Unofficial: Looks like Cardinals will be playing the Falcons at home

by CardsFan08 on Dec 21, 2008 7:35 PM MST

With the Cowboys loss and Atlanta's win today the Falcon's have clinched a playoff spot and currently hold the number 5 seed. With the Falcon's having a game against the Rams next week they will potentially be 11-5 which neither Tampa Bay nor the Cowboys can climb to.

But let's talk about how crazy the NFC North and #6 wild card spot can become.

The Cowboys play the Eagles and Tampa Bay plays Oakland next week which could decide the #6 seed which Dallas currently holds due to the division tie breaker. But if Dallas loses to the Eagles the two teams division records will be tied and Tampa can get in with either a win (become 10-6) or a loss because they have a better conference record 8-4 (loss takes Bucs to 8-5 compared to potentially Dallas' 7-5).

However, there is one more angle to this twisted story, depending on how the Bears play tonight and next week versus the Texans they can potentially take the NFC North from the Vikings. If the Vikings lost to the Giants and both Tampa and Dallas lose, the Vikings win the Wild Card due to the best division record for the tie breaker.

And, I could be wrong on this and someone please correct me, but if the Card's win next week and both the Vikings and Bears lose their next games the Cards become the number 3 seed due to the better division record for the tie-breaker.

So the Cardinals opponent under the current circumstances is pretty much a lock (Atlanta), while the Vikings or Bears may be playing Dallas, Tampa, or the Vikings or Bears.

What a wild and wacky ride it can be.

Poll

Who would you rather see the Cardinals face for the Wild Card game?

Atlanta Falcons

15 votes

Chicago Bears

10 votes

Dallas Cowboys

3 votes

Phillidelphia Eagles

3 votes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

6 votes

37 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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Comments

Update; Cards to play Carolina or Falcons

If Carolina loses next week and the Falcons win, Atlanta wins the division and the #2 seed. Putting Carolina into the Wild Card Spot in Atlanta’s place. Meaning the Cards would play a very hot Carolina team at home.

by CardsFan08 on Dec 22, 2008 12:57 AM MST reply actions

if it comes down to those two, give me the Falcons

That would be quite a story to see Atlanta come back from that abortion of a season that they had last year to get the #2 seed this season.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Dec 22, 2008 6:19 AM MST up reply actions

In a sub-story kind of way

I think the Mia and Atl rebounds are the best plotlines of the season. And they don’t speak of parity. It was management who got those turnarounds done. I would have never believed Ryan and Pennington to be saviors.

P.S. Abortion? Really? Ya gotta throw that word out?

I love the smell of commerce in the morning

by Red Reign on Dec 22, 2008 6:55 AM MST up reply actions

yea definitely

They’re great stories are overshadowing the downward spiral of the Cardinals over the past month.

Yea, that was too much. I guess the bitter taste in my mouth is still to strong……

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Dec 22, 2008 7:41 AM MST up reply actions

Negativity

is not allowed on this here blog. The Cards are in the playoffs! I think Atl is very beatable away from the Georgia Dome. Less Ryan, I think that if Dansby, DD, Berry et al can stop Turner it will mean a victory and a march to the divisionals. Against Car or NYG, well, any given sunday I guess.

I love the smell of commerce in the morning

by Red Reign on Dec 22, 2008 7:49 AM MST up reply actions

Who would have thought?

…that Atlanta would have a good chance to keep the NFC South streak of last place team’s rebounding to take the division title the following year?

by AJ BirdWatcher on Dec 22, 2008 7:49 AM MST up reply actions

And I am happy for Blank

Who by all accounts is a great man dedicated to the city of Atl. It had turned into a crappy sports town and he turned it around. While I am not a fan of Vick pre- and post-dog fighting, it is also nice that he has supported him thru his prison time.

I love the smell of commerce in the morning

by Red Reign on Dec 22, 2008 8:10 AM MST up reply actions