Clarity in the NFC

With five games left to play, there's enough football under everyone's belt to create an accurate profile of each team. That said, it should be easier for idiots like me to make predictions about who will or won't make the playoffs.

This season, there are alot of teams in the NFC around 5-6, 6-5, and I think most of them will finish at 8-8. Get ready for complicated tie breakers!!!!

Here's how I think the NFC playoff race will unfold.

NFC Playoff Definites

Dallas – (10-1) and Green Bay – (10-1) – These two teams are locked in for the playoffs and will be the NFC’s No. 1 & 2 seeds. Tomorrow’s game will determine who will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Likely to make the playoffs

Seattle – (7-4) – Looking at their schedule, they’ll probably finish no worse than 10-6. Playing the mediocre NFC West always makes them look better than they actually are.
Tampa Bay – (7-4) – As long as Jeff Garcia can return within the next game or two, they’ll make it to 10-6.

Who Knows?

NY Giants – (7-4) – Normally a team with a 7-4 record with five to play would be likely to make the playoffs. However, the Giants have made it a tradition to start strong and fade towards the end of the season. To make matters worse, their running game is decimated due to injuries, they have three road games left, and one of their home games is against the Patriots.
Philadelphia – (5-6) – This has been one of the most inconsistent teams in Andy Reid’s tenure. Perhaps his family problems are a disturbance to his coaching, or maybe he’s been a bad coach this whole time. The Patriots game was an aberration, New England clearly thought it was going to be another blowout.
Washington – (5-6) – I have no clue how they’re going to react to the Sean Taylor tragedy.
Detroit – (6-5) – Their playoff hopes are fading fast and I don’t like their chances.
Chicago – (5-6) – They just seem like an 8-8 team.
Minnesota – (5-6) – They could be the worst passing team to ever make the playoffs.
New Orleans – (5-6) – When Drew Brees is on his game, they’re one of the best offenses in the league. The Saints are also playing a lot better now that they’re not force feeding Reggie Bush the ball.
Arizona – (5-6) – Another unpredictable team, but that loss to San Francisco might be the one that keeps them home this year.

Final Prediction

1. Dallas
2. Green Bay
3. Seattle
4. Tampa Bay
5. New Orleans
6. Chicago

At Home – NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, Minnesota, Arizona, Carolina, Atlanta, San Francisco, St. Louis