NFC Teams Ranking in Battle for Wild Card slots: Panthers, Saints all slip after strong start

The 2021 playoff picture is starting to take shape with 12 weeks of NFL games in the books. And NFC, in particular, is set to host a circus of a wild card race, with nearly a dozen teams likely to battle across three post-season stops. With Week 13 approaching, which team looks the most formidable in the race? We’re testing their entire group.

Find the current NFC division leaders below, as well as our ranking of the current wild card contenders:

Current NFC Division Leaders

These could obviously change between now and the end of the season, but for now, they’re locked down:

1. Quantity (9-2)
2. Packers (9-3)
3. Buccaneers (8-3)
4. Cowboys (7-4)

NFC wildcard candidate, ranked

Here’s how we sort out the obvious candidates, but just keep in mind No.3 of these can actually make it to the knockout round:

first. Rams (7-4)

Remaining schedule: compare to Jaguar, at the Cardinals, versus the Seahawks, at Vikings, at Ravens, compared to 49ers

Official can be interested in them, especially in the center, where Matthew Stafford now constantly reminding people of the shortcomings that befell him in Detroit. But the talent is still too obvious here to dismiss them. Keep in mind these are Wild Card contenders, not No. 1 seed contenders. And Sean McVay’s roster could still struggle next January.

2. 49ers (6-5)

Remaining schedule: at the Seahawks, at Bengali, compared to Falcons, at Titan, compare to Texans, at Rams

Abandoned after failing four games before Halloween, they quickly turned the tide thanks to Kyle Shanahan relying more on innovative ground-play and less Jimmy Garoppolo’s arm. Deebo Samuel and Fred Warner The drop could cap their cap for the next few weeks, but Jimmy G has at least been here before. They feel pretty bad right now.

3. Vikings (5-6)

Remaining schedule: at Lions, vs. Steelsmith, at the Bears, versus the Rams, at the Packers, versus the Bears

Yes, Mike Zimmer’s rights of protection still matter and now Dalvin Cook is expected to sit out at least two matches. But they will be combined as long as Kirk Cousin keep throwing to Justin Jefferson. Serious. Their offense, when healthy, is more explosive than you might think. That alone is enough to keep them steady all the way to the finish line.

4. Washington (5-6)

Remaining schedule: in Raiders, versus Cowboys, at Eagles, at Cowboys, versus Eagles, at Giants

Taylor Heinicke overplay Russell Wilson during the prime time to limit Week 12, and importantly, Ron Rivera’s defense was very much present for most of the night. It will, however, tell you something, that Washington has dominated “Monday Night Football” and still – in many cases – nearly lost control of the game during the crisis.

5. Eagle (5-7)

Remaining schedule: in Jet plane, BYE WEEK, vs. WFT, vs. Giants, at WFT, vs. Cowboys

Jalen Hurts fold in real time while trying to show his arm against the Giant, with assistance from Jalen Reagor and a training officer who waited too long to run away. But if they just follow what works, they can still manage a relatively light schedule. The defeat may or may not be long-term QB1, but he has proven that he can win matches if he prioritizes ground matches.

6. Saints (5-6)

Remaining schedule: versus the Cowboys, at the Jets, at the Buccaneers, vs. Dolphin, versus the Panthers, at Falcons

Now then Taysom Hill seems to be taking center stage, they have a legitimate chance to compete again. Of course, it helps Alvin Kamara and Ryan Ramczyk are also returning to the field. They look like they died in the water on Thanksgiving against Receipt, but the minute you write Sean Payton off, the minute he steals attention.

7. Eagle (5-6)

Remaining schedule: against the Buccaneers, at the Panthers, at the 49ers, against the Lions, at the Bills, against the Saints

Cordarelle Patterson for MVP, anyone? We didn’t buy them to run, but they certainly played spoilers a few times.

8. Panthers (5-7)

Remaining schedule: BYE WEEK, versus Falcons, at Bills, versus Buccaneers, at Saints, at Buccaneers

So it turns out, when you use Orange Newton Much more than a runner is designed today, things don’t always go well. Their defence still has some pieces to make noise, but they need to be a ground-based team, and now Christian McCaffrey complete.

Not quite good enough

Technically, these teams aren’t out of the mix, but they’ve had an amazingly steep climb to the post-season picture:

• Giant (4-7): Good for them against the Eagles, but they tried really hard to subdue “W.”
• Bear (4-7): Don’t trust Matt Nagy and this squad will steer the ship when they’re not playing the Lions.
• Seahawks (3-8): Too little, too late from Russell Wilson, who clearly got in the way both mentally and physically.

Dead

Exactly what it says. These people looked ahead to 2022:

• Lion (0-10-1): Dan Campbell, at least your team is consistent.

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