Every week teams are jockeying for position in the NFC Wild Card race. The Falcons take on the Cowboys in a battle of 4-5 records. The winner will be sitting pretty watching the rest of Week 11’s slate of games, which includes numerous matchups with playoff implications. Looking back after the final whistle of Week 17, there’s a strong possibility this week stands out as the one that separated the men from the boys.
Thursday, 8:20 ET: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
As much grief as the Thursday night games have gotten in the past, they have been wildly entertaining for the most part in 2018. This week we have another marquee matchup, pinning two teams in the thick of the Wild Card race. Green Bay still has an outside shot at their division, trailing the Bears by a game and a half. The Seahawks only hope of the playoffs is snagging a Wild Card spot. It is hard imagining them doing that without coming up with a home win against Green Bay in what should be a fantastic matchup in perhaps the best venue in the NFL.
Sunday, 1 ET: Houston Texans at Washington Redskins
Right now, the Redskins are firmly hanging on to a two-game lead in the NFC East. However, the way that division has gone in recent years, and the way the Redskins have faltered down the stretch, it is easy to see Washington sliding back into the Wild Card race by season’s end. The Texans are one of the hottest teams in football, winners of six straight and in control of the AFC South. This should be a game that comes down to the wire. If Washington can pull it out, it will be a giant step towards the NFC East crown, but a loss will give Dallas and Philadelphia new life.
Sunday, 4:25 ET: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
The Eagles are in an unfortunate situation coming off of a loss at home to the Cowboys only to face the hottest team in the league on the road. The Saints look unbeatable right now, having won nine straight and fresh off a drubbing of the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Eagles may have won the Super Bowl last year, but they have not looked anything like that team this season. Going into New Orleans and winning is an unlikely task, but the good news for the Eagles is that the NFC East could still be up for grabs with a Washington loss.
Sunday, 8:20 ET: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
This is a Sunday Night battle for first place in the NFC North. The loser will find themselves in the second Wild Card spot heading into week 12. The Vikings were a pre-season Super Bowl favorite. The Bears have become the darling of the NFC under second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky. A win for the Bears would go a long a way to, not only winning the North, but proving they are a legit contender. Once again, this has all the makings of a game that could go down to the final seconds. We will have a better idea of who is legit in the NFC once it ends.