The San Francisco 49ers get a much-needed bye week in Week 14. That doesn’t mean this week isn’t important. Despite not playing, the 49ers should move up in the NFC playoff picture today.
If you want the “weakest” teams in the playoffs, then you should want the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose to the 2-10 New Orleans Saints. Is that a likely outcome? Absolutely not. But Tampa Bay likes to play with its food, and the Saints get Chris Olave back. The Bucs and Panthers are a half-game apart in the NFC South with the same number of conference wins. I’d rather see Bryce Young than Baker Mayfield.
Anytime an NFC West opponent is taking on a non-divisional opponent, you root for the other team. This morning, the Seattle Seahawks are on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. No Drake London today for Atlanta, but teams in the NFL have historically fallen flat off shutout wins, making it a sleepy spot for the West Coast team traveling to the East Coast for an early kickoff. Do everybody a solid here, Kirk.
Later this afternoon, we have an NFC West matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. We want the Rams to lose, but it feels like the Cardinals are in the wrong place at the wrong time against a team coming off an upset loss. You never know in the division, but it’s not a great spot for the home team.
The last game that matters is between the No. 1-seeded Chicago Bears and the No. 6-seeded Green Bay Packers. It feels like a reality check is in store for the Bears, who have thrived on turnovers. Both teams have six conference wins. The Packers have three wins in the NFC North to the Bears’ one. Any outcome will benefit the Niners.
The Eagles are on the road, but that’s not until Monday night. They play an AFC team and are without Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter. It’s the Chargers, but Philly hasn’t inspired an ounce of confidence that makes you think they’ll win on the road.
We’ll be back with an updated NFC playoff picture.
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