For the East title the Eagles take on the Romo-less Cowboys. Nick Foles continues to look strong and having the NFL's leading rusher doesn't hurt very much either. On the flip side Kyle Orton will get the start with the ailing Romo being put on the IR. Earlier in the season Dallas won in Philadelphia 17-3 however the Cowboy's defense is one of the worst in the league and Matt Barkley was the starter for the Eagles at that time.
Prediction: Eagles over Cowboys 38-14
Over in the NFC North Aaron Rodgers is coming back just in time for the Packers and Bears game for all the marbles. In their last meeting the Bears went into the frozen tundra and pulled out the W. Many things have changed in just that short while, Jay Cutler is back, as well as Rodgers.
Prediction: Green Bay over Bears 24-21
The NFC West will come down too two games. The Rams travel to play the Seahawks who came off the year's biggest shocker against the Cardinals, while the 49ers travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals. Coming off such a big win I don't think the Cardinals will falter in this second game against the 49ers. Being embarrassed at home for the first time in two years I also don't think the Seahawks fall twice in the same year there.
Prediction: Seahawks over Rams35-7
Cardinals over 49ers 27-21
Seahawks win the west and clinch the #1 seed.
The Panthers need a win or a Saints loss to the Buccaneers to clinch the NFC south. If the Saints lose to the Bucs and the Cardinals beat the 49ers the Saints would be eliminated at 10-6. The Cardinals can still miss the playoffs at 11-5 if the Saints beat the Bucs.
Prediction for the NFC playoffs: #1 Seattle Seahawks
#2 Carolina Panthers
#3 Philadelphia Eagles
#4 Green Bay Packers
#5 San Francisco 49ers
#6 New Orleans Saints
The easiest team to explain out of all 4 is the Steelers. They need to win and have the other three lose. San Diego needs to win or tie and have everyone else lose or tie. The Ravens are the only team that can lose and still get in. Lastly Miami gets in with a win or tie and losses by everyone else.
Prediction for the AFC playoffs: #1 Denver Broncos
#2 New England Patriots
#3 Indianapolis Colts
#4 Cincinnati Bengals
#5 Kansas City Chiefs
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have the only matchup with a consistently weak team in the Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins would be my second choice since they are playing the Jets but you never really know what to expect in that team. The Ravens are playing the Bengals who are still trying to prove themselves and I do not think they lose that game. The Chargers play a tough Chiefs team who have been lighting up the scoreboard the last 2 weeks.