Lets look at every NFC playoff team through a big picture lens

[DesertDevil]

NFC by seed:

1. Carolina - Obviously has been playing well all season. Complete defense. Good running game. A QB who has a hot hand and is playing with tons of confidence. Their one glaring weakness is their WR's. But all have stepped up and played well. And Olsen has been a HUGE weapon in the offense.

2. Arizona - Maybe the most complete all around team in the NFL. Having the number ranked offense and top 5 defense help back that up. Across the board they are very talented and deep at almost every position. I do see one glaring weakness for the Red Birds though. Their inability to get pressure on the QB without blitzing. Losing Mathieu really hurt their blitz game and what they were able to do with all of their different packages. Teams are going to have big plays against this defense because of their need to gamble. Arizona will need to outscore teams if they want to play in Santa Clara in February.

3. Minnesota - The Vikings are playing extremely well since being embarrassed at home against Seattle. Despite losing in AZ, they played very well that game and have been playing great on both sides of the football since. I do not think they are a threat to play in the Super Bowl. But in ONE playoff game at HOME vs a team that completely embarrassed them just a few weeks ago? These are professional athletes that play with pride, in a win or go home scenario. I'm not sure if a victory over Seattle is in the works. But I would fully expect the Vikings to compete this time around this weekend.

4. Washington - Very similar situation to Minnesota. This team has been playing good football since losing to Dallas at home 5 weeks ago. They have not lost since and they are playing with a lot of confidence right now. They play very well at home (6-2) and have a QB who is playing with some confidence. Like the Vikings, I think they are little threat to make a Super Bowl run. But in a 1 game scenario against a struggling team at HOME? Why not?

5. Green Bay - Huge mess. As great as Rodgers is, he will not be able to save them. The O-line is in shambles. Rodgers is running for his life. The receivers can not get any separation. He simply has no one to throw the ball too. The running game isn't good enough and the defense has too many holes. Will be lucky to win this weekend. If they do, they will get plastered next week in AZ. Again.

6. Seattle - The pedigree. And they are rolling again. But this is NOT the same team that made it to the Super Bowl the past 2 seasons. They lost 6 games this season for a reason. But you would be foolish to think this team is not a threat again. Of course they are. But lets look at the facts here. The running game has not been what it was the past 2 years. The defense has been hit or miss. The offensive line has been hit or miss as well as Wilson has been hit a lot this year. Can they make a run to the Super Bowl? Absolutely. But I think that is one tall task this time around. They have to win 3 road games. Most likely at Minnesota, then Carolina, the AZ. Brutal.

My synopsis?

Flip a coin a coin between AZ and Carolina. If Carolina can get past their first round matchup vs possibly Seattle, then they get most likely AZ at home with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. That game would not be more than -3 in either direction. If Seattle would be fortunate against both MIN and CAR, then they would have to go play a third straight road game IN Arizona. 3 straight road games against (including 2 against very good football teams), I just dont see that happening. Washington, GB, and Minnesota could all win one playoff game. But that would be it for all three of them.

My rankings for the NFC going into the playoffs:

1A) Carolina
1B) Arizona

3) Seattle

4) Minnesota
5) Washington
6) Green Bay

AFC breakdown to come later...

 

[seer]

6. Seattle - The pedigree. And they are rolling again. But this is NOT the same team that made it to the Super Bowl the past 2 seasons. They lost 6 games this season for a reason. But you would be foolish to think this team is not a threat again. Of course they are. But lets look at the facts here. The running game has not been what it was the past 2 years. The defense has been hit or miss. The offensive line has been hit or miss as well as Wilson has been hit a lot this year. Can they make a run to the Super Bowl? Absolutely. But I think that is one tall task this time around. They have to win 3 road games. Most likely at Minnesota, then Carolina, the AZ. Brutal.

if injuries werent a part of this game imo packers would be the team to beat. such as it is. the packers are the team that is wounded the most so they are truly ripe for the picking.
seattle has the 2nd most injs so it stands to reason ur doubts on them.
the oline is a patchwork but since the steelers game they have adjusted to get the hands out of russ alot faster.
the defense is getting back to where it was.
imo rawls was better than lynch - speed wise ne ways. in recent reports lynch is ready to go. he is running thru players not around them in practice.
that superbowl team u speak of might have been one of the best team ever to compete - so u cant compare ne team let alone the current version to that one.
winning 3 road games has been done. nyg is one that springs to mind.
if playoff experience counted for zero at all i think minny and car would give them a run for their money, but-
it does!
seattle wont have trouble with minny the car game will be close. either team that wins that one i believe will make it to the superbowl.
i am sorry arizona got exposed yesterday big time. palmer has been playing lights out- but if he truly was that good he would still be with the bengals.
sure they resemble stlou with a better d...,.but seattle's and carolina's are better.

