NFL Playoff Picture: Breaking Down the Remaining NFC Races

Compared to what we've been dealing with in recent weeks, the playoff picture in the NFC at this very moment is pretty calm. Serene even.

As of right now, there is only one playoff spot in the NFC that is still up for grabs. That, of course, would be the NFC East. The other five spots have all been taken, and now it's just a matter of determining seeds and figuring out which teams get to march into the postseason as division champions.

It's not overly complicated, but let's go ahead and break it all down anyway. With the postseason looming, all of us may as well be on the same page.

NFC East

At long last, the Philadelphia Eagles were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16. For all intents and purposes, they were out of it weeks ago, yet they insisted on being Rasputin. Or, if you prefer, the T-800 from the first Terminator movie.

Now it's up to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, who are set to play a game to end all games at MetLife Stadium in Week 17.

If the Giants win, they're the NFC East champs. If the Cowboys win, they're the NFC East champs. Simple as that.

Whoever wins the division will enter the postseason as the No. 4 seed, and will host the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card round.

NFC South

It feels like the New Orleans Saints wrapped up the NFC South a while ago, but the Atlanta Falcons still have a shot to win the division.

But only if they beat the Saints on Monday night. If the Saints win, the NFC South is theirs and they will be free to take a week off in Week 17 if they so choose.

If the Falcons win, they'll need to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17 and hope the Saints lose to the Carolina Panthers.

If the Falcons end up winning the division, they'll be the No. 3 seed. The Saints still have a shot at earning the No. 2 seed and getting a first-round bye, but we'll get to that next.

No. 2 Seed

The Green Bay Packers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with their win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. The race for the No. 2 seed is between the Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.

For the 49ers to earn the NFC's No. 2 seed, all they need to do is beat the St. Louis Rams in Week 17, which shouldn't be too difficult.

If the 49ers lose, they'll need the Saints to lose to the Panthers to maintain their hold on the No. 2 seed.

For the Saints to earn it, they'll need to win their last two games and hope the 49ers lose in Week 17. 

That's really all there is to it. There's still plenty to be decided to be sure, but the playoff picture in the NFC is pretty clear compared to the playoff picture in the AFC. 

I would clear that up for you, but I already have a headache. Maybe tomorrow.

Current NFC Playoff Picture

Seed	Team	Record	Entry Ticket
1	Green Bay Packers	14-1	NFC North champs
2	San Francisco 49ers	12-3	NFC West champs
3	New Orleans Saints	11-3	NFC South champs
4	New York Giants	8-7	NFC East champs
5	Detroit Lions	10-5	Wild card
6	Atlanta Falcons	9-5	Wild card