So my opinion is that no NFC team will make the Super Bowl this year if they are not the #1 or #2 seed. the teams are too good, I cannot see any team winning 3 road games as a wildcard, or a home game (as a 3 or 4 seed), then 2 potential road games. Yes it's possible, but to me extremely unlikely.
I believe the Hawks need to be the #1 or #2 seed to make the Super Bowl. As such, I have been thinking all night that (assuming the Hawks beat the Eagles), it's actually better if the 49ers beat the Packers on Sun night. I know it sounds crazy but here is my thinking.
The Hawks control their own destiny for the NFC West. if they win out, they win the West. if they enter Week 17 one game behind SF and beat them, they win the West.
I am concerned about winning the division and still being the #3 seed. We lost to the Saints, so they have the tiebreaker over us if we finish with the same record. Assume for a minute the Saints get the #1 seed.
the NFC East winner will be the #4 seed. so either the Hawks as NFC West Champs or GB/Min is the #2 seed.
Look at GB schedule after they play SF this week
at Giants
vs Redskins
vs Bears
at Vikings
at Lions
The Vikings game is probably the only game they lose in there. so if they beat SF, they probably finish the season 13-3. we don't know yet a tiebreak winner between Sea & GB for the #2 seed with both teams 13-3. and it will be very hard for the Hawks to go 5-1 down the stretch with this schedule and finish 13-3. I think 12-4 is the most likely outcome.
Minn can still win the NFC North, which would be ok if the Hawks beat Min on Dec 2nd and get the tiebreaker over them. I just think GB has such an easy schedule after this week they might be very hard for the Hawks to catch. If they lose to SF and then in Minnesota, the Hawks can potentially beat them on a tiebreaker at 12-4.
Don't get me wrong - I am not going to sit there Sunday night actively rooting for SF, I just have a feeling that at the end of the season, it might work out better for the Hawks if the 49ers actually beat the Packers this weekend. The 49ers next 2 games are at Baltimore and at the Saints. They will likely lost 1 or 2 of those and the Hawks can catch them or worst case stay 1 game back. Very likely the Week 17 game is going to be for the NFC West title (and be flexed to Sunday Night)
I just think the #1 or #2 seed is ultra critical. These seeds have dominated the playoffs for many years now, and the NFC playoffs this year are brutal. the importance of a bye and advancing cannot be overstated. anyone you have to play on wildcard weekend is a great team (maybe not great, but playing in Dal or Phi that weekend is not easy). then if you survive that you have to win in NO and in GB, or something like that. extremely hard.
I understand there are 6 games left and all of these games will not turn out as we think they might. but I love this playoff scenario stuff.
it's amazing the Hawks are 5-0 on the road, but I will take my chances with a bye and at least 1 home game, maybe 2. as someone stated earlier - the Hawks as the #1 seed are gold. I do not want to be the #5 seed just to have a chance to prove that 'the Hawks can win it all from the road' that is total nonsense, get the bye and get to the Super Bowl.