Updated NFC Playoff Picture: NFL Betting Odds

After three Thanksgiving Day games, the NFC playoff picture has shifted a bit. The New Orleans Saints have now lost four straight and are on their way out of the postseason field. It’s hard to get to the playoffs with a backup quarterback, as the Saints are finding out. The Dallas Cowboys have now dropped three of four after a disappointing overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and while the Cowboys still have a big lead in the NFC East, if the Philadelphia Eagles can pick up another win on Sunday, things will start to get interesting.

Let’s look at the current picture as well as our NFL betting insights on some of the contenders.

NFL News: Updated NFC Playoff Picture

Seed #1: Arizona Cardinals (9-2)

Well, the Cards haven’t had their starting quarterback or their top wide receiver for three games, but they’ve gone 2-1 anyway, with the wins coming at San Francisco and Seattle. They are just the fourth team in the history of the NFL to go 6-0 in their first six road games. I expect them to win the NFC West given the inconsistency in the rest of the division.

Seed #2: Green Bay Packers (8-3)

The injury bug is hurting the Packers, as we saw in their loss to Minnesota last week. Aaron Rodgers is now suffering from a toe injury that happened during his COVID-19 isolation period. The Pack does lead Minnesota by 2 ½ games in the NFC North, and they play the Vikings again in Week 17. Depth is a concern with a bruising matchup with the Rams coming up next.

Seed #3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)

The Bucs thrashed the Giants on Monday night and moved back over Dallas into the third seed. Down the stretch, Tampa Bay only plays two teams with winning record (Buffalo and Indianapolis).

Seed #4: Dallas Cowboys (7-4)

A 6-1 start is now a 7-4 record, with two home losses via upset to Denver and Las Vegas in that stretch. Opponents have learned that Dallas has a hard time getting defensive stops that don’t involve a turnover, so they’re just not throwing to Trevon Diggs’ side of the field, and they’re pounding the ball in the running game since the Cowboys don’t have answers. The fact that Mike McCarthy is whining about the officiating instead of taking accountability suggests that Dallas may not have the leadership it needs to make adjustments. Luckily, the Cowboys are in a soft division, but the Eagles are charging.

Seed #5: Los Angeles Rams (7-3)

Matthew Stafford has fallen back to earth, with four interceptions in the last two games. Odell Beckham Jr and Von Miller will contribute positively, but they need to mesh fast, with Green Bay, Arizona, Minnesota, Baltimore and San Francisco coming up.

Seed #6: Minnesota Vikings (5-5)

The Vikings have a 4-2 record against NFC opponents, which will make for a helpful tiebreakers. They have played seven straight games decided by seven or fewer points. That tendency will either help them gain mental strength or lead to some bad breakdowns late.

Seed #7: San Francisco 49ers (5-5)

The 49ers have won three of four and have a better chance to get to the playoffs than New Orleans, Philadelphia or Carolina. Can Jimmy G keep driving the bus?

Outside Looking In:

New Orleans Saints (5-6)

Trevor Siemian’s miraculous win over Tampa Bay feels like it happened two years ago.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)

The Eagles have won three of four, with all three wins coming in double digits. They have four games left against the Giants and Washington. They also face the Jets and have another shot at Dallas.

Carolina Panthers (5-6)

Could Cam Newton really lead this team to the playoffs? Christian McCaffrey is back, and the NFC is unpredictable this year.

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