New Orleans Saints

Predictions for the top 10 teams in the NFC Wild Card race: Are the Saints worthy?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With five games left the NFC playoff race is now is in its final push. There are ten teams vying for those two coveted Wild Card spots at season’s end. Here is the list from best to worse.

Next: 1. New York Giants

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 27, 2016: Quarterback Eli Manning

The Giants are one of the hottest teams right now outside of Dallas. The Giants have won six in a row and have positioned themselves as the solid leader to get the Wild Card spot as it stands now.

Furthermore, their record is 8-3 and are only lower than the division leading Seattle Seahawks. December 11th will be a key game against the Cowboys. They do have a tough schedule remaining, as every single team is still in the hunt for the playoffs. Still though, all the Giants would need is a 2-3 record at least to clinch.

Prediction 11-5

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) throws the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

This is gonna shock a lot of people, but the schedule sets up nice for the Vikings in these last five weeks. After a tough game this week against the Cowboys, the Vikings will face the Jaguars, Colts, Packers, and Bears. The Vikings will go 4-1 to finish the season and grab the second Wild Card.

Prediction 10-6

ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 24: Washington Redskins (WR) Jamison Crowder (80) tries to elude Cowboys (CB) Orlando Scandrick (32) during the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins on November 24, 2016 at AT&T Stadium

Ties always seem to complicate playoff races, and this is another time where that tie will matter. The Redskins have the head to head win against the Vikings, but the schedule is simply too touch for the Redskins to grab four wins. Kirk Cousins is having a great year and the Skins are playing fabulous no doubt. The biggest hurdle will be a ton of teams with a similar record.

Prediction 9-6-1

TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Doug Baldwin

The NFC South is still totally up for grabs. Tampa Bay could still easily win this division. As it stands now though, the Falcons hold a slim lead. That being said, the Buccaneers slow start really did not help them at all. With two games against the Saints and a road game against the Cowboys, a 4-1 finish will be simply too much. Next year though, the Bucs will be the team to beat in the NFC South.

Prediction 9-7

Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles fan react as time winds down on a game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Green Bay Packers won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

This picture says it all. Green Bay always finds a way to make that run to grab a spot in the postseason. Last night was a must win game and the Packers delivered. Regardless, the Packers have been struggling losing the last four games before the win last night. The Green Bay Packers will miss the playoffs in 2016. Bank on it.

Prediction 9-7

Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) after his touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 49-21. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints are really coming on in late November. The defense is starting to show life with a consistent pass rush. Mark Ingram is running angry and wide receiver Michael Thomas is becoming a star. Unfortunately, it’s a matter of too little too late. The Saints sluggish start will once again hurt them for an opportunity to play past New Year’s Day.

Prediction 8-8

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

A plethora of experts picked the Cardinals to go to the Super Bowl this year. However, The Cardinals will simply miss out on the playoffs altogether. With three of the last five games on the road the Cardinals face an uphill battle with other teams ahead. Last week’s blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons 38-19 just about put the the dagger in. They will finish with a respectable record but a definite disappointment.

Prediction 8-7-1

Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) is called for a penalty as he grabs the facemask of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Green Bay Packers won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Oh poor Philly fans. After a hot start to the season the Eagles have simply lost its wings. After last night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers their playoff hopes are dangling at best. Carson Wentz though will be the quarterback for the Eagles for a long long time. At least Philly fans can have hope for the future.

Prediction 6-10

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strips the football from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers had a shot Sunday to get right back into the playoff race but lost a tight one to the Oakland Raiders. It’s hard to believe that this team went into the Super Bowl last last year against the Denver Broncos. Last year seems like a decade ago. The Panthers will likely finish last in the NFC South this year.

Prediction 5-11

Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 49-21. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams have a reason to hope as Jared Goff improved from his debut performance last week significantly. The only problem was that the Saints were exceptional on Sunday. The Rams will need divine intervention to make the playoffs in 2016. Even then it might not be enough. Maybe next year…