NFC:

1. Bears have the toughest schedule, remaining opponents are now 38-23-1

T2. Giants opponents are 31-23

T2. Packers opponents are 33-25

4. Buccaneers opponents are 34-28-1

5. 49ers opponents are 34-29-1

6. Seahawks opponents are 27-25-2

7. Falcons opponents are 30-34

Falcons look like a good bet to maintain their #1 slot

AFC:

1. Ravens remaining opponents are 35-29

2. Colts opponents are 34-30

3. Texans opponents are 33-32

4. Steelers opponents are 30-33

5. Patriots opponents are 21-32-1

6. Broncos remaining opponents are a pathetic 18-36 (only 1 winning team: Ravens), includes 2 games against hapless Chiefs

From what I see, unless there is some serious slippage, these 6 teams are going to make the playoffs.

The only ones I see possibly slipping are: The Colts who still have 2 games against the 8-1 Texans, one against the 6-3 Pats, and games against the Lions and Titans, both of whom can be dangerous.

The other possible is the Steelers, especially if BR is going to be out a while. They have 5 division games left, 2 against the Ravens, 2 Browns, and one Bengals, plus the Cowboys and Chargers.

If either of those two do slip, someone else like the 4-5 Bengals or 4-5 Chargers or the Dolphins would have to step up and be counted.

Colts vs. Patriots Could a changing of the guard take place? If Andrew Luck's team takes out Tom Brady's team, that is what people will rumor.

Steelers vs. Ravens Ratbirds can assert dominance in division with a win. But Steelers could upset their apple cart with a win. But could the Steelers have won even with a healthy BR? Odds were against them. Without BR everyone will expect a massacre.

Bears vs. 49ers. May be the substitue QB Bowl with both Cutler and Smith possibly sidelined. What it probably will be is an epic defensive struggle for teams trying to assert the #2 slot in the NFC behind Atlanta....and a shot at the #1 if the ATL slips, which they are prone to do.