In what looks to be a crazy ride to the playoffs, the scenario as we stand right now appears to be that whoever doesn’t win the NFC West is going to have a better record than any of the other division winners. The Niners, currently the 5th seed, and Seattle the 1 seed create a scenario where the 2nd best team in the league is the 5th seed and therefore must play an extra playoff game, as they’d be the top wildcard. Fair or not, that is the system as it stands. It may not come to pass, but it’s something to think about as the NFL debates changing the playoff structure (2 more WC teams) yet again.
Beyond the top 5 teams (Sea, NO, GB, (urk) Dal, and WC #1 SF), there is a mad scramble for the last playoff spot. Carolina has pushed their way into that spot with a 4 game winning streak. There are 6 teams with a fair to poor shot at getting that last spot. Their viability as a real contender comes into sharp focus with their trip across the country to the slimy confines of Candlestick Park next weekend. They also have NE, NO, and the surprising Jets. If they make the playoffs, they’d have earned it.
Detroit (5-3)
Chicago (4-3)
Arizona (4-4)
Philly (4-5)
Washington (3-5)
St. Louis (3-6)
Carol owns the tiebreaker with Deetroit with their win over them, but other scenarios will work themselves out as the season goes on. Detroit looks good what with their overpowering defense, and Matt Stafford playing strong. They have a huge division game with Chicago next weekend. Chicago may be hurting without Jay Cutler, but Matt Forte scored an ungodly 6 TDs yesterday but still lost to the ‘Skins. And they still have 2 games with GB, DAL, and Balt on their schedule. AZ? They are Jeckyll and Hyde-ing their way through the season. They’ve beaten Detroit, but no one else of note. They still have 3 division games, and look to fade. Philly? Another team wallowing in mediocrity. Although Nick Foles looks to have the starting QB job as of now after he dismantled the Raiders yesterday. He needs to come on strong to overcome GB, Detroit, Chicago and Dallas.
Washington and St.Louis? They would need divine intervention to get in. Although it worked for Minnesota last year. SO all these vyers for that last spot have to go through one another to get there. It looks to be a bloodbath, and it looks to be a hell of a lot of fun . . .
Forty Niners Forever 
If, when, the Pack get Rodgers back is still a mystery.
What any upcoming Team should be doing to prepare for them is, to stack the box and defend against Lacy.
GB relied almost exclusively on Aaron to be the Offense up until this year.
Now that they’ve discovered a viable ground game, I’d focus on taking it away.
Won’t lose a minute of sleep over GB struggling to survive in the Playoff chase either.
Hope they crash and burn.
Same. Last place I want to play a WC game is Lambeau if the Niners end up as a WC.
I’m not giving up hope on winning the West either 12th but….I’m leaning the same way.
Chicago or Detroit coming from the NFC North is better than GB.
Our biggest conerns would be NO and Seattle, maybe Carolina.
For now, we need to handle our business and stay hungry.
Nobody wanted to tackle Lacy last night. As long as Rodgers is out for only a few weeks they may end up better off having realized the potential of their running attack with Lacy and Starks.
Imagine how many yards he might have racked up if Rodgers had stayed in preventing the defense from stacking for runs.
Exactly NoFear49er.
Philly isn’t known for their Defensive Prowess at this point either.
They better be working on clogging up the gaps on Sunday.
GB isn’t nearly as formidable an opponent with Rodgers on the sideline.
Detroit better take advantage of this opportunity to gain some ground too.
Now that they shipped Ice to the Pats.
Not sure who they’re counting on to plug up the middle.
I guess they think their rooks are ready to play that two-gap scheme without big, expensive Isaako. Lacy is not a fair test. ILBs will have a long day.
Chicago got a big road win there. Now they have Detroit and GB at home to go. I’d expect them to emerge on top.
Lacy was very impressive.. I know he had that Alabama line blocking for him, but I was still surprised he went where he did in the draft.. Liked that kid since the first time I saw him play..
New thread is up.