The NFC has been demonstrably better than the AFC this season, and the playoff chase looks to be much more heated. Right now, there are 5 teams with 6 or more wins, including the only remaining remaining unbeaten team in the regularly criticized Atlanta Falcons. What really makes it interesting is once you get past the teams with 6 wins, there are 5 other teams at .500 or better who are fighting, at this point, for that 6th spot. It's going to be a lot of fun to see who can hold on.
1. Atlanta Falcons NFC South Division Leader
The Falcons are not a perfect team, as has been pointed out repeatedly by the pundits. What they are, however, is unbeaten and coming off another road win. They have a good defense that is #3 in points against in the NFC, while it continues to search for a consistent pass rush. They have a very good secondary, and a solid front 7 that plays a physical brand of football and does enough to give the ball back to Matt Ryan and the Offense. The offense is as loaded, at the skill positions, as any in football. Ryan does not get much love as a top-flight QB, but if he is not there, he is not far behind. He has a pair of solid back in the physical Michael Turner, and the waterbug Jaquizz Rodgers. He has the best receiving Tight End in the history of the NFL in Tony Gonzalez, and likely the best set of Wide Receivers in the league with Roddy White and the beastly Julio Jones providing the deep threats to keep defenses honest. Flat out, they are #1 until someone beats them.
2. New York Giants NFC East Division Leader
Eli has slipped a bit over the last few weeks from where he started the season, but the Giants are still at the top of the NFC East with a convincing win over the 49ers. The concern with the Giants, especially if you are a fan of them, is their mercurial nature. They can be the best team in the league, or the worst. You never know which team is going to show up. Most of that is on Eli. When he is thinking, and calm, he is as good as his brother ever was...if not better. But he has downside that we rarely see from any other QB who has been able to keep his job. It's an important note to remember though, those bad times never seem to come in the 4th quarter or playoffs.
3. San Francisco 49ers NFC West Division Leader
This is the bully on the block, if not necessarily the best team. With the exception of their surprising loss to the Vikings and the manhandling that the Giants gave them, these 49ers have reminded us of what the NFL used to be. If what they showed us in the passing against against the Arizona Cardinals turns out to be foreshadowing, rather than an aberration, these Niners could quickly be the favorite for the title. They run the ball hard, and they hit you in the mouth. If Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss can remember that they are supposed to be stars, things could get very interesting.
4. Chicago Bears NFC North Division Leader
The Bears defense is not quite as old as people though it was. They still have gas in the tank, and play between solid and dominant, depending on the week and the opponent. The weak points list for this team, is now a singular list. Their offensive line continues to be the weak link in the chain. They need to play with balance to help that line out and slow down the pass rush in order to keep Jay Cutler upright and slinging the ball. If they can do that, they can legitimately beat anyone on this list.
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