Arizona Cardinals News: NFC Playoff Picture Week 14

by Hawkwind on Dec 4, 2008 6:11 PM MST in 2008 Playoffs Comment 18 comments

We missed the playoff picture last week because of the short turnaround but we're back in action this week. Two straight losses have kept the Arizona Cardinals from clinching the NFC West but there's not much changed in their playoff seeding. Here's how the playoffs would look if the season ended today and some commentary on the teams' remaining schedules.

1. New York Giants (11-1): What can you say? The Giants are the best team in the NFL and the second place team needs binoculars just to find them. Distractions are swirling but this is New York and they're probably used to them. They're remaining schedule is still tough though with every opponent boasting a winning record and two of them are on the road. They've got Philly at home before traveling to Dallas and then Carolina at home before traveling to Minnesota to close out the season.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3): The Bucs have won four straight and hold tie breaker over the Panther who are also 9-3. Tampa is a solid team that seems to do just enough to win every week. They're schedule is not near as bad as some other teams considering that their final two games are at home against the Chargers and Raiders. Their next two games will define the season though as they've got road contests against the Panthers and Falcons.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-5): The Vikes have won their past two games and slid into a tie with the Cardinals at 7-5. Since the Vikings currently have a better record against NFC teams (5-3 vs. 5-4), they beat out the Cardinals for the three seed if the playoffs started today. They get one cupcake game this week (@ DET) before traveling to Arizona and finish the season with home games against the Falcons and Giants.

4. Arizona Cardinals (7-5): The Cardinals can still become the first team to clinch their division this week with a win or San Francisco loss. Our remaining schedule isn't too easy but it does include home games against bad teams (STL and SEA) and a third home game against the Vikes. The lone road contest will be a trip to New England. Winning the remaining games against our NFC opponents will be extremely key if they want the #3 seed.

5. Carolina Panthers (9-3): The Panthers got a much needed win in Green Bay last week and they're in control of their own destiny. The remaining schedule won't help them out though. They've got home games against Tampa and Denver before they head out on the road to face the Giants and Saints.

6. Atlanta Falcons (8-4): No, I'm being serious. If the season ended today the Falcons would be a playoff team. If you predicted that before the season, congratulations, you're a genius. They still got their work cut out for them though with a road game in New Orleans, a home game against the Bucs, a road game in Minny and a home game against the Rams to finish the season.

The rest of the teams scrambling to get in, their record and remaining schedule:

Dallas (8-4) - @PIT, NYG, BAL, @PHI - Thats a brutal foursome of games.

Washington (7-5) - @BAL, @CIN, PHI, @SF - 9 wins should be easy, they probably need 10 though.

Philadelphia (6-5-1) - @NYG, CLE, @WAS, BAL - Not the easiest, they need 9 wins.

Chicago (6-6) - JAC, NO, GB, @HOU - That's actually manageable but they probably have to run the table.

New Orleans (6-6) - ATL, @CHI, @DET, CAR - Not easy but they're not dead yet!

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Can the Cardinals get to the second seed?

I’m trying to come up with a scenario in which the Cardinals can come out with the second seed but it looks nearly impossible now. First they’d have to finish now worse than 3-1 and Carolina and Tampa would have to finish 1-3 (with Carolina’s one win coming against TB). If all three clubs did that they’d be tied and it would come down to best winning percentage among common opponents.

If the Cardinals can run the table and finish 11-5, they’d have a much better chance but they’d still have to see TB go at least 2-2 and CAR go 1-3.

Either way, the biggest game left on the schedule is when the Vikes come to town. We should still have the same record as them and we’ll need to the head-to-head win to keep the #3 seed. If/When the Cardinals beat them, they might lose the next two (ATL and NYG) which would drop them to 8-8 and could open the door for Chicago. Ah the possibilities.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Dec 5, 2008 7:11 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

It will be an exciting finish

It’s been awhile since the NFL had a muddled playoff picture this late in the season. The #1’s for each conference are effectively set, but the other five seeds are still in flux.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Dec 5, 2008 7:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

#6 seed

Looking at the sixth seed, who would be the best matchup for the Redbirds?

I’m thinking either Atlanta, Washington or Chicago. The Skins and Bears schedules are easy enough that they might squeak in, especially when you look at the schedule that Dallas and the Eagles have ahead of them.

by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 5, 2008 10:17 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I want Washington again.

We have their number if we play them at home

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Dec 5, 2008 10:57 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

yea, I'd go with Washington too

Campbell doesn’t look like the same QB as he was earlier in the year. For some crazy reason, I could see there being several teams tied for the sixth spot at 9-7 (like ATL, DAL, WAS and maybe even Philly). That would lead to some crazy tie-breakers.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Dec 5, 2008 11:17 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Niners

Anyone worried about the Niners having a shot? I know it seems funny but they would have to win out and the Cards would have to lose out. I laughed when I saw some Niner fans suggest it on another site but after all, it is the Cardinals here. How heartbreaking would that be? Sorry guys, not trying to jinx us but its an interesting convo. lol

by Andrew602 on Dec 5, 2008 10:49 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Andrew, I ask that your previous record be removed from the record...

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Dec 5, 2008 10:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You’d have to put me on suicide watch if that happened, but the Niners would have to beat the Jets, the Dolphins (on the road), the Rams and the Skins. Somehow I can’t see them beating three teams with a winning record to close the season, much less us dropping the final four.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Dec 5, 2008 11:14 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs