NFC notes: nine teams fight for four playoff spots

Cold, Hard Football Facts for Dec 19, 2009

The following information comes from the NFL:

As the NFL enters Week 15, 11 teams are still alive for a playoff berth in the NFC as the push to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida heats up.

Two teams – the New Orleans Saints (13-0) and Minnesota Vikings (11-2) – have clinched a spot in the postseason. The Saints have already secured the NFC South and a first-round bye and aim to lock up homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs this weekend.

The primetime schedule for Week 15 features several NFC teams vying for a playoff spot.

On Saturday night (NFL Network, 8:20 PM ET), the undefeated Saints will host the Dallas Cowboys (8-5). Sunday night's contest (NBC, 8:20 PM ET) will pit two teams in playoff contention against one another when the Vikings (11-2) visit the Carolina Panthers (5-8). And on Monday night (ESPN, 8:30 PM ET), the New York Giants (7-6) will look to make a move in the NFC race when they travel to Washington to face the NFC East rival Redskins.

Following are the records of NFC playoff contenders, their remaining games and their wins and losses against other NFC playoff hopefuls:

NFC EAST

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	9-4	4-1	8-2	SF	Den	at Dal
Wins: Atl, Car, NYG (2); Losses: Dal, NO

DALLAS COWBOYS	8-5	2-2	6-3	at NO	at Was	Phi
Wins: Atl, Car, Phi, Sea; Losses: GB, NYG (2)

NEW YORK GIANTS	7-6	3-2	5-4	at Was	Car	at Min
Wins: Atl, Dal (2); Losses: Arz, NO, Phi (2)

NFC NORTH

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
MINNESOTA VIKINGS **	11-2	5-0	8-1	at Car	at Chi	NYG
Wins: GB (2), SF, Sea; Losses: Arz

GREEN BAY PACKERS	9-4	4-2	7-3	at Pit	Sea	at Arz
Wins: Dal, SF; Losses: Min (2)

NFC SOUTH

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS *	13-0	4-0	9-0	Dal	TB	at Car
Wins: Atl (2), Car, NYG, Phi;

ATLANTA FALCONS	6-7	2-3	5-6	at NYJ	Buf	at TB
Wins: Car, SF; Losses: Car, Dal, NO (2), NYG, Phi

CAROLINA PANTHERS	5-8	3-2	5-4	Min	at NYG	NO
Wins: Arz, Atl; Losses: Atl, Dal, NO, Phi

NFC WEST

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
ARIZONA CARDINALS	8-5	3-2	6-3	at Det	StL	GB
Wins: Min, NYG, Sea (2); Losses: Car, SF (2)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS	6-7	4-1	5-4	at Phi	Det	at StL
Wins: Arz (2), Sea; Losses: Atl, GB, Min, Sea

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS	5-8	3-3	4-6	TB	at GB	Ten
Wins: SF; Losses: Arz (2), Dal, Min, SF

* Clinched division ** Clinched playoff spot

By Kerry Byrne

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