Green Bay's 10th win (on Thanksgiving Day) eliminated
the Vikes from winning the NFC North this year.

Chicago's 7th loss today (Dec 2nd) eliminated them from
winning the NFC North.

Detroit can still win the North, but only in one scenario: win
all 4 remaining games and GB loses all remaining games.
Thus, GB wins the North with one more win, or one more
loss by Detroit.

Other NFC teams now incapable of winning their divisions:
Redskins, Eagles, Falcons, 49ers and Rams.

With one more win in any one of the 4 remaining games,
the Cowboys win the NFC East. Remaining opponents
are a combined 21 - 27.

With one more win, in any of the 4 remaining games, the
Buccaneers will clinch the NFC South (remaining opponents
are a combined 16 - 32).

With a win hosting the Cardinals next Sunday (Dec 9th),
the Seahawks will win the NFC West.

Although no NFC team is *mathematically* eliminated yet,
one more loss by Atlanta will put them out. San Fran
would be eliminated by a loss to the Vikings next Sunday,
or 2 losses in any of their three other remaining games
(those opponents a combined 19 - 16). Rams are out with
one loss, combined with a division win by the Cardinals.

Of the remaining teams who are not likely to win their divisions,
the 8 - 4 Giants are in top shape, with 2-game lead over the
nearest competitors: the three 6-6 teams.

But the Giants face a remaining four games which could easily
go 2 - 2. Of the three 6 - 6 teams, Arizona has the easiest four
closing games, followed by the Vikings, then Detroit (whose
remaining schedule looks very ugly, for a team that's lost their
last four games).

Of the five 5 - 7 NFC teams, the Redskins have a tough row
to hoe in the last 4: host Bears and Cowboys and visiting the
Giants and Vikings. Luckily, the Dallas game is the final week,
and the Cows will likely be playing the scrubs in Washington.

Most Likely To Be Crushed In The Last Four Weeks: Carolina.
At the Jaguars, then host Seattle and the Cowboys, then at TB
to finish the year. With Vinny at the helm... at least the Titanic
had a band.

Philly's not much better off: Giants, at Dallas and New Orleans,
then Buffalo. Two are rolling, NO is stumbling, and the scrappy
Bills might be fighting hard in Week 17.

Bears have it bad, but not *as* bad: at Redskins and Vikes, then
host GB and NO. Probable 7-9 for the recent conference champs.

The 5 - 7 Saints have a avian December: at the Falcons, host
the Cardinals and Eagles, then finish at Chicago. Not too bad,
but three of the four have playoff hopes today, so NO will have
to fight hard to make it in.

SL

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