1. NY Giants (11-2) Division wrapped up and in the playoffs regardless.
Defeated Seahawks 17-3, Lost to 49ers 35-21, Defeated Packers 38-21, Defeated Saints 28-27
Remaining Schedule: vs Skins, @Jets, vs Cowboys
How to Clinch- Already in. Magic number for homefield is 2.
2. Chicago Bears (10-4) Division is completely up for grabs. 1 game lead over Green Bay though GB has the tiebreak.
Loss to Saints 35-27, Lost to Packers 38-14, Defeated Panthers 38-13, Split vs Lions, Defeated Seahawks 34-14, Defeated Falcons 27-21
Remaining Schedule: @Packers, @ Vikings
How to Clinch- A win over the Packers clinches the division for the Bears and solidifies a playoff spot.
3. Carolina Panthers (10-4) Four conference losses plus a loss to the Bears and Packers hurts the Panthers in a tiebreak for the second seed. They also have a week 17 date with Saints still looming.
Lost to Packers 24-20, Lost to Bears 38-13, Defeated Saints 38-28, Defeated Lions 24-21, split vs Falcons
Remaining Schedule: vs Bucs, @ Saints
How to Clinch- A win over the Bucs and loss by the Saints. A week 16 & 17 loss could leave the Panthers out if the Falcons/Saints win their remaining games.
4. Seattle Seahawks(9-5) A costly loss to the Bears last week will likely keep the hawks in a 3 or 4 seed if they win out. Of course, there's still a week 16 date with the 49ers that will likely decide the division.
Lost to 49ers 20-17 (sub game), Lost to Giants 17-3, Lost to Bears 34-14, Defeated Falcons 31-14
Remaining Schedule: vs 49ers, @ Cards
How to Clinch- A win over the 49ers I believe gives them the division crown. That would make their divsion record 4-1 while the 49ers would drop to 2-4.
5. New Orleans Saints (10-4) The Saints continue to hang around, though only in a wild card spot for now. Things don't get easier though as they have two tough division games remaining on their schedule.
Defeated Bears 35-27, Lost to Packers 14-10, Lost to Panthers 38-28, Lost to Falcons 35-10, Lost to Giants 28-27, Defeated Lions 45-35
Remaining Schedule: vs Falcons, vs Panthers
How to Clinch- A win over the Falcons and loss by the Packers and Lions.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-5) The Packers have cooled off in recent weeks, but still find themselves in the middle of the heated NFC North race.
Defeated Saints 14-10, Defeated Bears 38-13, Defeated Panthers 24-20, Lost to Falcons 21-7, Defeated Lions 24-14, Lost to Giants 38-21
Remaining Schedule: vs Bears, vs Lions
How to Clinch- Possibly the toughest road to the playoffs. The Packers can't clinch this week, even with a win over the streaking Bears. They'll have to finish their business in week 17 against the Lions. If the Packers end up 10-6 or 9-7, they can still make the playoffs if various NFC teams in the race lose as well. The Packers own the tiebreak with every team except the Falcons.
7. San Francisco 49ers (8-5) After peaking with a win over the mighty Giants, the 49ers have gone on a severe cold streak that could cost them a playoff spot. The resurgence of the Seahawks hasn't helped them either.
Defeated Seahawks 20-17(sub game), Lost to Lions 35-28, Defeated Giants 35-21
Remaining Schedule: vs Steelers, @ Seahawks, @ Rams
How to Clinch- A loss to the Steelers and Seahawks ends their season. They control their destiny as long as they win out.
8. Detroit Lions (8-6) One of two X-factors in the NFC playoff race. Even at 8-6, the Lions can do severe damage to the way the NFC North race shapes up with a win over GB in week 17. A win over the Falcons and 49ers certainly helps their chances. Detroit will be rooting for Pitt this week.
Split vs Bears, Defeated 49ers 35-28, Defeated Falcons 21-0, Lost to Panthers 24-21, Lost to Packers 24-14, Lost to Saints 45-35
Remaining Schedule: vs Chargers, @ Packers
How to Clinch- Win out and pray for a San Francisco loss to strengthen their chances. That tiebreak will really come in handy.
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-6) The Falcons continue to fight, though at this point they're going to need some help. They need to beat the Saints in week 16 and have them lose again in week 17 to take their wildcard spot.
Lost to Bears 27-21, Lost to Seahawks 31-14, Defeated Packers 21-7, Split vs Panthers, Lost to Lions 21-0, Defeated Saints 35-10
Remaining Schedule: vs Jags, @ Saints, vs Bucs
How to Clinch- Even at 7-6, there's a chance, but they're going to need some help. A win over the Saints in week 16 puts them in position. A Panthers win over the Saints in week 17 as well as a loss by the Lions and 49ers would likely vault them ahead.