NFL Playoff Picture: NFC Wild Card Race Is All but Over

The NFC playoff picture has come into clear view early this year. Week 15 is just concluding, but the race for the playoffs is all but over. 

This fate became a reality when the Lions capped an improbable comeback against the Raiders to climb to nine wins. This gave them, and the Falcons, a two-game edge on the closest team for the final wild card spot.

Check out the standings.

NFC Wild Card Standings

Atlanta Falcons 9-5

Detroit Lions 9-5

Seattle Seahawks 7-7

Chicago Bears 7-7

New York Giants 7-7

Arizona Cardinals 7-7

For any of these chasing teams to have a chance, the Falcons would have to lose out. So let's take a look at their remaining schedules.

Falcons and Lions Remaining Schedule

Falcons

Week 16: at Saints

Week 17: Buccaneers

We can take the Falcons out of this discussion because they are not losing to the Buccaneers at home. The Bucs are the most pathetic team in football right now.

Lions

Week 16: Chargers

Week 17: at Packers 

The Lions schedule is much more daunting. They face the resurgent Chargers and then travel to Green Bay. The Packers game is going to mean far less to the Packers than it will the Lions. They are going to have the No. 1 seed locked up, and they are no longer going for a perfect record.  

Examining the Rest

First of all, we are chucking out the Bears. There is no way that train wreck of an offense is going to lead them to two straight victories.

The Giants were embarrassed by the Redskins, and they have two tough games against the Jets and Cowboys remaining. Given that they have lost five of their last six, I am casting them out of this discussion as well.

That leaves the streaking Seahawks and Cardinals.

If either the Cardinals or the Seahawks win out, and the Lions lose out, the Lions will not make the playoffs.

The Seahawks and Cardinals face each other to close out the season. Next week, the Seahawks will host the 49ers and the Bengals will host the Cardinals.

Those are tough match-ups. The Seahawks will not beat the 49ers, and the Cardinals' string of miracles cannot continue for two more weeks.

The Lions are safe even if they lose out.