We already looked at the AFC playoff picture so now it's time to examine some of the NFC's scenarios at Sunday's 1 p.m. games.
The Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the lowly Carolina Panthers, beating the NFL's worst team easily, 31-10. The win gives the Falcons the NFC South title as well as the NFC's No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Atlanta's win also means the Bears are now locked in as the No. 2 seed, meaning the Packers are in a must-win game against a team that has nothing to play for.
Tampa Bay did its part on Sunday to keep its playoff hopes alive, defeating the Saints at New Orleans. The Bucs must now root for the Bears to beat the Packers and the Redskins to beat the Giants. A more likely scenario: the first-round of the NFC playoffs is Packers at Eagles and Saints at the NFC West winner (your guess is as good as mine).
1. Atlanta Falcons (13-3): NFC South champions; earned first-round bye and home-field advantage
2. Chicago Bears (11-4): NFC North champions; clinched first-round bye and No. 2 seed
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5): NFC East champions; clinched No. 3 seed
4. St. Louis Rams (7-8): Win in Seattle Sunday night and they win the NFC West division.
5. New Orleans Saints (11-5): Wild Card; clinched No. 5 seed
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6): Still alive for a Wild Car spot with Sunday's win, but now need to hope that both the Giants and Packers lose.
Outside Looking In:
Green Bay Packers (9-6): It's simple for the Packers -- beat the Bears on Sunday and they're in the playoffs, eliminating the Buccaneers in the process
New York Giants (9-6): New York needs to win and hope that the Packers lose
Seattle Seahawks (6-9): Wins the NFC West and clinches a playoff berth with a win over the Rams. Simple as that.