The NFC playoff picture remains tough to calculate with five games remaining in the NFL season, as two divisions have three teams within one game of first place.
The New York Giants might have the best record in the NFC, but the Arizona Cardinals are the closest NFC team to clinching a playoff berth. With a win this week or a San Francisco loss, the Cardinals will clinch the NFC West title. If the Cardinals win the NFC West, it will be the franchise's first divisional title since 1975, when the Cardinals played in St. Louis. Arizona has not made the playoffs since 1998.
Carolina, Dallas, and the Giants face the NFC's toughest remaining schedules among the playoff contenders, while Arizona and Chicago face the NFC's weakest remaining schedules. The NFC playoff picture looks this way, through Week 12's games:
Division Leaders
- NY GIANTS 10-1. The defending Super Bowl champions look strong again, holding a three-game lead in the NFC East playoff picture. However, the Giants do not face a sub-.500 team the rest of the season. Key wins: Redskins, Cowboys, Cardinals. Key losses: None. Remaining opponents (33-21-1): at Redskins, vs Eagles, at Cowboys, vs Panthers, at Vikings.
- TAMPA BAY 8-3. The Buccaneers are tied with Carolina in the NFC South playoff picture. Tampa won the first meeting with the Panthers, 27-3. Key wins: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Panthers, Vikings. Key losses: Saints, Cowboys. Remaining (28-27): vs Saints, at Panthers, at Falcons, vs Chargers, vs Raiders.
- CAROLINA 8-3. The Panthers face one of the toughest remaining schedules among NFC teams. They cannot afford another loss to Tampa Bay when the two play again Dec. 8. Key wins: Bears, Falcons, Saints, Cardinals. Key losses: Vikings, Bucs, Falcons. Remaining (35-20): at Packers, vs Bucs, vs Broncos, at Giants, at Saints.
- ARIZONA 7-4. The Cardinals have a four-game lead with five to play in the NFC West playoff picture, the biggest divisional lead in all of football. Key wins: Cowboys, 49ers (twice). Key losses: Redskins, Panthers, Giants. Remaining (22-32-1): at Eagles, vs Rams, vs Vikings, at Patriots, vs Seahawks.
- CHICAGO 6-5. With three teams within a game of the lead, the NFC North playoff picture is muddled. Chicago will travel to Minnesota this week with first place on the line. Key wins: Eagles, Vikings. Key losses: Panthers, Bucs, Falcons, Packers. Remaining (25-30): at Vikings, vs Jaguars, vs Saints, vs Packers, at Texans.
- MINNESOTA 6-5. Having already lost one game to the Bears, the Vikings desperately need a win at home against Chicago this week to avoid a disadvantageous tie-breaker scenario. Key wins: Panthers, Saints, Packers. Key losses: Packers, Bears, Bucs. Remaining (30-25): vs Bears, at Lions, at Cardinals, vs Falcons, vs Giants.
Wild-Card Challengers
- WASHINGTON 7-4. Difficult games the next two weeks against the Giants and Ravens could decide Washington's playoff fate. Key wins: Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys, Eagles. Key losses: Giants, Cowboys. Remaining (26-27-2): vs Giants, at Ravens, at Bengals, vs Eagles, at 49ers.
- DALLAS 7-4. The Cowboys have won two straight games since quarterback Tony Romo returned from injury, and they'll need him over a tough four-game stretch to close the season. Key wins: Eagles, Packers, Bucs, Redskins. Key losses: Redskins, Cardinals, Giants. Remaining (32-22-1): vs Seahawks, at Steelers, vs Giants, vs Ravens, at Eagles.
- ATLANTA 7-4. After a dismal 2007, the Falcons find themselves in the thick of the playoff picture with a manageable schedule down the stretch. Key wins: Packers, Bears, Saints, Panthers. Key losses: Bucs, Panthers, Eagles. Remaining (26-29): at Chargers, at Saints, vs Bucs, at Vikings, vs Rams.
- NEW ORLEANS 6-5. The Saints might be in last place in the NFC South, but they're only two games out of first, and they play all three divisional teams ahead of them down the stretch. Key wins: Bucs, Packers. Key losses: Redskins, Vikings, Panthers, Falcons. Remaining (29-26): at Bucs, vs Falcons, at Bears, at Lions, vs Panthers.
The Others
- Philadelphia 5-5-1
- Green Bay 5-6 (The Packers are just one game out of first in the NFC North.)
- San Francisco 3-8
- Seattle 2-9
- St. Louis 2-9
- Detroit 0-11
The copyright of the article NFC Playoff Picture, Week 12 in National Football League (NFL) is owned by Kyle Schurman. Permission to republish NFC Playoff Picture, Week 12 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
