NFL: State Of The NFC With 5 Weeks Remaining

Well, I can’t hold off any longer. Every year I lecture people who want to start putting up Christmas decorations and watching holiday-themed movies right after Labor Day. My theory is that you’re not allowed to do anything like that until after Thanksgiving.

Well, here we are. Feel free to get after it. I hope you’re happy.

Anyway, the time after Thanksgiving means we’re heading into the stretch run of the NFL regular season. And COVID-19 be damned, the league is going to get to the end of the schedule no matter what it takes. Fair enough.

That being said, let’s take a look at how the NFC division races are shaping up.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

NFC EAST

Giants: 4-7 record

People have been going on and on about how much progress this team has made after starting 0-5, and it’s true, they have come far under new coach Joe Judge. However, their quarterback Daniel Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury and it’s difficult to pick them to last long in the top spot if Jones is forced to miss time.

Washington FT: 4-7

Ron Rivera was right earlier this season when he said his team was still in the race despite their ugly record. Fast forward to present day and they’re coming off a blowout win over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

Eagles: 3-7-1

Can we stop with the “bench Carson Wentz” nonsense? Have you seen his contract? Wentz is tied to Philadelphia for a few years to come, no matter what. I have an easier time imagining head coach Doug Pederson and GM Howie Roseman being shown the door before Wentz is sent packing. That being said, the Eagles are still in the race, but come on, where is this team going?

Cowboys: 3-8

Just like the Eagles and everyone else in this division, they’re still in the hunt for a playoff spot. They shouldn’t be, because they’re terrible. That fake punt they failed to pull off showed an entire nation full of turkey and wine how inept they are.

NFC North

Packers: 8-3

They’re in the driver’s seat in the division as they have a three-game lead over the team below them. And if you look at their remaining schedule, they have three winnable games before they face the Titans. Then they close against the Bears, a team they just put up 45 points against last week.

Vikings: 5-6

Minnesota has won four of its last five games after starting the season with a 1-5 record. And while their chances at a division title are slim, barring an epic Packers collapse, they’re still very much in the hunt for the postseason as they sit just a game behind the Cardinals for the final wild card spot. The good news is Dalvin Cook is running the ball like a beast and Kirk Cousins has shaken off his early season struggles.

Chicago: 5-6

Another team that’s just a game out of a playoff spot, but while the Vikings are on the rise, Chicago is cratering. Remember, the Bears started 5-1. Since then? They’re 0-5. And Mitch Trubisky is back under center. Oof.

Lions: 4-7

Not only did they fire their coach, but players who were gotten rid of by Matt Patricia and fired GM Bob Quinn openly celebrated the move on Twitter. Again, they’re not far out of the playoff picture, but they still need to play the Packers, Titans, Buccaneers and Vikings down the stretch. So, yes, the Lions are done.

NFC South

Saints: 9-2

With everyone marveling at how the Saints have won two games without Drew Brees, people are overlooking their defense. They haven’t allowed more than 13 points in four consecutive games. They’re a game ahead of the Seahawks for the top seed in the NFC and other than a challenging matchup at home against the Chiefs, they have a very good chance at getting the conference’s lone playoff bye.

Buccaneers: 7-5

Who’s in charge here? According to the roster, Bruce Arians is the head coach, but he just told the media this week that Tom Brady has been calling the offensive plays. Sigh. This team has been a lightning rod and their chances at a division crown look grim since they’re two games back of New Orleans plus the tiebreaker because the Bucs lost to the Saints both times this season. But they’re in control of a wild card spot and their final four games include two against the Falcons and one against the Lions. The Bucs will be fine.

Falcons: 4-7

Raheem Morris is making his case to be the next permanent head coach in Atlanta as the Falcons have won three of their last four games. However, they still have the Saints, Chiefs and two games against the Bucs left to go. Start thinking about 2021.

Panthers: 4-8

Don’t sleep on what Matt Rhule has accomplished in his first year in Carolina. They’ve played in several close games and their defense is starting to take shape. It will be interesting to see what the Panthers do to improve their roster this offseason.

