NFC Playoff Predictions
Unlike in the AFC, the NFC still has a couple spots up for grabs next week. The NFC North will be decided by a head to head matchup between the Packers and Lions. The second wild card spot is down to the loser of that game, Washington, or Tampa Bay, depending on how the games play out. The 2nd seed is also up for grabs week 17. The last two weeks we had the same predictions, which went Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, Green Bay, New York, Detroit. Let’s take a look at where things stand now, and our predictions heading into the final week.
NFC North division title: When at 4-6, Aaron Rodgers declared the Packers could run the table for the division. Five wins and no losses later, they are in a prime position to do just that. Each of the last two weeks when we rolled out our predictions, we said the Packers would indeed run the table and win the division, and we are sticking with that this week. The Packers are one of the hottest teams in football, and will beat Detroit for the division.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Wild Card: At this point, New York has locked up the 5th seed, as no wild card team has the ability to get to 10 wins to match them. The 2nd wild card spot will come down to Detroit (if they lose vs the Packers), Washington, and Tampa Bay. Whether it is Detroit or Green Bay in this spot, they will be 9-7. Washington is currently 8-6-1 and faces New York week 17. Tampa Bay is 8-7 and faces Carolina week 17. Will New York rest starters because they have nothing to play for? Or will they take pride in knocking their division rival out of the playoffs? If Washington wins they are in, but that may be a tough task vs New York. The guess right now is that New York ends up resting starters at some point making things easier for Washington, and Washington gets the win and 2nd wild card spot.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
This week our final predictions are switched up a little bit from the past two weeks. Going into week 17, our predictions will be:
1) Dallas
2) Atlanta
3) Seattle
4) Green Bay
5) New York
6) Washington
How do you think the final spots will be filled after week 17? Will Atlanta get the 2nd seed? Will Washington get the wild card spot? Will Green Bay win the North? Comment and let us know! Stay tuned for more current sports stories. Don't forget to follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram @beyondthemetrics, and Twitter @byondthemetrics
