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2016 NFL Playoff Picture: Arizona Cardinals have uphill battle, but are still in it

The victory for the Arizona Cardinals went a long way into helping their slim playoff chances.

NFL: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a while since the Arizona Cardinals and their fans could enjoy a victory Monday, but today is one of those days.

If they are finding their stride, finding their footing and ready to compete, maybe they gave themselves enough time, just maybe.

Maybe they didn’t, but when you look at the NFC Playoff picture, everything runs through Dallas, but you have to like the Arizona Cardinals chances if they just... keep... winning.

Dallas Cowboys 11-1
Seattle Seahawks 8-3-1

Can anyone catch the Cowboys? The Giants have their shot, but it has to start next Sunday night.

3. Detroit Lions 8-4
4. Atlanta Falcons 7-5

The final two division leaders, and the Falcons have a huge matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left, that will have a definite impact on the NFC playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Lions, yes, the Lions, are two games clear of everyone in the NFC North. What a weird season 2016 is.

5. New York Giants 8-4
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-5

After all of that, the Bucs, the same team the Arizona Cardinals obliterated in week two, are now in the playoffs.

On the Outside

7. Washington Redskins 6-5-1
8. Minnesota Vikings 6-6
9. Green Bay Packers 6-6
10. Arizona Cardinals 5-6-1

When you look at the season for the Arizona Cardinals, you can see clearly twogames that will haunt the team when it comes to the playoffs if they do not make it: New England and Seattle. There is a lot more too it, but when you boil it down, two missed kicks really separate the Arizona Cardinals from 7-5 and the six seed and where they are now as the ten seed.

Still Hanging Around

New Orleans Saints 5-7
Philadelphia Eagles 5-7

Not Technically eliminated

Carolina Panthers 4-8
Los Angeles Rams 4-8
Chicago Bears 3-9