The 2022 NFC playoff picture is coming down to the wire. Philadelphia and Minnesota are locked to win their respective divisions in the NFC. Even though the playoff picture won’t be set until Week 18, there’s still lots of football to be played. Week 14 wrapped up an interesting slate of games including some changes in the NFC standings. Some teams are starting to come close to winning their respective divisions in hopes of winning the Super Bowl in February.
Before we get to the playoff contenders by ease of the schedule, here are some predictions of who could win each division. Here is what betting sites such as Caesars offer for these games.
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC North: Minnesota Vikings
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
The Eagles, Vikings, and 49ers are the leading favorites to win their divisions. It’s not set in stone yet, but they are headed in that direction. However, as for the NFC South division, it’s more open than closed compared to the other divisions. The winner of the NFC South could be decided in the final two weeks of the season. Here’s how the NFC playoff contenders fare with their ease of schedule.
Ranking the NFC Playoff Contenders By Ease Of Schedule
San Francisco 49ers
Remaining opponents: @Seattle (W), Vs.Washington, @Las Vegas, Vs.Arizona
One of the most feared teams out of the NFC is the San Francisco 49ers. Despite having Brock Purdy as the team’s starting quarterback, the 49ers are close to punching its ticket to the playoffs. They are two games ahead of the Seattle Seahawks, who are also in the hunt for a playoff berth. These two teams will meet on Thursday Night Football and if San Francisco wins, the NFC West division crown will be theirs.
George Kittle (91.6) was the #49ers highest-graded offensive player and Nick Bosa (90.8) was the highest-graded defender last night, per PFF pic.twitter.com/v141DWEkSZ
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 16, 2022
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Remaining opponents: Vs.Cincinnati, @Arizona, Vs.Carolina, @Atlanta
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not the Bucs of 2020. Instead, they are now back below .500 after their nightmare performance against the 49ers. In addition to the loss, their division lead is now only a one-game lead after the Carolina Panthers won their game yesterday in Seattle. The Buccaneers can win the NFC South, but it could come down to the wire in either Week 17 against the Panthers or Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. Their next two games won’t come easy as they play the Bengals and then the Cardinals.
Philadelphia Eagles
Remaining opponents: @Chicago, @Dallas, Vs.New Orleans, Vs. NY Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles have the advantage over any other NFC team. The Eagles have a two-game lead on their division rivals the Dallas Cowboys as they already clinched a playoff berth with a win in Week 14. Philadelphia looks like they will be the clear favorite to get home-field advantage thanks to a two-game and tiebreaker lead over the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings
Remaining opponents: Vs. Colts, Vs.Giants, @Packers, @Bears
The NFC North division crown was an open game back in September. Now, the Minnesota Vikings are in the driver’s seat of winning the division. But, the Vikings failed to clinch the division after they lost to the second-place Detroit Lions on Sunday. After the loss, it looks as though Minnesota will be locked into this seed, having lost to the Eagles and Cowboys already. Surpassing Philadelphia for the top spot will require more efforts on the football.
Dallas Cowboys
Remaining opponents: @Jacksonville, Vs.Philadelphia, @Tennessee, @Washignton
Even though the Dallas Cowboys are in the playoff hunt, the NFC East division crown will likely be won by the Eagles. But, anything is possible in the NFL, so if they can make up one more game on their division foes before or after their Week 16 matchup, Dallas could win the division based on having the better division record. If not, well, expect the Cowboys to play on Wild Card weekend.
Seattle Seahawks
Remaining opponents: Vs. San Francisco (L), @Kansas City, Vs.NY Jets, Vs. LA Rams
The Seattle Seahawks are fighting for their playoff lives. After they got upset by the Panthers, the Lions are there behind them as they will continue to make things interesting in the final weeks of the season. Interestingly enough, Seattle still does have a path to the playoffs, but the door to open is even tougher with the loss on Thursday to the 49ers.
Washington Commanders
Remaining opponents: Vs.NY Giants, @San Francisco, Vs.Cleveland, Vs. Dallas
Despite having a bye week, the Washington Commanders are back in a playoff position. The New York Giants lost to the Eagles as Washington holds the tiebreaker due to a superior division record. They already defeated the Eagles on the road and now, the Commanders need to beat the Giants at home next week to stay in their playoff spot.
New York Giants
Remaining opponents: @Washignton, @Minnesota, Vs.Colts, @Eagles
Like the Commanders, the New York Giants are back in a playoff spot too. This only happened because of the Panthers defeating the Seahawks on the road. However, the Giants did lose at home to the Lions a few wells ago. Week 15’s matchup against the Commanders will be one to watch. Whatever happens here, one of these teams from the NFC East could play in the playoffs. As for the others, they could watch from home.
