Devonta Freeman helping Atlanta Falcons’ playoff push, and what’s going on with Roddy White?
Nov 16, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) and Carolina Panthers defensive back Colin Jones (42) fight during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
2. The NFC South will send two teams to the playoffs
I wrote earlier in the week that there is a strong possibility the NFC South sends two teams to the playoffs this year, and you only have to look around the NFC to see why. While the Falcons and Panthers keep racking up victories, just about every other contender for a wild-card berth stumbles.
There are tough challenges ahead for both teams, but the schedule is far less daunting than the other NFC high-flyers, and it’s entirely possible both play in the postseason.
One of these two teams is going to win the NFC South, which will leave two wild-card spots in the NFC for the runner-up to take. We can assume one of the Arizona Cardinals or Seattle Seahawks will earn one of them, but given the brutal schedules both teams face, this is far from guaranteed. The Rams are proving to be a stumbling block in the division alone.
Add in the fact these two teams play each other twice this season, and also play St. Louis again means the road to the playoffs will be a tough one. Both teams still have to play Cincinnati and Minnesota, and Arizona hosts Green Bay in December.
Speaking of Green Bay, the first quarter of the season gives no reason to believe they won’t win the NFC North four the fifth year in a row. Chicago (1-3) and Detroit (0-4) are well out of playoff contention, which leaves Minnesota (2-2) to compete for a wild card berth.
Mike Zimmer’s Vikings are talented enough to get there, but the schedule features a number of daunting dates. Two games with the Packers and contests with the Cardinals and Seahawks will make it tough to get in, especially given they have already lost twice.
And then we have the NFC East. It’s hard to see more than one team getting out of this division. The Cowboys are struggling without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, and will probably slip to 2-3 against the Patriots this week. The Eagles are a mess at 1-3. The Giants have talent without the consistency, and the Redskins’ quarterback issue will prevent them from getting there.
And then there is the undefeated Falcons and Panthers, tied atop the NFC South. There are tough challenges ahead for both teams, but the schedule is far less daunting than the other NFC high-flyers, and it’s entirely possible both play in the postseason.
Next: Cam being Cam