GREEN BAY – It's that time of year again. Path to the Playoffs is back, a weekly look at the NFC postseason picture that provides advice on whom to root for to help the Packers' playoff chances and positioning.
The Packers are right in the thick of it heading into Week 14 at 8-3-1, a half game behind the 9-3 Bears in the NFC North standings. The two archrivals square off this week with first place in the division on the line. No game is more important this week than that one.
Bigger picture, there are a total of 10 teams in the NFC above .500 and very much in the hunt with five games to play. There are only seven playoff spots, so three NFC teams that are currently above .500 will not get in.
Two of the 10, San Francisco (9-4) and Carolina (7-6), are on their bye this week. Beginning next week, no more byes.
As for all the others, any losses to playoff contenders will help the Packers as they fight for the NFC North title and the best possible playoff position. So let's examine:
Dallas (6-5-1) at Detroit (7-5) right off the bat Thursday night has big implications. This one's practically a toss-up in terms of rooting interest, but since it's generally best to keep division foes at arm's length, cheer for the Cowboys to beat the Lions and hand Detroit a sixth loss.
The two NFC West leaders, the Seahawks and Rams, have road games as decided favorites, with Seattle (9-3) traveling to Atlanta (4-8) and Los Angeles (9-3) at Arizona (3-9).
Pull for the surprises here and hope the Falcons can knock off the Seahawks and the Cardinals can upset the Rams. If those NFC West clubs don't get their 10th win yet, that's good news for the Packers, who are trying for their ninth this week.
In the NFC South, leader Tampa Bay (7-5) is hosting New Orleans (2-10). Carolina is right on Tampa Bay's heels in that division, and whichever one doesn't win it will be in the wild-card chase, so might as well pull for the Saints to beat the Buccaneers.
Last but not least, on Monday night, NFC East leader Philadelphia (8-4) is visiting the L.A. Chargers (8-4). Anytime an AFC team is facing an NFC contender, that's easy. Side with the AFC and root for the Chargers to hand the Eagles a third straight loss.
