The last division to be decided will likely be the South. The team it sends to the playoffs probably won't have a winning record. The New Orleans Saints were the only team in the division to win on Sunday, leaving a mess in theNFC South picture. Carolina's 24-16 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 15 was a prime example of a division that can't get out of its own way. The change of the Dolphins has been made by Tyreek Hill.
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Should the Carolinas take a quarterback regardless?
The division is close to being the first to produce two teams with losing records in the playoffs. Three teams have made the playoffs with a losing record.
The only team that can get in with a winning record is the only team that lost on Sunday, and they would have to win out to avoid that.
The Washington Commanders made the playoffs at 7-9 in 2020 and the Carolinas did it at 7-8-1 in the same year.
The Commanders lost to the Bucs in the first round of the playoffs in those years.
If the Buccaneers win their final three games, they will make the playoffs, even if they don't win their last game.
There is still a chance for the other three teams to get into the playoffs.
The other playoff scenarios can be found in the research.
The Carolinas have an advantage over the Saints and Falcons because they have a better record than the other two teams. They will win the division if they win their last three games.
If the Falcons lose next week, they will be out of the wild-card race, but still have a chance to win the division. The Falcons need to win their final three games to have any chance of making the playoffs.
The Saints have a chance to make the playoffs if they beat the Carolinas. They would need the Falcons to lose to either the Ravens or theCardinals in order for them to have any chance of winning the Super Bowl.