As the season heads into the final stretch, the haves and have-nots are clear. But how will the season play out?
Ahead of Week 11, Yardbarker writers predict the final record and identify the most important game remaining for all NFC teams.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (3-6) | Predicted final record: 5-12 | With four division games and matchups against tough-luck Cincinnati and Tampa Bay remaining, the Cowboys need more than what backup quarterback Cooper Rush can offer to finish with their fourth straight winning season. Games against the Giants and Panthers are winnable, but Dallas will get no mercy from the Commanders or Eagles as those teams battle for the division title and playoff seeds. | Most important remaining game: at Philadelphia (Dec. 29)
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-8) | Predicted final record: 3-14 | Losers of five straight games, the Giants must use their Week 11 bye to figure a way to score more than a league-worst 15.6 points per game. With quarterbacks Kirk Cousins (Atlanta), Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore) and Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay) on tap, New York may only win against Bryce Young’s Carolina Panthers in the second half — with or without QB Daniel Jones. | Most important remaining game: vs. Tampa Bay (Nov. 24)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-2) | Predicted final record: 12-5 | On a five-game winning streak leading into Thursday’s game against Washington, the Eagles have the edge on the 7-3 Commanders, But four of those wins came against losing teams (2-7 Browns, 2-8 Giants, 2-8 Jaguars and 3-6 Cowboys). With back-to-back road games against the Rams and Ravens upcoming and two matchups against the Commanders, Philly fans should be glad their team took care of business early. | Most important remaining game: at Washington (Dec. 22)
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-3) | Predicted final record: 12-5 | Of the Commanders’ remaining opponents, only the Eagles and Falcons have winning records, but they must play Philadelphia twice. As long as Washington splits with Philadelphia and avoids being upset by the Cowboys, Saints and Titans, the NFC East could come down to the wire with tiebreakers determining the winner. | Most important remaining game: vs. Philadelphia (Dec. 22) — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-4) | Predicted final record: 11-6 | The Cardinals have a legitimate shot to win the NFC West thanks to the resurgence of QB Kyler Murray, the arrival of rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and a defense that is starting to find its way. Games against New England and Carolina should be easy wins, so Arizona is in outstanding shape. | Most important remaining game: vs. San Francisco (Jan. 5)
LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-5) | Predicted final record: 9-8 | After starting the season 1-4 primarily because of injuries at wide receiver, the Rams are starting to play better (Monday’s loss to Miami being the exception). QB Matthew Stafford has juice left in that right arm, L.A.’s young defensive line can cause problems and the Rams have favorable games remaining (Jets, Patriots and Saints). | Most important remaining game: at San Francisco (Dec. 12).
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-4) | Predicted final record: 11-6 | The 49ers have not looked like themselves this season, but they have been 4-5, 6-3 and 5-4 through nine games over the past three seasons. The Niners tend to play their best down the stretch, and with back-to-back wins, they might be starting to hit their stride again. | Most important remaining game: at Arizona (Jan. 5)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-5) | Predicted final record: 7-10 | Maybe getting wide receiver D.K. Metcalf back will help jump-start the offense, but even with him, this is still an extremely flawed team. The defense is just as bad as the previous two seasons under Pete Carroll (23rd in the NFL in points against at 24.6 PPG), and quarterback Geno Smith has not found any consistency — he leads the NFL in interceptions (10). | Most important remaining game: at San Francisco (Nov. 17) — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (4-5) | Predicted final record: 6-11 | Chicago has all six of its divisional games remaining and, given the talent in their division, it likely will win only one of those. Outside divisional play, the Bears have a road game against the rejuvenated San Francisco 49ers (5-4) and their most feasible win, a Week 17 home game against the Seattle Seahawks (4-5). | Most important remaining game: at Green Bay (Jan. 5)
DETROIT LIONS (8-1) | Predicted final record: 13-4 | Detroit seems destined to drop one of its remaining games, probably against Minnesota (7-2), which nearly overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Lions in Week 7 or against Green Bay (6-3). Detroit probably will sweep the Chicago Bears (4-5) to finish 5-1 in divisional matchups. Their other two projected losses could come in a Dec. 15 home test against the Buffalo Bills (8-2) and a 2023 NFC Championship Game rematch at the San Francisco 49ers (5-4). | Most important remaining game: at San Francisco (Dec. 30)
GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-3) | Predicted final record: 11-6 | The Packers have yet to get a convincing win that proves they belong in the playoffs (just two of their six wins came by more than one TD.) A manageable remaining schedule includes home games against the Chicago Bears (4-5), New Orleans Saints (3-7) and Miami Dolphins (3-6), providing Green Bay with opportunities to pick up a statement win and clinch a playoff berth. | Most important remaining game: at Detroit (Dec. 5)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-2) | Predicted final record: 11-6 | Minnesota’s recent success heavily depends on an elite defensive play covering up for abysmal offensive showings. That was most evident in the Vikings’ 12-7 Week 10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) in which QB Sam Darnold tossed three interceptions. The back half of their schedule will test the defense, as five of their remaining opponents — Detroit (8-1), Green Bay (6-3), Atlanta (6-4), Arizona (6-4) and Seattle Seahawks (4-5) — boast top-15 scoring offenses. | Most important remaining game: vs. Green Bay (Dec. 29) — Josh Eaton
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (6-4) | Predicted final record: 10-7 | After spending the past six seasons with the Vikings, QB Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota in Week 14 for one of Atlanta’s four games against teams at or above .500 from Weeks 11-18. Depending on how the standings shake out, it could also be a preview of a January wild-card game. | Most important game: at Minnesota (Dec. 8)
CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-7) | Predicted final record: 4-13 | The Panthers are riding high after winning in consecutive weeks for the first time since Weeks 1-3 of the 2021 season — their two-game winning streak in 2022 was split by a Week 13 bye. They’ll come back to reality over their last seven games, but at least the season will end after their road trip to Atlanta in early January. | Most important game: at Atlanta (Jan. 5)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-7) | Predicted final record 7-10 | | New Orleans is getting healthier, with offensive lineman Erik McCoy expected back soon (potentially Sunday) and several key players, including QB Derek Carr, versatile playmaker Taysom Hill and LB Demario Davis, having returned in recent weeks after missing time. Its game on Sunday against Cleveland will be the second under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who will improve his odds of receiving a full-time job by going on a winning streak. | Most important remaining game: vs. Cleveland (Nov. 17)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-6) | Predicted final record: 10-7 | The Bucs endured the league’s toughest schedule over their first 10 games, playing teams with a combined winning percentage of .656 and only one (New Orleans) with a losing record. Their reward is a cupcake schedule down the stretch, with a Week 15 game at the Los Angeles Chargers the only time they play a team above .500. | Most important remaining game: at L.A. Chargers (Dec. 15) — Eric Smithling