 

[seer]

6. Seattle - The pedigree. And they are rolling again. But this is NOT the same team that made it to the Super Bowl the past 2 seasons. They lost 6 games this season for a reason. But you would be foolish to think this team is not a threat again. Of course they are. But lets look at the facts here. The running game has not been what it was the past 2 years. The defense has been hit or miss. The offensive line has been hit or miss as well as Wilson has been hit a lot this year. Can they make a run to the Super Bowl? Absolutely. But I think that is one tall task this time around. They have to win 3 road games. Most likely at Minnesota, then Carolina, the AZ. Brutal.

if injuries werent a part of this game imo packers would be the team to beat. such as it is. the packers are the team that is wounded the most so they are truly ripe for the picking.
seattle has the 2nd most injs so it stands to reason ur doubts on them.
the oline is a patchwork but since the steelers game they have adjusted to get the ball out of the hands out of russ alot faster.
the defense is getting back to where it was.
imo rawls was better than lynch - speed wise ne ways. in recent reports lynch is ready to go. he is running thru players not around them in practice.
that superbowl team u speak of might have been one of the best team ever to compete - so u cant compare ne team let alone the current version to that one.
winning 3 road games has been done. nyg is one that springs to mind.
if playoff experience counted for zero at all i think minny and car would give them a run for their money, but-
it does!
seattle wont have trouble with minny the car game will be close. either team that wins that one i believe will make it to the superbowl.
i am sorry arizona got exposed yesterday big time. palmer has been playing lights out- but if he truly was that good he would still be with the bengals.
sure they resemble stlou with a better d...,.but seattle's and carolina's are better.

 

[DesertDevil]

winning 3 road games has been done. nyg is one that springs to mind.

Yes. It's been done. But it is the exception, not the norm.

Look, Im not saying that Seattle isn't a threat, nor am I saying the have no shot to get back to the Super Bowl

But with a road of @ MIN, @ CAR, then @ AZ?

I'm not betting on that to happen.

 

[seer]

nor am I saying the have no shot to get back to the Super Bowl

But with a road of @ MIN, @ CAR, then @ AZ?

I'm not betting on that to happen.

yeah i can tell u made up ur mind. but u just contradicted urself saying ur not betting on that to happen. i hate futures. they are not a good bet period.
who knows palmer and fitz could get inured in the wash/gb game...then will u think differently?
taking one step at a time it should and likely will be seattle vs car next round

 

[DesertDevil]

i am sorry arizona got exposed yesterday big time. palmer has been playing lights out- but if he truly was that good he would still be with the bengals.

As stated earlier today, that game meant absolutely zero to AZ. Of course they had to go into the game believing they are going to compete and win the game.

But one thing that is IMPOSSIBLE to do in the NFL, is to manufacture a sense of urgency and hunger when it simply wasn't there. AZ starters knew they were going to get pulled if they were not playing well. They knew the game plan. They knew they would have 2 weeks off after this game. And they knew that the game meant nothing in the overall picture. There was no reason to play with hunger or urgency.

Is AZ the team that won 9 straight games and played well on both offense and defense all season? Or are they the team that laid down yesterday in an absolute meaningless game?

Seattle came in there hungry yesterday and with a chip on their shoulder after AZ went up there a few weeks ago and made them look foolish. There was no doubt when watching that game. AZ was going through the motions. SEA was hungry.

Its there for you to see it. Depends if you are too stubborn to.

 

[DesertDevil]

yeah i can tell u made up ur mind. but u just contradicted urself saying ur not betting on that to happen.

1. Yes. I have made up my mind. I believe CAR or AZ will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Flip a coin as to who.

2. There is nothing contradictory in anything I wrote.

 

[JohnBlue123]

Nice writeup Desert D. I agree that Arizona was resting guys for the playoffs yesterday. The game turned out to be meaningless for them. There will be some great matchups in the divisional round and championship rounds. I've thought sonce at least halfway through the season that the SB50 champ will come from the NFC. It is like a minefield this year with Seattle, Carolina, and Arizona. I think all three teams are better than any team in the AFC.

