2021 NFL Playoff Picture Week 16 - 5 NFC teams battling for the wild card spots

Minnesota Vikings v San Francisco 49ers
Minnesota Vikings v San Francisco 49ers

NFC teams on the verge of confirming wild card spots

#3 - New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints are now firmly back in wild card spot contention after what they managed to pull off in Week 15.

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Led by a dominant defense, which is a change from what we have come to expect from Sean Payton, the Saints shut down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Their 7-7 record is identical to that of fellow wild card spot contenders Minnesota Vikings; but they will be looking at an easier fixture list going forward.

The Saints play the Dolphins, the Panthers and the Falcons in their final three games, all of which they will consider winnable, especially now that they are on a two-game winning streak.

#4 - Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Football Team v Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Football Team v Philadelphia Eagles

After winning two straight games, the Philadelphia Eagles are also making a case for being included among favorites to secure one of the wild card spots. They also have an identical 7-7 record to the two teams above them in wild card spot contention.

They defeated the Washington Football Team this week, pushing them to an 8-6 record and improving in their place. That they face them again in the penultimate game is cause for optimism. The Eagles have every chance of making one of the last remaining wild card spots.

#5 - Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons v San Francisco 49ers
Atlanta Falcons v San Francisco 49ers

Two teams are on a 6-8 losing record but are still in contention for the playoffs. The Washington Football Team were ignored from this list because they have the stronger schedule where they have to face the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, with their last game against the New York Giants looking like the most winnable.


Also read: NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Where does every NFC team stand?


The Atlanta Falcons, meanwhile, have games against the Lions, the Bills and the Saints, which on paper do look like an easier route to the wild card spots. But the Falcons are coming on the back of a losing weekend, and there is no guarantee that they can get this done.

Honestly, as one of the Rams or the Cardinals drops into the wild card spot, the Atlanta Falcons would be the most likely team on this list not to make it. Theirs is the only losing record among all the wild card spot contenders mentioned here, and barring an incredible reversal of fortunes in the last few weeks, they are on the outside looking in.

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Edited by Piyush Bisht
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