FanPost

After Week 15: NFC Playoff picture

There is some confusion about this amongst different blogs and article writers (to do with Dallas, Atlanta & Tampa all 9-5). Here's the situation (i formatted it for ease of finding your team);

West

Arizona has clinched the division.

South

Carolina has a two-game lead over Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Because the Panthers would not win a tiebreaker with either team, Carolina needs one win or one loss from both teams to clinch the division.

In the event of a three-way 11-5 tie, Tampa Bay and Atlanta would be in an extremely close Strength of Victory battle for the division title. Atlanta couldn’t win Strength of Victory, but could tie, and, with help from Dallas losing, could win based on Strength of Schedule.

North

Minnesota holds a one-game lead over Chicago, as well as the tiebreaker advantage. So one Vikings win or one Bears loss gives the Vikings the division championship.

East

The New York Giants have clinched the division.

Wild Card

The wild-card standings are as follows: Dallas, Tampa Bay and Atlanta are at 9-5, Chicago is at 8-6, Philadelphia is at 7-5-1 and plays Monday and Washington is at 7-7. New Orleans is eliminated at 7-7.

Dallas and Tampa Bay control their own destiny. Atlanta needs a loss by either team to control its own destiny. In a three-way tie with Dallas and Tampa Bay, Atlanta can not gain a Strength of Victory advantage over the Buccaneers, and if that were a tie, the Falcons would lose on Strength of Schedule.

In the event of a mutli-team 10-6 tie for the Wild Card, Tampa Bay holds a huge advantage based on conference record.

<em>This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.</em>