 

[seer]

nor am I saying the have no shot to get back to the Super Bowl lol well u did u stated this in ur first paragraph.

arizona usually starts out fast and they wanted to do the same what wash did to dallas. but they didnt!
there also was no reason for seattle urgency either! they rested half their defense before the game started and still ariz couldnt do much against the 2nd stringers

 

[seer]

Nice writeup Desert D. I agree that Arizona was resting guys for the playoffs yesterday. The game turned out to be meaningless for them. There will be some great matchups in the divisional round and championship rounds. I've thought sonce at least halfway through the season that the SB50 champ will come from the NFC. It is like a minefield this year with Seattle, Carolina, and Arizona. I think all three teams are better than any team in the AFC.

u guys are forgetting it was meaningless for seattle as well. in fact i thought they would lay down and rest all players on both sides. but they did rest most of their d. chancellor didnt play and still look wat they did to the new version of the greatest show on turf

 

[DesertDevil]

nor am I saying the have no shot to get back to the Super Bowl lol well u did u stated this in ur first paragraph.

No where in my write up did I say that SEA had no shot to go back to the Super Bowl. I said I don't believe it will happen. And stated why.

Again, there is no contradiction in anything I wrote.

 

[DesertDevil]

u guys are forgetting it was meaningless for seattle as well.

False. They felt as a team they were disrespected in SEA when they played and came in with a chip on their shoulder.

Did you watch the game? One team played inspired and hungry. The other team had no life.

It's right there for you to see. Depends if you are too stubborn to see it.

 

[seer]

lol ok have it ur way, but imo ur cards are behind the hawks and the panthers in terms of complete balance

 

[DesertDevil]

I think all three teams are better than any team in the AFC.

I agree. I'll take SEA, CAR, or AZ all straight up in a one game show down with any team from the AFC.

 

[DesertDevil]

but imo ur cards are behind the hawks and the panthers in terms of complete balance

We will agree to disagree.

If we all had the same opinions on everything, what a boring world it would be.

 

[seer]

False. They felt as a team they were disrespected in SEA when they played and came in with a chip on their shoulder.

Did you watch the game? One team played inspired and hungry. The other team had no life.

It's right there for you to see. Depends if you are too stubborn to see it.

i am sorry the cards and their fans were excited at the beginning of the game and past the point where the cards got their first td with fitz.
there was a chance they could win homefield. i am sorry ur a fan of the cards but they are number 3 imo behind car and hawks

 

[DesertDevil]

i am sorry ur a fan of the cards but they are number 3 imo behind car and hawks

1. Please refer to post #15 of thread.
2. Yes. I am a fan. But when capping things, I try to remain as unbiased as I can. If I had complete RED colored glasses on, I would tell you that AZ is the favorite to win the NFC. They aren't. They are 1A/1B with Carolina. And for the most part, odds in Vegas and offshore tend to back up my assessment.

 

[seer]

the odds reflect ofc that seattle would have to win 3 road games so naturally the odss would skew to ariz and car. u are biased to the fact that ariz DID come out hungry at the beginning and want to win it. that is part where u say that they didnt have ne thing to play for. bs. they had full intentions of whooping seattle like the they did the first game at least in the 1q and first half.
dont think that u can just say ahhh they didnt really want this in the first place. cuz that is wrong. why not rest palmer then? sorry arians wanted to take the hawks to the woodshed early in the game just like the skins did to dallas

 

[DesertDevil]

the odds reflect ofc that seattle would have to win 3 road games so naturally the odss would skew to ariz and car. u are biased to the fact that ariz DID come out hungry at the beginning and want to win it. that is part where u say that they didnt have ne thing to play for. bs. they had full intentions of whooping seattle like the they did the first game at least in the 1q and first half.
dont think that u can just say ahhh they didnt really want this in the first place. cuz that is wrong. why not rest palmer then? sorry arians wanted to take the hawks to the woodshed early in the game just like the skins did to dallas

Please refer to post #15 of thread.

Ive already presented my case and reasons for it. Not sure we can go any further with this conversation unless we want to go in circles.

 

[seer]

no true good luck to u! but to dismiss the beating that seattle laid down and to cap seattle and ur team and to pretend that the game didnt even happen would be a huge mistake on ur part i will end my comments there