NFC Playoff Picture

BY EVAN SPORER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS


With one more week in the books, the playoffs grow even closer.

And with the 2010-11 postseason quickly approaching, certain teams are vying for position, others are fighting for their playoff lives, and the rest are trying to prove they have what it takes. Where does your team sit?

In a Class of their Own:

Atlanta Falcons

Seems like these Falcons are on a collision course to meet the Patriots in Dallas come February. Like the Pats, the Falcons have played lights out at home, and clinching home field advantage could go a long way for the Falcon’s high-powered offense. 

Matty Ice is coming into his own in his third season in the league, and should get some MVP consideration. His main target, Roddy White, leads the NFC in receiving yards, and the entire league in receptions. Ryan and White’s chemistry is key to the Falcons success. 

Then there’s Michael Turner, who has eclipsed the 1,000 yard plateau after a down season in ‘09, and his ability to run the ball along with backup Jason Snelling has opened up the pass game even more for Ryan. 

So what could cage these Faclons? 

Both of this teams losses have come on the road, outside of the Georgia Dome. Also, this team has been susceptible to the long pass, with a secondary that ranks 25th in the NFL.

Can the Falcons beat the better teams the NFL has to offer? Sure, they have put up big wins against Baltimore, Green Bay, and a big win IN New Orleans. But on the flip side, the team fell flat against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. 

A Week 16 matchup versus New Orleans should tell us a lot about these Falcons. For now, they sure look like the best the NFC has to offer. 

In the Clear:

Philadelphia Eagles

These aren’t the Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook Eagles of yester-year. 

No, these Eagles are all about the big play, in their quick-strike pseudo West coast offense. Andy Reid has certainly done an excellent job drawing up plays that take advantage of his offense’s speed. These Eagles are just plain fun to watch. 

Obviously Michael Vick is the catalyst. Despite his rejuvenation as a passer, Vick’s seven rushing touchdowns mark a career high. Vick has shown major progress in the pocket, and with vertical options like DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin, what’s not to like? 

Injuries have plagued the Eagles’ secondary. Asante Samuel has missed three games, although he is now healthy. However, it seems like the question won’t be how many stops the Eagles get, but how many stops their opponents can muster on defense. 

What it comes down to? 

Can Vick stay healthy? This guy has been taking a pounding outside of the pocket, already suffering some broken ribs. Let’s just say Kevin Kolb is no Michael Vick.  The Eagles would love to finish second in the NFC and ensure they get a home game in the playoffs.

Besides, everyone saw what happened when the Eagles were forced into the cold in Week 12. Their offense went into hibernation against the Bears in a lopsided defeat. 

Chicago Bears

Da Bears. The best thing about this team? They win football games the way that gets you playing through February: with their defense. 

The offense has not been consistent enough to write home about. Despite having the mad scientist Mike Martz calling the shots, the pass and run games rank 25th and 26th respectively. 

Jay Cutler gets sacked… a lot. Too much. Protecting the quarterback will be key for the Bears come playoff time. Cutler has been sacked 43 times in 12 games. That won’t cut it in the post season. 

So obviously for the Bears it comes down to the defense. They are third in points allowed, and second against the rush. However, the Bears secondary ranks 18th in the league, and as we know, this is a quarterback’s league. The Bears will need improved play from their secondary to make any noise in the playoffs. 

And of course, this team needs to muster some offense. Where will it come from? If Cutler can stay on his feet long enough, Devin Hester and Johnny Knox can be dynamic in the pass game with their speed and ability to gain yards after the catch. But Matt Forte will need to run the ball more effectively to provide Cutler that cushion in the pocket. 

Big upcoming matchups against the Jets and Packers could go a long way in where the Bears finish in the NFC. 

Fighting for Position:

New Orleans Saints

The champs are (still) here. Despite both a tough loss last week to the Ravens and being overshadowed by the NFC leading Flacons, the Saints sport a 10-4 record and look pretty good for the number five seed in the NFC.

No one wants to play this team in the playoffs; they are the defending champs, and will play with that swagger. But, these are not last year’s Saints, and the biggest advantage the 2010 NFC teams may hold over the Saints is knowing the defending champs are now mortal. 

Unfortunately for the NFC, Drew Brees is still… Drew Brees. He is exceptional in the pocket, and has just enough mobility to keep plays alive.

But the big problem with the 2010 Saints is the running game – which this year, compared to last, has been non-existent. Reggie Bush was lost for a good portion to the season due to a broken leg, Pierre Thomas has been limited to five games with a bum ankle, and rookie Chris Ivory has been thrust into the lineup. And it shows, as the run ranks 26th in the league. 

This team plays the pass well of defense, but their inability to stop the run may be their undoing. 

When it gets cold, teams tend hand the ball off, and the Saints will need to figure out a way to stop opposing team’s ground attack if they want to hoist the Lombardi trophy once again. 

New York Giants

What a let down last week was.

