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As we get closer and closer to the end of the regular season, it’s time to start expanding our look each week to other teams in the NFC playoff hunt.
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Coming into Week 15, the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8) were both already eliminated from the division crown. The New Orleans Saints (11-2) had already clinched the NFC South, but the Carolina Panthers (6-7) were still in contention for a wild card spot, with the Saints and Panthers playing their first of two games in 14 days Monday night.
The Saints were able to win in a defensive showdown, 12-9, on Monday Night Football. The win improved the Saints to 12-2, and dropped the Panthers to 6-8, all but eliminating the Panthers from postseason contention.
Just to make the weekend even better, the Los Angeles Rams (11-3) fell in a surprising upset against Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles (6-7). The loss gave the Rams three for the season, meaning the New Orleans Saints have the best record in the NFC (and the entire NFL, for that matter).
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Now into Week 16, the Saints are in control of their own destiny as far as first round byes are concerned. A win, and the Saints clinch the #1 seed in the NFC.
The New Orleans Saints, fresh off a three-game road trip, are back in the Dome to host Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5-1) Sunday afternoon. A loss by the Chicago Bears (10-4) to the San Francisco 49ers (4-10) Sunday afternoon, regardless of the result of the Saints game, locks up at minimum, the #2 seed and a first round bye. A loss by the Los Angeles Rams (11-3) to the Arizona Cardinals (3-11) - the third and final afternoon game - coupled with a Bears loss, would still give the Saints the #1 seed.
But let’s not rely on the 49ers and Cardinals helping us out. Let’s just do it for ourselves.
#BeattheSteelers