The Red Zone Report

After already discussing the AFC Playoff Picture in great detail (here), it’s time for a rundown over the NFC before Thursday’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars muddles this entire playoff race yet again.

To recap, the following NFC teams have been officially eliminated from 2009 playoff contention:

Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams

For the top teams seeded for the playoffs heading into Week 15, read on, followed by the teams on the outside looking in:

NFC

1. New Orleans Saints

The Saints enter Week 15′s match-up with the Dallas Cowboys at 13-0, and are reportedly fully committed to ending the season at 16-0.

New Orleans is bringing a strong offense into the post-season, regardless of what happens in their final three games, as they have already clinched their division, as well as a first round bye.

While there are few issues with their league-leading offense, it is their suspect defense that may end up being their downfall. Their ultimate success likely hinges to their run defense getting back to respectability, while the impact of their pass defense is hinged to an improved front line aiding the secondary.

Even at 13-0, the Saints have a lot of issues on defense that could come back to haunt them.

Verdict: Already Declared NFC South champions, and guaranteed First Round Bye.

2. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota stands at 11-2, and with the return of star corner Antoine Winfield, is quite possibly the most balanced team in the league. They can dominate teams through the air and on the ground on offense, are elite against the run and rushing the passer, and have solid special teams play.

The Vikings still have two road trips against the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears, as well as a home game against the New York Giants, but there is a strong possibility they will finish 14-2 as they contend with New Orleans going into Week 17 for home-field advantage.

Verdict: NFC North Champions, First Round Bye.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have detached themselves from the inconsistency that was plaguing them earlier in the year, and at 9-4, appear to have complete control of their destiny, as well as their division.

However, as good as they have been, and as nice as the position is that they’re in, their 2009 playoff hopes will likely come down to a road trip against Dallas in Week 17.

With reasonably tough games against the 49ers and Broncos before that match-up, it’s entirely possible that they miss the playoffs.

Verdict: NFC East champions

4. Arizona Cardinals

The 8-5 Cardinals showed two weeks ago against the Minnesota Vikings exactly what they’re capable of, but then showed last week against the 49ers that they can just a easily be dominated if they are forced into mistakes.

The Cardinals still aren’t guaranteed their division or the playoffs, especially since the 49ers own the series lead, which means if both teams finish 9-7, the 49ers would win the division, and the Cards would miss the playoffs.

As magical as that scenario could be, it’s unlikely to happen. The Cardinals won’t miss a step in the next two weeks against the Lions and Rams, and should put it all on the line against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, as a win could potentially give them the third seed in the playoffs.

Verdict: NFC West champions

5. Green Bay Packers

The Packers have been impressive in their five-game winning streak, boosting their record from a .500 team that appeared to be lost, to a 9-4 team on the brink of getting back to the playoffs.

However, they must first defeat both of last year’s Super Bowl representatives, as well as a game against the Seattle Seahawks sandwiched in the middle.

With two of their three games being on the road, Green Bay will have it tough in trying to get back to the post-season.

Verdict: Wild Card

6. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have a tough road in trying to get back to the post-season, as they travel to New Orleans to take on the undefeated New Orleans Saints in Week 15, and then have two divisional contests to end the season, including a tough match with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.

Despite all the talk about another “December Meltdown”, the Cowboys have actually been playing well overall, and have merely dropped two straight close games to one decent team (New York Giants), and a title contender (San Diego Charg ers).

However, Tony Romo and co. will be able to show their true worth in three huge games, as Dallas will likely have to win out, or at least win their final two games, to have a shot at the playoffs.

With the Giants, who own the season series (2-0) right behind them, there is little room for error.

Verdict: Staying Home

On the Outside, Looking In

7. New York Giants

New York has been getting a lot of flak all season for starting 5-0, teasing everyone, and dropping six of their next eight to stand at 7-6.

Despite their inconsistency, the Giants still own the season series with the Dallas Cowboys, and are a game out of the final playoff spot.

With two winnable games against the Redskins and Panthers, the Giants could have themselves in perfect position for a Wild Card spot, going into Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. Even if they don’t win the final game of the regular season, two losses by the Dallas Cowboys would likely give the Giants a playoff berth.

Verdict: Wild Card

8. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons still have a shot at 6-7, but without their stars, Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, at full health, it’s going to be difficult.

The only thing the Falcons really have going for them this season is a power rushing game and a balanced offense that can move down the field. However, the injuries have piled up on the offensive side and in the defensive line, which has hampered their offense, and made their defense easy to score on.

A first glance at their remaining three game suggests running the table is a real possibility, however, if they can’t get their stars back, their run could be over by week’s end.

Verdict: Staying Home

9. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have a long way to go to make it into the big show this year, but their chances are actually a lot better than people think. And so too, is there team.

Their defense showed once again against the Cardinals last week that it can take over and control games, even against the most elite of offenses. However, their inconsistency, marked in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, should make running the table extremely difficult.

However, one thing is working in San Francisco’s favor. The 49ers hold the series lead (2-0) over the Cardinals, meaning they have two “in’s” into the post-season. They can either win their remaining three games and hope the Cowboys and Giants falter, or they can win their remaining three games and hope the Cardinals lose two games.

It’s a long-shot, and it starts with a tough road trip against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Verdict: Staying Home

10. Carolina Panthers

Carolina is a dominant run-first offensive team with a decent overall defense, carried almost solely by it’s elite pass defense.

The Panthers are able to apply pressure, force the opposing quarterback into poor throws and turnovers, and then run the ball methodically with their well-balanced running back duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

However, the main things holding the Panthers back all season has been their inconsistency in the passing game. Matt Moore now sits behind center, no longer the turnover machine Jake Delhomme, although the Panthers passing struggles continued last week against a mediocre Patriots defense.

Moore will have issues early and often against an aggressive Minnesota pass rush, and a run defense that will limit their powerful rush attack. Needless to say, the 5-8 Panthers’ bid for an unlikely playoff berth will likely end in Week 15.

Verdict: Staying Home

11. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle doesn’t hold any real advantage over any team it lines up against, as it has solid weapons on offense, but really hasn’t looked like it has been able to put “it” all together at any time over the course of the season.

Matt Hasselbeck has been running for his life behind poor pass protection all season, and when he has been protected well, he has more often than not played poorly, or been hampered by a poor supporting rush offense.

It’s always one thing or another with Seattle this year, and it’s very unlikely the 5-8 Seahawks run the table with tough match-ups against the Packers and Titans left on their schedule. It’s even more unlikely that all of the other contending teams finish 8-8 or worse to give Seattle a chance at the playoffs.

Verdict: Staying Home