Probably the most inconsistent, but also still the most intriguing team in the playoff picture. The Giants are loaded with talent, but, at times, shoot themselves in the foot with stupid mistakes. 

But like the Bears, the Giants play defense. That is their identity. New defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has these Giants reenergized and looking like the 2007 Super Bowl champs. 

The defense leads the league in takeaways, but the offense leads the league in giveaways. If Eli can curb his interceptions, however, this team can be dangerous. 

Second in the league rushing the football, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are formidable against any defense. The real question come January for the Giants is can they play smart football? 

Losing Steve Smith for the season is huge, but Derek Hagan has filled in nicely. It would probably surprise most that the Giants boast the third best offense in the league in terms of yardage. 

But again, the dagger -- Eli Manning has thrown 26 interceptions, a career high. When was the last time he threw that many INT’s? Oh, just 2007, the year the Giants won it all. This team has the same tools as the ’07 squad, and could be a serious dark horse in how the NFC plays out.

Or, they could play undisciplined football, and fizzle out early. 

On the Bubble:

Green Bay Packers 

Aaron Rodgers who? 

Matt Flynn was supposed to lay down in Week 15 against the Pats, but instead, played 59 minutes of stellar football, as the Packers lost in an inspired effort on a late hiccup. This team plays every game like it’s their last, a direct product of Coach Mike McCarthy. 

Obviously the major concern right now is the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But this guy is a stud; he can make every throw on the field, and is asked to throw a lot, attempting over 30 passes per game. But if he is concussed on the sidelines, the Pack can kiss any playoff chance goodbye. 

After Ryan Grant went down in their first game of this season, this team became very one-dimensional, something that could hurt their postseason chances big time. Their rushing attack now ranks 24th in the league, and teams can key in on Rodgers defensively and almost ignore the run completely. 

What could propel this team that currently sits outside the playoff picture? This is an impact defense. McCarthy has these guys spend the end of practice work on stripping the ball, and the first thing this unit has in mind is to take the ball away. 

The run game came out of nowhere against the Pats, piling up 143 total yards. If Jackson and the hard-nosed John Kuhn can produce like that on a regular basis, teams will be forced to load the box against Rodgers, freeing up some space in the secondary. 

So, A-Rodge, get some good rest, watch some Jersey Shore, and relax. Get your head in a good place. You’re going to need it there against the Giants defense in what is basically a play-in game next week. If the Giants win, they clinch a playoff spot. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As a technicality, I have to include the Bucs in this group. But, talk about being a product of your schedule? The Bucs are 8-6, and their eight victories come against opponents with a combined record of 32-79. 

Their schedule has been a joke, and when they’ve lined up against a good opponent, the Bucs have fallen flat. This team missed their chance to go into a tie for sixth place in the NFC with a home loss against the Lions last week (which snapped the Lions NFL record 26-straight road losses). 

Talk about a loss that destroys confidence. With games remaining against the Seahawks and Saints, the Bucs will have to go 2-0 to make the playoffs, and somehow pull off a miracle upset in the Superdome. 

But this team does do a lot well, for all their undoings.

One, they run the ball pretty consistently, and are top ten in the league on the ground. Two, they’ve gotten pretty good play from second-year QB Josh Freeman.

But defensively, these are not the John Gruden Bucs that won the super bowl not so long ago. This team surrenders nearly 350 yards per game, and does not play postseason style defense. 

Plainly put, the ship might have sunk for these Buccaneers. 

The Mild, Mild West:

The funny thing is, three teams in this division are still alive, all of which with records below .500 entering Week 16. Even the lowly San Francisco 49ers have a shot with their current record of 5-9. 

So, without taking any further cheap-shots at these sub par teams, lets take a look at who might come away with the NFC West crown…

…. Those Niners

Two big divisional games coming up for the Niners. They’ll play at the St. Louis Rams, and then wrap things up at home against the Arizona Cardinals. This is a team that controls their own destiny. Unfortunately, with the loss of Frank Gore for this season, this teams destiny may not be the playoffs. 

… Those Rams

Rookie quarterbacks aren’t supposed to lead their teams to the playoffs…right? Well, whether it has been the leadership of Sam Bradford, or the ineptitude of the entire division, the Rams could be on track to make the playoffs for the first time since the Greatest Show on Turf. Stephen Jackson is the best offensive player in the division, and needs to play like it down the stretch to get the Rams in. 

Oh, and an away game Week 17 against co-division leaders the Seattle Seahawks could go a long way in their playoff hopes also. Speaking of...

…. Those Seahawks 

It would be a feel good story if Pete Carroll made his return to the NFL by leading these lowly Hawks to the playoffs. Unfortunately, this team has to travel to Tampa to face a Buccaneer team also fighting for a playoff spot. 

So what will it take? Uh…a lot.

This team is not in the top half of the league in any major offensive or defensive categories. So how will the Seahawks get into the playoffs? A miracle… or, maybe just a weak NFC West. 

But probably a miracle.