NFC WEST

Seahawks: 8-3

Just a game behind the Saints for the top seed in the NFC. And what’s encouraging is the Seahawks defense is finally able to get some stops. That’s all it takes. Here’s more good news: Other than the Rams, the teams left on their schedule are a combined 13-31.

Rams: 7-4

Hopefully, their stink bomb against the Niners in Week 12 was their last disaster game of the season. And while people like to say Kyle Shanahan has Sean McVay’s number, it’s really 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh who created headaches for the Rams offense. Here’s a positive: The Rams don’t have to face San Francisco again … until possibly the playoffs.

Cardinals: 6-5

They’re taken a bit of a dip as it appears that the league has kinda figured out Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. They’ve got a hold on that final wild card spot, but it feels like that’s slipping through their grip with every passing week.

49ers: 5-6

If they can play the kind of defense they did against the Rams, they’re a threat to make the postseason. It doesn’t matter who San Francisco has playing quarterback. It also helped that the team got RB Raheem Mostert back last week.

LINGERING QUESTIONS

Did the Seahawks offense need more help?

Not sure if they needed it, but they got it as the NFL has reinstated oft-suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon. The latter will be able to play the final two games of the regular season and into the playoffs. If there’s one place Seattle is solid, it’s at wide receiver. Adding Gordon to the mix is a nice insurance policy to have.

How bad is Kyler Murray’s shoulder?

You have to admire his guts as he’s continued to play since he hurt his shoulder in Week 11 against the Seahawks. But watching him in last week’s loss to New England, it was clear that he wasn’t taking any chances of making the injury worse. He returned to full practice on Thursday, but one can’t help but be nervous about the prospect of him facing a fierce Rams defense on Sunday. Here’s hoping nothing bad happens.

Are the Packers for real?

That’s the real question, isn’t it? Sure, when Green Bay’s offense is going right, it’s fun to watch. When Mike Pettine’s defense can’t stop anyone, it’s a lot less fun. However, despite their doubters, the only truly bad game they had was against the Bucs. Their other two losses were by nine points combined. They have a good chance of winning at least a game in the playoffs and if they get the right matchup, can be a Super Bowl team.

Will Robert Saleh get a head coaching job?

I sang the 49ers defensive coordinator’s praises up above and it’s becoming clear that he needs to take the next step. And I’m not the only one who feels that way. A group of lawmakers in Michigan wrote an open letter to the Lions asking them to hire Saleh as their next head coach. And it seems like a perfect fit. He’s a Michigan native who played college football at Northern Michigan University. If the Lions are smart, they’ll make the move. Then again, it’s the Lions, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they bungled this hire.

NFC AWARDS PICKS

Pick for MVP: Russell Wilson, Seahawks

Look, Pat Mahomes pretty much has the NFL MVP locked up, but if we had to nominate someone from the NFC, then it’s Wilson, despite a couple subpar performances in recent weeks. The Seahawks are in contention for the No. 1 seed, but if they didn’t have Wilson, they’d be competing for a top five pick in the draft.

Rookie of the year: Justin Jefferson, Vikings

The wide receiver was a highly touted prospect coming out of LSU and he’s lived up to his reputation. He has 52 catches for 918 yards and 6 touchdowns, all while averaging 17.7 yards per reception. He’s a home run threat who will only get better and better.

Defensive player of the year: Jalen Ramsey, Rams

People raised their eyebrows when L.A. gave him a big contract this past offseason, but those brows aren’t raised anymore. Ramsey can lock down the best receivers in the league and has transformed the Rams secondary into an elite unit. Worth every penny.

Coach of the year: Kyle Shanahan, 49ers

How this team is still in playoff contention is beyond me. San Francisco’s roster has been ravaged by injuries and people coming down with COVID-19. Even though he’s coming off a season when he reached the Super Bowl, this might be his finest coaching job. Kudos to him.