It seems like the NFL season started just yesterday… The Broncos were projected as contenders, the NFC East seemed destined for mediocrity, and no one expected the Chiefs to have two top-25 fantasy running backs.
Well, it seems a lot of things have been flipped on their head, as the 2022-2023 season will definitely be remembered by the sheer chaos that ensued on a weekly basis, including the largest comeback in NFL history, a trade deadline that saw stars like Christian McCaffery and Bradley Chubb move teams, and a Minnesota Vikings team that is 11-0 in one-score games.
Talk about entertainment!
As the season winds down with just two more games on the schedule, the race for the wildcard in the NFC is heating up, as five teams are competing for the two spots remaining. Who will end up on top is anyone’s guess, as all five of the teams have gone on excellent winning streaks as well as stacked up losses that make you question their legitimacy.
Here is our ranking of the five wildcard hopefuls in the NFC.
NFL playoff hopeful #5: Green Bay Packers – NFC North
Sure, the Packers have put together an impressive three-game winning streak including a win over the current playoff-bound Miami Dolphins.
But their other two wins came against the NFC’s worst team (Chicago Bears) and the reeling Los Angeles Rams. Not exactly earth-shattering opponents for the Packers to beat up on.
Even taking their recent success into account, the Packers still have to face the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, win both of those games, and hope the Commanders drop a game as well. At this point, I just do not think the Packers have the talent to pull it off. Their leading receiver has a whopping 688 yards(Allen Lazard), and with an offense that’s ranked #18 in points per game, it will be hard to keep up with the high-powered offenses of the Vikings and Lions down the stretch.
As great a career as Aaron Rodgers (4x NFL MVP) has had, times are changing in the NFC North, and this is looking to be the first year the Pack has missed the playoffs since 2017 unless Rodgers can turn back the clock and make us all eat our words once again.
NFL playoff hopeful #4: Washington Commanders – NFC East
Currently slotted in as the 7th seed in the NFC, the Commanders have had quite an interesting season to this point.
After trading for former #2 pick Carson Wentz in the offseason and banking on the progression of a scary defense that includes 4 first-round picks on the defensive line( Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, Chase Young), Washington looked to make some noise this season.
However, the Commanders ran into some early-season trouble, as the team started 1-4 and lost Carson Wentz to injury in week 6.
Insert backup QB Taylor Heinicke, who led a turnaround that saw Washington climb back to their now 7-7-1 record, including a 6-1 record immediately following their 1-4 start to the season.
Now cleared from injury, the Commanders have made the decision the roll with Carson Wentz for what will be a pivotal final two weeks for the team.
Win out and they’ve punched their ticket to the playoffs. A loss, however, could put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy, and missing the playoffs could raise questions about the decision-making in Washington for benching the guy who turned their season around (Heinicke), for an erratic decision-maker who started the season 1-4 (Wentz).
NFL playoff hopeful #3: Seattle Seahawks – NFC West
No matter how the Seahawks’ season ends, Geno Smith deserves his flowers. After getting drafted by the Jets in 2013, Smith fizzled out and became an NFL journeyman, with hopes of becoming a starter again looking bleak.
However, Smith has put up pro-bowl numbers this season and is leading a resurgent Seahawks team back into the playoff conversation, as the Seahawks currently sit as the 8th seed in the NFC, one spot out of the playoffs.
Even with a recent slip in play, the Seahawks boast one of the league’s best rookie draft classes with gems like Kenneth Walker, Tariq Woolen, and Coby Bryant making plays on a weekly basis, and still have a dynamic 1-2 punch at receiver in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
The Seahawks also have one of the more favorable schedules down the stretch, facing off against the reeling Jets and majorly disappointing Rams to end the season.
However, the Seahawks are currently on a 3-game losing streak and will need to step up their play if they are to make a serious push at the playoffs. After giving up a combined 75 points in their last 3 games, look for Seattle’s defense to be the X-factor in determining their playoff hopes
NFL playoff hopeful #2: New York Giants – NFC East
Currently slotted in as the 6th seed in the NFC, the 8-6-1 New York Giants have gotten to where they are on the back of a stout defense that ranks top ten in the league in most categories, and a tricky offense that keeps opposing teams guessing with a dynamic combo of mobile-QB Daniel Jones and pro-bowl running back Saquon Barkley.
The Giants have the easiest path to clinching a playoff spot in the NFC at this point, but a recent 1-4-1 stretch from the team makes you question their legitimacy when stacked against the more elite teams in the league.
With an offense that has not eclipsed 30 points the entire season, the Giants will go as far as the defense can carry the. Which is why the Giants did not get the top spot in these rankings.
NFL playoff hopeful #1: Detroit Lions – NFC North
The turnaround Dan Campbell has inspired in this young, hungry Lions team is nothing short of a miracle.
After starting the season 1-6, many thought the Lions to be left for dead. But then the team woke up and won 6 of their next 8 games to currently sit at 7-8, and 9th in the NFC playoff race. This is a team that no one wants to play in the playoffs, as the team has morphed into an offensive juggernaut, ranking top 5 in points, yards, and touchdowns per game in the NFL this season.
Aside from their gaudy offensive numbers, the Lions’ defense has become a strength down the stretch, leaning on contributions from 2022 draft picks Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston, Kerby Joseph, and Malcolm Rodriguez. While not perfect and still a bottom-ranked defense in points per game, the recent play in late-game situations is a sign of encouragement, including handing the 12-3 Minnesota Vikings their 3rd loss all season in the week 14 contest.
Feeding off the energy from their boisterous and confident coach, the Lions have cemented themselves as a real playoff threat this season, and have earned the #1 spot in these rankings.
With the NFC playoff race coming down to the wire this season, there will be plenty of exciting games and heartbreaking losses on the horizon with two weeks left to go in the NFL season.