By Harvey Hoffman
In the NFC East, the Eagles and Cowboys both remain alive for a division title.
Here’s how the entire conference shapes up after Week 12:
1. 49ers (10-1) Can their defense stop Lamar Jackson? If not, we could have a new No. 1 team in the NFC next week.
2. Saints (9-2) Survived the Panthers to essentially sew up the NFC South and they get their shot at the Niners in Week 14.
3. Packers (8-3) A second loss in three games keeps the Vikings right on top of them in the NFC North.
4. Cowboys (6-5) They fizzled in New England to keep hope alive for the Eagles.
5. Seahawks (9-2) Monday night’s game against the Vikings will be a big part of the seeding game.
6. Vikings (8-3) They should be well rested for Seattle after their Week 12 bye.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
7. Rams (6-5) Eight turnovers in the last three games are one of the reasons why it’s hard to believe the Rams can right the ship in December.
8. Bears (5-6) The good news is that they got a win and have the Lions on deck. The bad news is the Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs and Vikings are their final four opponents.
9. EAGLES (5-6) It’s been a rough year, but the schedule shows the Dolphins, Giants and Washington in the next three weeks so the division title probably isn’t running away from them.
10. Panthers (5-6) They may have lost even if Joey Slye made a 28-yard field goal, but it’s all the more painful that he did.
11. Buccaneers (4-7) Running the table would get them a winning season, but they haven’t won two straight games all year.
12. Lions (3-7-1) They’ll try to avoid a winless November against the Bears on Thanksgiving.
13. Cardinals (3-7-1) They can help spoil the season for the Rams this week.
14. Falcons (3-8) Atlanta reverted to form after a two-game winning streak.
15. Giants (2-9) Pat Shurmur is now 17-43 as an NFL head coach.
16. Washington (2-9) Selfies with Dwayne Haskins are all the rage these days.
