Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Packers.......2 Spots

Before we start Carolina, San Francisco and Chicago are all at 4-5 and still in the playoff picture but besides the recent success of the Panthers there is little evidence to suggest a run from any of these three.

Giants- Hellish remaining schedule including Atlanta, Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas in the next four weeks and Minnesota (likely Vikings will have clinched and will be licking their wounds and preparing for the playoffs by this point however). Three of the next four are at home which could save them but remember that their five wins are against Oakland, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Dallas (early in season before their recently ended eruption), and Washington. Combined record 14-31 with most of their wins coming against each other. I think everyone is interested to see how this team responds after the bye week.

Eagles- In the past Andy Reid has had streaky teams that got hot during the end of the year. Their next two games are against the Bears and Redskins, which are both great candidates to get your team clicking again....especially after back to back losses. These wins could help propel them through the last part of their schedule which gets significantly harder.

Falcons- If this team wins the games it should, they will probably make the playoffs. Tampa Bay 2x, Jets, and Bills. Tough part will be surviving in next four in which they play Giants, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. Giving up two games against competing wild card teams could hurt them but last three games are winnable and could make a late comeback in this race.

Packers- Easiest schedule of the four and the only team that is left out of the round robin of 5-4 teams. Which means they do not have to go directly through any of these teams to slip into the playoffs. Easy and hard games alternate fairly evenly, making their remaining schedule less like a gauntlet that could run them into the ground with three straight losses.

Prediction: Packers and Eagles will make the playoffs of these four teams with Philly winning a tiebreaker over the Falcons. Best chance at playoffs for a non 5 win team is San Francisco.