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Since the NFL decided to add three wild card teams to the playoff picture, things have become much more exciting. That will be the case as NFC teams have begun to fight their way to important wins that will help secure their spots in the playoffs.
Things in the NFC are far more competitive right now than in the AFC, as two of the three wild card teams are only separated by one game from those that are in the hunt.
Here are the top five NFC teams battling for wild card spots.
Which NFC team is likely to secure a wild card spot?
#5 - Carolina Panthers - (5-7)
The Carolina Panthers are going to have to fight hard to make sure they end up in a coveted wild card spot for the playoffs. Back-to-back losses to the WFT and Dolphins did not help their case or win total.
The Panthers' final five games will be extremely tough. They will see the Falcons, Bills, Buccaneers, Saints, and Buccaneers. The Falcons are also vying for a playoff spot, so they likely won't go down quietly. Having to face the Bucs twice in a three-week period isn't the best situation, but the hope for the Panthers is the Bucs land the #1 seed in the NFC and rest their starters in the final week of the season.
#4 - Minnesota Vikings - (5-7)
There isn't much worse than losing to a winless team, and that happened when the Minnesota Vikings fell to the Detroit Lions in their last game. Back-to-back losses to said Lions and the 49ers has left the Vikings outside looking into the wild card spot of the playoffs.
Their final five games include the Steelers, Bears, Rams, Packers, and Bears. This is a tough stretch for any team. Three divisional games and two playoff caliber teams won't make things easy at all for the Vikings. They will likely need to win, at least, three of these games to secure a wild card spot.
Also check out: Green Bay Packers Playoff History, Appearances, Wins and more
Top 3 NFC teams battling for a wild card playoff spot
Who is most likely to secure a wild card spot?
#3 - Philadelphia Eagles - (6-7)
The Philadelphia Eagles looked as though they might be in trouble with Jalen Hurts nursing an ankle sprain, but that wasn't the case as Gardner Minshew stepped in and lit the Jets up. Should Hurts be unavailable again, they should be happy with such a capable backup quarterback.
The Eagles are only one loss behind the current wild card playoff teams. Their final four games include the WFT, Giants, WFT, and Cowboys. This is a tough final stretch as these are all divisional games for them. However, the WFT currently holds the second wild card spot, and if the Eagles can beat them both times, they may take their spot.
#2 - San Franisco 49ers - (6-6)
Even though the San Francisco 49ers hold the third wild card spot, it is not secure at all. The 49ers are only one loss ahead of the Eagles right now, and should they lose a couple more games, they might just lose their playoff spot. Had they beaten the Seahawks, they would have been in better shape.
The 49ers final five games include the Bengals, Falcons, Titans, Texans, and Rams. The 49ers will need four of their final five wins to truly lock in a wild card spot, or to, at least, feel much safer about their chances. They should hope the Rams secure a first-round bye and will want to rest their starters.
#1 - Washington Football Team - (6-6)
In the same exact light and position as the 49ers, the Washington Football Team currently holds the second wild card spot, but that is not entirely secured right now. The WFT helped their case greatly by beating the Raiders. The WFT is also on a four-game winning streak that could be extended this Sunday.
However, their final five games include the Cowboys, Eagles, Cowboys, Eagles, and the Giants. The WFT is going to have a tough time against their divisional opponents, in the same way the Eagles will. The WFT will also need a minimum of four wins to truly secure their wild card spot for the playoffs. Any less could mean going home early.
