Few Surprises in the NFC in First Half

After eight weeks, the Giants are ranked sixth in the conference with a 5-3 record.  If the playoffs began today, they would face the #3 seeded Eagles.  The Cowboys, the #5 seed, would travel to Arizona to play the fourth-ranked Cardinals.

The Saints and Vikings would be sitting home with well-deserved byes.

The NFC is shaking out pretty much the way most of us though it would, with just a few exceptions.  Most figured either Philadelphia or New York would draw at least a bye.  That can still happen, of course.

Others had the Cowboys for dead, and many felt the Saints didn’t have the defense to get tot the Super Bowl.  Other than those two mini-surprises, its been business as usual in the NFC thus far.

What could / should  happen……..

The Saints are going to win at least 13 games. They have only a few tough tests remaining on their schedule: New England and Dallas at home and Atlanta on the road.

The Vikings are rolling, too. They can win 12 games if things go right.  They still have two games with the Bears, a trip to Arizona, a home game against Cincinnati and a date with the Giants in the regular-season finale.  I will assume the Giants will be needing that game…..

Philadelphia has nine games left. They can get to 12 wins, also, providing they don’t toss in a clunker like they did in Oakland.  It doesn’t seem likely, though.  Their schedule is pretty challenging: Dallas twice, Denver, San Diego, San Francisco, Atlanta and a trip to New York.

Arizona, as always, will need to win the West to qualify. St. Louis and Seattle are done, so it’s just them and the 49ers, who are a game behind right now.  The Cards are a better team, but both have hard schedules.

Dallas’ offense has clicked well the past few weeks and they’ll need that to continue. Their two losses (to the Giants and Denver) are two games they could have won, and they may prove costly.  They still have to play Philly twice, go to New York, New Orleans and Green Bay and host San Diego.

The Giants are headed in the wrong direction right now. Their three-game losing streak has uncovered some nerve centers and the damage may not be reparable as we look down their schedule.  This week, their passing-challenged defense faces the San Diego Chargers, led by Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers and RB Darren Sproles.

After that, they have a brutal road: Atlanta, Dallas, Denver and Philadelphia before getting a reprieve against Washington and Carolina.  They end the season in Minnesota.