contender in 2008 after one more offseason of talented additions.
Still have a lot of work to do
San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings - There are a lot of key pieces in place on defense and they have a top-notch running back and the offensive line has talent. But the problem here is simple: they cannot throw the ball at all. Building a passing attack from more or less nothing is not going to be an easy task.
With the first pick of the 2008 draft
Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons surely have their share of issues, but bringing in two quality offensive linemen would alleviate a lot of issues. Of course there is the question of who should be the quarterback as well.
St. Louis Rams - The Rams are far too talented to be thinking about the first overall selection, but they have to be in this category since they have failed to win a football game this year. Age and injuries have certainly come into play and St. Louis showed signs of life in Week 8, so don't be surprised if the Rams rebound next year after bringing in an influx of talent this offseason.
posted: Monday, October 29, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Insider NFL, NFL, NFC NFC
Week 8 is finishing up Monday night with the Packers traveling to Denver to face the Broncos. We are now, more or less, at the halfway point of the season and I wanted to give my two cents on the NFC playoff picture.
In
Dallas Cowboys - While it is conceivable that Dallas won't win the NFC East, the Cowboys are going to the playoffs. They are 6-1 with their lone loss coming against the Patriots. This is a very good, not elite, but very good football team. They have to be the NFC favorite for the Super Bowl.
Green Bay Packers - Even though they can't run the ball consistently, they do everything else well and might have the best defense in the NFC. Their schedule will help a great deal as well. The Packers should get a bye and host games at Lambeau.
Sitting pretty
New York Giants - At 6-2, the Giants just need to go .500 from here on out and they will get in without any problem. However, winning the NFC East should be the goal and they are certainly capable of attaining it.
Seattle Seahawks - Someone has to win this division, right? Seattle has experience; they presently lead the division and have a ridiculously easy schedule from this point on. It would take a tremendous meltdown for the Seahawks to miss the playoffs. Just don't expect much once they do get in though.
Have to like their chances
Detroit Lions - Remember, this is the NFC. The Lions are 5-2. A record of 4-5 from this point should get them in as a wild card. Don't bet the house on it and the schedule isn't particularly favorable, but the Lions just might go to the playoffs. Can't believe I just typed that.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Look at their schedule, it is pretty much a cake walk. Jon Gruden has done a tremendous job this year and is maximizing his talent. The Bucs' defense will keep them in most games.
50/50
Washington Commanders - The Commanders have a brutal schedule and their offensive line injuries are a major problem. But this team also plays very good defense and is well- coached.
It could happen, seriously
New Orleans Saints - The Saints have won three games in a row. While the teams they have beaten are not juggernauts, this division is still up for grabs. New Orleans has more than their share of holes, but so does just about every team in the NFC.
Philadelphia Eagles - This is a better football team than their record shows. The Eagles seem to be in a tight game every week, but also have a hard time finishing teams off. They still have four games within the division, so if they catch fire, they could get in through the back door, but it is a long shot for sure.
I just don't see it
Chicago Bears - Sure, they could still rebound and make a run, but this past week's loss was huge. You simply cannot continue to turn the ball over as much as Chicago does and expect to win. It would also help if the Bears could run the football.
Carolina Panthers - It shocks me that this team is a contender to be honest, but they are solid on both lines and play good enough defense to compete. Still, what is special about the Panthers? They also have a very tough road from here on out.
Next year
Arizona Cardinals - They are only one game behind Seattle, but they have lost two in a row and while they have shown noticeable improvement, they simply are not playoff worthy yet. The Cardinals could still surprise, since their schedule is very favorable, but the Cards could be a contender in 2008 after one more offseason of talented additions.
Still have a lot of work to do
San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings - There are a lot of key pieces in place on defense and they have a top-notch running back and the offensive line has talent. But the problem here is simple: they cannot throw the ball at all. Building a passing attack from more or less nothing is not going to be an easy task.
With the first pick of the 2008 draft
Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons surely have their share of issues, but bringing in two quality offensive linemen would alleviate a lot of issues. Of course there is the question of who should be the quarterback as well.
St. Louis Rams - The Rams are far too talented to be thinking about the first overall selection, but they have to be in this category since they have failed to win a football game this year. Age and injuries have certainly come into play and St. Louis showed signs of life in Week 8, so don't be surprised if the Rams rebound next year after bringing in an influx of talent this offseason.
