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NFL Notebook, Week 12: NFC’s elite, Jason Garrett’s future, fantasy sleepers and more

By Zach Cohen

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Mike Person #68 and Mike McGlinchey #69 after throwing a touchdown pass to George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers #85 in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Mike Person #68 and Mike McGlinchey #69 after throwing a touchdown pass to George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers #85 in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shakes hands with Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers after their game at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shakes hands with Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers after their game at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

NFC: No Freaking Clue

The NFC is up in flames. The 8-3 Packers lost to the 10-1 49ers, who lost to the 9-2 Seahawks, who lost to the 9-2 Saints, who lost to the 6-5 Rams… Wait, the Rams aren’t that good, you can forget them. How likely is it that each of those teams reach the Super Bowl? I ranked them:

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1. 49ers – A dominant primetime win against the Packers has to scare the rest of the league. In case you didn’t know, San Francisco is legit. Their next two games are tough, though: At New Orleans and at Baltimore. (Also, how cool would a Ravens-49ers Super Bowl be?)

2. Saints – Their game against San Francisco on Dec. 8 might foreshadow the NFC Championship. The Saints are rolling, even when they were without Drew Brees,. That loss to Atlanta was weird, but other than that, is there any more balanced team than New Orleans?

3. Seahawks – Their matchup against Minnesota will be huge for both teams. Aside from them and the 49ers, the rest of the schedule is favorable. Even if the run game has been shakier than usual, never count out Russell Wilson.

4. Packers – Ditto Aaron Rodgers. He’s too good, though the defense has been slacking recently. Luckily for Rodgers, he’s got a fantastic duo in the backfield to compensate for an oft-injured receiving group. An away battle versus Minnesota seems like their only real remaining test.

5. Vikings – I threw them in because of their record, but I don’t know if Kirk Cousins is capable enough to lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl. Luckily, he doesn’t need to. Minnesota has an elite rushing attack with Dalvin Cook, a hot passing game and a top defense. Their matchups versus the Packers and Seahawks will be pivotal to securing a division title.

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