Saints News Network

Saints and the NFC Playoff Picture: Week 14

The Saints are in the postseason, and look to wrap up the division on Sunday and keep ahead of the Packers in the latest NFC Playoff picture.

John Hendrix

The Saints became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the NFL after what happened on Sunday. They took care of their own business, while getting a needed Bears loss to stamp their ticket for the postseason. The Chiefs also joined them after their win over the Broncos. Here's how the latest NFC playoff picture shapes out.

If the NFC Playoffs started today...

  1. Saints (10-2)
  2. Packers (9-3)
  3. Rams (8-4)
  4. Giants (5-7)
  5. Seahawks (8-4)
  6. Buccaneers (7-5)
  7. Vikings (6-6)

In the Hunt

  • Cardinals (6-6)
  • Bears (5-7)
  • Lions (5-7)
  • 49ers (5-7)
  • Washington Football Team (5-7)
  • Falcons (4-8)
  • Panthers (4-8)
  • Eagles (3-8-1)
  • Cowboys (3-9)

Matchups to watch: The Rams host the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, while the Bucs host the Vikings for a noon kickoff on Sunday. The Seahawks host the lowly Jets in one of six kickoffs in the afternoon, as they will pay close attention to what happens on Thursday. The Packers will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions and will play at the same time the Saints and Eagles do.

How the Saints can clinch the NFC South

  1. NO win
  2. TB loss
  3. NO tie + TB tie

The Saints are still firmly in control of the top spot in the NFC. They can clinch the division for a fourth straight time with a win over the Eagles or a Bucs loss, or the dreaded tie scenario.

Published
John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net