In our recent poll of Hogs Haven readers, an interesting aspect came to light - the expectations for the 6th and 7th seeds in the upcoming NFC playoffs. This poll provides valuable insights into fan thinking and the complexity of projecting playoff seedings.

Unraveling the Playoff Picture and Fan Confidence

Playoff Seeding Dynamics

This week, our poll focused on the 6th and 7th seed expectations. The results show that while there is some indication of fan thinking, it doesn't offer complete clarity. Overall, confidence in the team remains high, with 97% of fans surveyed expressing confidence in the Commanders' direction. Throughout the season, confidence has been consistently high, dipping below 92% only on two occasions - after the losses to Tampa Bay in Week 1 and the Cowboys in Week 12.This confidence extends to the poll responses, with the Commanders and Packers being the top two teams picked to finish as the 6th and 7th seeds. This may seem confusing, but it highlights the complexity of predicting playoff seedings in the NFC. Commanders fans here at Hogs Haven have faith that the team will make the playoffs in one of these two spots, even if the specific seeding is uncertain.The seeming inference is that fans expect either the Vikings or Lions (the team that doesn't win the NFC North championship) to fill the 5th seed, with the Packers and Commanders rounding out the NFC wildcard teams.

Packers Fans' Perspective

At Acme Packing Co., half the Packers fans said they expect the team to finish with a 3-1 record. If this comes true, the Commanders could only achieve the #6 seed by finishing 4-0 in the final games of the regular season. The second-most likely outcome according to GB fans, a 2-2 finish by the Packers, would open up the opportunity for Washington to jump into the 6th seed by winning 3 out of the final 4 games. A perfect 4-0 finish predicted by 21% of Packers fans would likely limit the Commanders' playoff opportunity to the 7th seed.

Sunday Night Football - Key NFC Matchup

A key game this weekend is the matchup between the 9-4 Packers and the 8-5 Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. This could be the game of the week for NFC teams. The Packers sit in 3rd place in the NFC North behind the Lions and Vikings, while the Seahawks are clinging to a half-game lead over the Rams, who beat the 49ers on Thursday night. With a tough road game in Minnesota in Week 17, a win this Sunday is crucial for the Packers' playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Seahawks play Minnesota a week earlier (Week 16) and finish their season at the LA Rams. The outcome of this game will have a significant impact on both teams' playoff chances.While Packers fans didn't vote on which team they expected to win, Seahawks fans did. Nationally, 62% of NFL fans responding to the email survey backed the Packers to win and cover the 3-point spread.

Commanders at Saints - A Crucial Game

For Commanders fans, the most interesting game will be in New Orleans at 1pm. The team is aiming to add to their current 1-game win streak and secure their playoff position. Nationally, 78% of fans surveyed believed that Washington will win by more than a touchdown to move to 9-5, which would be the team's first 9-win season since 2015 and only the third time since 2008 with more than 8 wins.Washington enters Week 15 relatively healthy after a bye in Week 14. New Orleans, on the other hand, will be without starting QB Derek Carr, who was injured last Sunday. Their most productive offensive skill player, Taysom Hill, was recently placed on season-ending IR, and they lost starting WR Chris Olave earlier in the season. The Saints will start 2nd-year backup Jake Haener at QB this week. He has appeared in 7 games this season and completed 14 of 29 attempts for 177 yards and a touchdown.Cornerback Marshon Lattimore will make his first game appearance in a Commanders uniform after being traded to Washington from New Orleans at the trade deadline. He will be motivated to play his first game as a Commander in the Superdome and get ready for next week's game against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, whose receivers have had success against the Washington secondary.

Prognostication for NFC East Teams

For the Eagles, the 2024 season has been going well after a rocky 2-2 start. However, the same can't be said for the Giants and Cowboys. The Giants have struggled this season and cut their starting QB, Daniel Jones, mid-season. An incredible 72% of national fans picked the Ravens to cover 14.5 points against the Giants. At this point, the Giants are mainly competing for the first pick in the 2025 draft. In the survey of Giants fans on Big Blue View, 74% predicted they won't win another regular-season game, while 24% predicted a single win.The nearly 50/50 split on the Cowboys-Panthers game isn't encouraging for Dallas fans, given the +2.5 spread against the 3-10 Carolina Panthers, who are on a 3-game losing streak. In the survey of Dallas fans at Blogging the Boys, only 16% said they want head coach Mike McCarthy back for the 2025 season.Meanwhile, the near 50/50 split on the Steelers-Eagles 'Battle of Pennsylvania' game should encourage Eagles fans as it has a +5.5 point spread for the Steelers. The Eagles haven't locked up the NFC East title yet, and a loss to the Steelers on Sunday could leave the door open for a late-season surprise run by Washington, who host the Eagles in Week 16.Join our partner FanDuel for all your betting needs.