NFC thoughts
NFC "The Clash" of the Conference... Who should stay and who should go?
So with the regular season in the final stages who are the unlikely candidates for the NFC Championship game?
Well, for me, this rules out Dallas, Philly and San Fran as these guys have to be the clear favourites... even with the recent struggles for Philly id expect them to be strong. So let's take each division at a time:
NFC South
Well. I don't see any of these guys finishing with a winning record but unfortunately one of these will be in the playoffs. Currently is looking like Baker and the Bucs are the best bet from this division but I would expect them to be 1 and done vs the 2nd place team in the NFC East.
NFC East
Both Eagles and Cowboys are already guaranteed their spot in the playoffs. Both are teams id expect to be involved in the NFC Championship picture. Even with the Eagles current struggles.. so let's get cracking on with the 2 divisions not mentioned so far... (no, the Giants aren't getting there, they may have somehow dispatched Green Bay but still no!)
NFC West
This is an interesting one for me. 9ers are the complete package. But the Rams and Seahawks?
Rams - being a lions fan, I still love Stafford. I'm sure I'm not the only Lions fan with this opinion! Do they have enough to mount a Conference surge, I'm not convinced.
Seahawks - they're were a bad run but have just beaten Philly. However I don't feel you can rule out a team with DK and Lockett to aim for, not to mention the running force that is Walker and Charbonnet. If they can pick up their form, I can't see a reason to not back these guys.
NFC North
We turn to the division where my beloved Lions sit. Well, I suppose we should crack on...
Vikings - No-one would wish the amount of injuries they have had, not even from their biggest rivals. And I'm not pleased. Losing players such as Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson are impossible to replace then losing their leader in Kirk Cousins was such a huge blow. I feel losing JJ and Hockenson are the much bigger lose. I still absolutely adore Hock despite the divisional move. However, although I don't rate Kirk, I do feel that this is the BIG reason why the Vikings cannot challenge for the Conference game.
Lions - no, never happening and this is me as a Lions fan saying this! Why, with that record, I hear you say? We cannot defend, well, not well enough for Conference. And also our offence has gone off the boil. Oh and the final point is we don't have a QB who can actually move. Which in the modern NFL is a lot more important than in the past. If we can deal with those minor(!) points I'll see you guys in the Conference game!
Packers - this cannot happen. I would hate this surely? Rodgers left and I felt so much relief. Love looked average at best and I was happy. But now (well, up until the Giants loss last week) I am really concerned that this team has the potential to actually compete in this division again. This may have been destroyed with the loss last week vs the Buccaneers. If (and I think, given the record, it is a BIG if) this team make the playoffs, I reckon they'll go to the Conference and then, who knows?
So to conclude, who's in the Conference game if it's not 9ers/Cowboys/Eagles? For me, rather shockingly, it's Green Bay! So let's hope San Fran, Dallas, and Philly hold strong!