How bad is the NFC West this season? Even with an embarrassing loss on the road to the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks still sit atop the division at 6-7, tied with the St. Louis Rams. With just three games left, including a Week 17 showdown with the Rams, it's looking more likely the winner of the NFL's most hapless division will finish either at or below .500. With the playoffs just around the corner, lets look at the (shudder) playoff picture.
Three teams remain in contention for the NFC West crown. Keep in mind the winner of the division will get a home playoff game in the first round, despite having a worse record than both wild card teams. At 6-7, the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks lead the way after 14 weeks, with the 5-8 San Francisco 49ers lying in wait.
What's left for each of the three teams?
Seattle Seahawks: vs Atlanta, at Tampa Bay, vs. St. Louis
St. Louis Rams: at Kansas City, vs. San Francisco, at Seattle
San Francisco 49ers: at San Diego, at St. Louis, vs. Arizona
Whichever NFC West team survives and makes the playoffs faces a tough task in the first round. While either the Rams, Seahawks or 49ers will have a home game, the opponent will be the top-ranked wild card team in the NFC. As it stands now, that would be the New Orleans Saints, at 10-3. The Saints have hosted both the Seahawks and Rams, easily dispatching each team.
Still, it's incredible one of these teams will secure a playoff berth and host a playoff game. The Seahawks are in the hunt, setting up an exciting finish to the season, no matter how bad the football is.