Thread: SI Projects the Playoffs [Bears Wildcard]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...week-13/1.html

NFC

Matt Forte and the Bears beat the Eagles in Week 12, a win that could be crucial if it comes down to tiebreakers down the road.
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ATLANTA FALCONS (9-2)
If The Playoffs Started Today: In; No. 1 seed
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): at Tampa Bay (W); at Carolina (W); at Seattle (W); vs. New Orleans (L); vs. Carolina (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 13-3; No. 1 seed (win tiebreaker with New Orleans on record against common opponents)
Extra Point: If the Falcons can sweep a three-game road swing, they'll be in great shape . The key game in winning the common opponent tiebreaker with New Orleans? All the way back in Week 2, when the Falcons beat the Cardinals. (Arizona would later stun New Orleans in Week 5.)
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CHICAGO BEARS (8-3)
If The Playoffs Started Today: In; No. 2 seed
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): at Detroit (W); vs. New England (L); at Minnesota (L); vs. N.Y. Jets (W); at Green Bay (L)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 10-6; No. 6 seed (win tiebreaker with Philadelphia on head-to-head)
Extra Point: If the Vikings continue their turnaround, perhaps no team has a tougher final four games than the Bears. Losing three of four to finish, as we're projecting, wouldn't be great, momentum-wise, but would still be enough to sneak in.
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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-4)
If The Playoffs Started Today: In; No. 3 seed
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): vs. Houston (W); at Dallas (L); at N.Y. Giants (L); vs. Minnesota (W); vs. Dallas (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 10-6; out
Extra Point: Those back-to-back divisional road games in Week 14 and 15 will be crucial for the Eagles, who are 4-1 away from Lincoln Financial Field.
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ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-6)
If The Playoffs Started Today: In; No. 4 seed
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): at Arizona (W); at New Orleans (L); vs. Kansas City (L); vs. San Francisco (W); at Seattle (L)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 7-9; out
Extra Point: For a team that won one game in 2009, you can't ask for much more than being in control of your own playoff destiny heading into Week 17. Winning what would amount to a play-in game on the road against the 12th Man in Seattle, but that may be asking too much.
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-3)
If The Playoffs Started Today: In; No. 5 seed
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): at Cincinnati (W); vs. St. Louis (W); at Baltimore (W); at Atlanta (W); vs. Tampa Bay (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 13-3; No. 5 seed
Extra Point: Who would have thought a Week 5 loss against Arizona would hurt so much? Still, winning out and likely drawing the NFC West "winner" in the wild-card game means the defending champs would be feeling it heading into the divisional round.
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NEW YORK GIANTS (7-4)
If The Playoffs Started Today: In; No. 6 seed
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): vs. Washington (W), at Minnesota (W), vs. Philadelphia (W), at Green Bay (L); at Washington (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 11-5; No. 3 seed
Extra Point: The key game likely will be the road clash against the Vikings in Week 14. Lose that and the playoffs would essentially start three weeks early for the Giants.
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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-4)
If The Playoffs Started Today: Out
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): vs. Atlanta (L); at Washington (L); vs. Detroit (W); vs. Seattle (W); at New Orleans (L)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 9-7; out
Extra Point: If they go 3-1 over the next four weeks, the Bucs likely would control their destiny going into Week 17 against the Saints.
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GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-4)
If The Playoffs Started Today: Out
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): vs. San Francisco (W); at Detroit (W); at New England (W); vs. N.Y. Giants (W); vs. Chicago (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 12-4; No. 2 seed
Extra Point: Right now, we project the Packers, Saints and Chargers all having at least a five-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. No more than two teams have ever gone to the postseason on that long of a streak since the divisions realigned in 2002. If it does, you can chalk it up to the NFL backloading the schedules with divisional matchups to avoid teams playing meaningless games late in the season. Good job, Goodell.
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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-6)
If The Playoffs Started Today: Out
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): vs. Carolina (W); at San Francisco (L); vs. Atlanta (L); at Tampa Bay (L); vs. St. Louis (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 7-9; No. 4 seed (wins tiebreaker with St. Louis on division record)
Extra Point: It just feels wrong that a 6-9 team on a three-game losing streak would be able win its final game and make the playoffs. But that's precisely what we project. Welcome to the NFC West.
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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-7)
If The Playoffs Started Today: Out
Remaining Schedule (Projected Results): at Green Bay (L); vs. Seattle (W); at San Diego (L); at St. Louis (L); vs. Arizona (W)
Final Projected Record, Playoff Seeding: 6-10; out
Extra Point: Too many tough road games left for the Niners to get back into the mix in the very winnable West.