How Will the NFC East Logjam Sort Itself out in Time for Playoffs?

In all likelihood, the NFC East will send just one representative into the 2012 NFL postseason: the winner of the Dallas Cowboys’ road clash with the Washington Redskins.

Three things must happen for the New York Giants to secure the final playoff spot in the conference.

The Minnesota Vikings will have to lose to the Green Bay Packers at home, the Chicago Bears will have to lose to the Detroit Lions on the road and New York will have to beat the Philadelphia Eagles at home.

The one thing we know right now is that the Eagles will be last place in their division.

Minnesota is playing very well right now, as are the Packers. After knocking off the Houston Texans on the road in Week 16, the Vikings could very well beat anyone on the back of Adrian Peterson. Green Bay has a bye to play for, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Minnesota defeated the Packers at home in Week 17.

What would be surprising is if the Bears can’t get up for the Lions and lose at Ford Field. By virtue of giving up control of their own destiny, the Giants have most likely tumbled out of the playoff race.

Both Dallas and Washington hold tiebreakers over New York, so the reigning Super Bowl champions are slotted into the third spot in the division if the Cowboys win and force a three-way tie at 9-7. If the Redskins win and push the Cowboys to 8-8 while climbing to 10-6, New York would be second in its division.

Barring an Arizona Cardinals upset of the San Francisco 49ers, whoever wins the NFC East will host the streaking Seattle Seahawks on Wild Card Weekend. That’s not exactly the most attractive of prizes for winning a division in 2012.

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