Happy Holidays to all you readers out there! 

In the holiday spirit, here is a unique twist on the NFL playoff contenders as the season winds down...

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-2):

Team Outlook 

The Seahawks are in cruise control right now, yet they remain slightly vulnerable.  The Giants showed that the 'Hawks are beatable a few weeks back, as the wayward foot of Jay Feely single handedly kept New York from the win column.  Seattle does have great offensive balance combining the solid running game of Shaun Alexander with the capable passing game led by QB Matt Hasselbeck.  With a week off, the Seahawks could be tough to beat in a wide-open NFC playoff race.

What was in his stocking?

Shaun Alexander - The NFL Running Back Touchdown Record

Alexander tied Priest Holmes' mark of 27 TD's (with three scores on Saturday against Indianapolis)

Mike Holmgren - A "Cheesehead"

Don't worry Seahawk faithful; it was just some Green Bay fans begging Holmgren to come back to Lambeau Field.  Too bad for Packer fans, as they will get their wish in Week 17.

2. Chicago Bears (11-4):

Team Outlook

The Bears are an interesting team, with a very solid defense.  They are by no means flashy, and I (like many out there), have little faith in them reaching the Super Bowl.  Rex Grossman is rusty, and is returning to the helm during the final stretch of the season.  Chicago's defense is solid, but their anemic offense does not appear to have enough firepower to get the job done this year.  Furthermore, Chicago had the luxury of playing in a weak division.  The first round bye will help the Bears, but look for them to bow out sooner then later.

What was in his stocking?

Kyle Orton - A Lump of Coal (the full-sized wooden bench would not fit)

The former Purdue alum was bounced from the starting QB job after going 10-4 on the season.  Sure, Orton's game was flawed, but he got the job done, and that certainly must be a "tough pill to swallow".  Rex Grossman now gets the nod at quarterback for the Bears.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5):

Team Outlook

The Bucs will look to rest their playoff chances behind the "wheels of their Cadillac".  Cadillac Williams has had some health issues throughout the season, but is a legitimate running threat along the side of the versatile Michael Pittman.  Combine that with solid defense, and a fairly mistake-free Chris Simms, the Bucs should have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs.  However, a possible rematch with the red-hot Redskins (Tampa beat the 'Skins 36-35 on November 13^th) on Wild Card Weekend could be a roadblock that even the Cadillac can't drive through.

What was in his stocking?

Cadillac Williams - An Oil Change and Tune-up

Tampa Bay is hoping they will have a healthy and rested Williams, as well as a playoff home game.

Jon Gruden - A "Chucky" Doll

C'mon!  You know that someone has had to buy him one at some point in his life!

4. New York Giants (10-5):

Team Outlook

Like the Seahawks, the Giants have great balance.  New York boasts a solid defense led by Michael Strahan, a consistent running game led by Tiki Barber, and a streaky yet potent passing game led by Eli Manning.  Led by the hard-nosed Tom Coughlin, the Giants have a great shot to return to the Super Bowl this season.  If the seeds remain the way they are today, I would not be surprised if New York sneaks into the NFC Championship game. 

What was in his stocking?

Tiki Barber - A few early MVP votes

There is no doubt that Barber has taken this team on his back, and the Giants would not be where they are without him.

Michael Strahan - Contact info for a good dentist, who can fix the gap between his teeth.  Toss in with it the recognition for being the leader of the Giant defense.

5. Carolina Panthers (10-5):

Team Outlook

Carolina is a tough team to figure out.  One week they look unstoppable, and the next they are chock full of flaws.  For many weeks, I thought the Panthers should sneak back into the Super Bowl.  However, now I am having my doubts, especially if they are presented with a matchup against the Giants.  Either way, Carolina still has plenty of talent, and still has a shot to take their division.  In order to defeat the Panthers, their opponent must contain Steve Smith.

What was in his stocking?

Steve Smith - A restraining order from the refs in Week 16

Smith needs to keep a level head, as the Panthers will need him and his playmaking abilities in order to go deep in the playoffs.

6. Washington Redskins (9-6):

Team Outlook

The 'Skins are clicking right now, and have been a streaky team all year.  One week the offense is explosive, and the next Washington can't put points on the board.  After starting 3-0, the Redskins lost six of eight, and then followed that with four straight victories.  Now, one win over the Eagles, and the Redskins are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.  Joe Gibbs is back in a big way, and using his running game (featuring RB Clinton Portis) like the old days.  Mark Brunell's knee status is a slight worry, and offensive lineman Randy Thomas being out with an injury hurts even more.  However, a Redskins team clicking at the right time could make some major noise in the playoffs... that is, if they get in.  Washington owns the tiebreaker over Dallas.

What was in his stocking?

Daniel Snyder - A Playoff Berth

If possible to get a playoff berth into a stocking, Snyder would find a way.  One would have to imagine the Redskins owner is ecstatic to see Gibbs back, and that his 'Skins are one win away from a playoff berth.

Patrick Ramsey - A few Timeouts

Santa figured Patrick could use a few after blowing two in as many seconds in Saturday's game against the Giants.  On a side note, Ramsey filled in admirably for Brunell in the 35-20 win over New York.

7. Dallas Cowboys (9-6):

Team Outlook

Dallas is the "Bubble team" in the NFC at the current time.  Parcells rallied the troops to another thrilling victory to keep the Cowboys in the playoff hunt.  The win over Carolina kept Dallas alive, and now they will need help going into the final week.  A victory over the Rams followed by a Washington loss can get Parcells and the 'Boys back into the playoffs.  Once there, any team coached by Parcells has a chance at making a run. 

What was in his stocking?

Bill Parcells - "Jerry Jones Repellant"

With the team on the verge of potentially missing the playoffs, one would imagine that Dallas owner Jerry Jones is breathing down the back of Bill Parcells.

 

Coming up Next: The AFC analysis

In the meantime, Happy Holidays again to all... and to all a good night!