NFC WEST
The 49ers are showing why they’re one of the best teams in the NFC and NFL. When they’re healthy in key spots, they’re virtually unstoppable. They need all their players for three of the next four games against bird teams (at Eagles, Seahawks, and Ravens). Seattle might be crashing towards the end. Whatever the hype was, people forgot about their last six games. Those next six could send the Seahawks onto a platter for a New Year’s main course. The Rams are hanging in there and fighting for a playoff spot. How will they get there is completely up to them. Their last six games involve the Browns, Ravens, and 49ers. It’s definitely a stretch. The Cardinals are done for sure. Murray could showcase for 2024, but that’s about it.
NFC EAST
The division remains between Dallas and Philadelphia. Dallas continues winning games they’re supposed to but a win in their next five games could restart the…sigh…Super Bowl conversation once again. The Eagles survive and advance each week, but their next three games will be the most challenging to not only win the division, but also the overall seed again. They host the 49ers, travel to Dallas, and return to host Seattle. After escaping the Bills, they must ready up for the next two to three weeks of onslaught. The Giants haven’t fold yet, but the late schedule becomes challenging, including their two matchups with Philly in the last three weeks. Washington may have folded and need to figure out how they can fix their organization in the right direction for Sam Howell.
NFC NORTH
The finish to the NFC North gets very interesting. Detroit lost their second meeting to Green Bay, but at least they have a win against Chicago. The Lions could still win their ninth game to be in position for the division title, but their last six games are unpredictable. Green Bay netted their biggest win on their favorite holiday of the season. Winning three of the last four games mean they finally have something to this team. Their last five games in six weeks are 50/50. The Vikings were going somewhere with Josh Dobbs, but losing two straight means they can’t do it long term without Kirk Cousins. In two losses with Dobbs, he threw five interceptions. During his stint, he fumbled six times and lost three. Be cautious with the Passtronuat as their last five games become turbulent after their bye. Since the Bears’ Thursday Night football win, they won four games in eight weeks. It’s better than starting 0-4. The Josh Sweat addition helped impact the defense just a bit. If Justin can Field some sort of success down the stretch with less mistakes, maybe the Bears can finish on a positive note.
NFC SOUTH
The NFC South is farce again. The entire division is under .500 and none outside of Carolina will run away from each other. However, the Panthers are mathematically alive for the division title and are only 0-2 in their division so far. Their last four of six games are against division opponents along with Green Bay and Jacksonville. I have no idea who the Falcons, Saints, or Buccaneers are. Apparently, their weaknesses outweigh their advantages. Whatever the Saints are doing with their offense with Derek Carr, it isn’t working…coach Dennis Allen. Allen has all the options similar to the 49ers to confuse the opposition, but the staff doesn’t know what to do with them. The Bucs have a solid roster, but it is off overall. The offense and defense aren’t consistent, but the defense isn’t intimidating like they were years ago. The Falcons aren’t the strongest, but they aren’t the weakest either. A lot of their success is at home while they’re awful on the road. Unfortunately, they’re on the road in four of their last six games. However, they have the best shot to win the division if the coach can understand that he has Bijan Robinson and the deepest running back group to dismantle the NFC South opponents.
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