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The race for the NFC playoff seedings is about to be absolute bonkers in Week 17, and that’s even before Marshawn Lynch jumped back into the mix.
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers beat the Vikings in Minnesota on Monday night, giving us three 12-3 division leaders – San Francisco, New Orleans, and Green Bay – heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
We also have the Seahawks at 11-4, who host the 49ers on Sunday night for the NFC West title as well as possible homefield implications.
Oh yeah, we also have the Eagles and Cowboys still battling for the final spot, which would be a No. 4 seed and a home wild-card game. If the Eagles win, they’re in. If the Eagles lose and the Cowboys win, Dallas is in.
The madness!
Just look at these possibilities courtesy of an easy-to-follow graphic from “SportsCenter with SVP: after Monday night’s game:
Here’s what we know – if the 49ers win in Seattle they are the No. 1 seed and will be at home for as long as they are in the playoffs. But if they lose in Seattle they will be the No. 5 seed. Wow!
The top two seeds are the key, of course, as it gives you at least one home game and a bye, which is huge.
Green Bay is currently the No. 2 seed heading into Week 17, If they beat the Lions in Detroit and the 49ers lose, then they’re the top seed.
New Orleans travels to Carolina to face the Panthers and could wind up with the top seed if the 49ers and Packers lose.
The Seahawks, who are amazingly brining back Marshawn Lynch because all of their running backs are injured, still have a shot at the top seed, but would need a few things to happen since they are 11-4.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is locked in as the No. 6 seed.
So who’s the favorite to win the NFC? You’re guess is as good as mine.
A few weeks ago it looked like the Seahawks, then they lost at home on Sunday to the Cardinals and are dealing with some tough injuries. But now Beast Mode is back, so who knows what kind of an impact he can have?
The 49ers are currently the top seed but they lost to the Falcons at home a few weeks ago and look beatable.
Maybe the old fellas – Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers – will have the best chance to battle for a trip to the Super Bowl. How awesome would that be?
Whew. This is going to be some fun football watching on Sunday.
Monday’s biggest winner: Skip Bayless’ microwave.
The dude who gets paid a lot of money to provide terrible takes on FS1 shot another corny video in his kitchen after Dallas’ loss to the Eagles and everyone on Twitter made fun of where he keeps his microwave. This is good fun.
Quick hits: How to fix the Cowboys… NFL influencers… Fitz’s perfect response.
– Our Steven Ruiz has 7 easy steps on how the Cowboys can become Super Bowl contenders next season. Hint: They need to fire Jason Garrett.
– Steven also ranked the 5 most influential coaches in the NFL over the past decade, too.
– Larry Fitzgerald had an awesome response to his dad’s phone going off mid-interview.
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(Follow me on Twitter at @anezbitt. It might change your life. Just don’t tell me about your fantasy team.)