WATCH: Extremely premature 2019 NFC Playoff Predictions
Every team in the NFL has played at least four games. There are still 12 weeks remaining, but it's never too early to take a quick peak at the playoff picture.
Here's are extremely premature predictions of how the 2019 playoff picture will unfold in the NFC.
1- New Orleans Saints (4-1)
The Saints remain the premiere team in the conference despite the absence of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.
Teddy Bridgewater likely wouldn't be able to lead New Orleans to the No. 1 seed starting the rest of the year, but Brees is expected to be back in Week 10, just in time to face the Falcons. Bridgewater has received plenty of help, but he's done a terrific job to ensure the Saints stay the favorite in the NFC South even without Brees for several weeks.
2- Seattle Seahawks (4-1)
Quarterback Russell Wilson has been in the MVP conversation for a couple years, but he may finally stake claim to the award this year. He's the best quarterback going in the NFC right now, and the Seahawks always find a way to get better as the calendar changes to November and December. If that happens again this year, the Seahawks could turn into the favorite in the NFC.
3- Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
Ironically enough, the Eagles are the best team the Falcons have played this year, and that's the game Atlanta won. Philadelphia has dealt with injuries at wide receiver, but the Eagles picked up a huge win on Thursday night in Week 4 at Green Bay to avoid an 1-3 hold and took advantage of a depleted Jets squad on Sunday.
Carson Wentz seems to still be finding his way, but the Eagles have proven their championship mettle the last two years.
4- Green Bay Packers (4-1)
Honestly, this is the team I believe in the least of any on this list. Aaron Rodgers has yet to truly get going in Matt LaFleur's offense, and while the defense has been opportunistic with turnovers, it's also give up a ton of yards.
Furthermore, the NFC North is the most fascinating division in the NFL, making it possible to pick any of the four teams to come out as the division winner. But the Packers have an early edge because they already have wins against the Bears and Vikings. Green Bay and Detroit will meet in an important early-season matchup on Monday Night Football during Week 6.
5- Dallas Cowboys (3-2)
It has not been pretty for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense the last two weeks, but ultimately, there's too much talent on this roster to expect them to continue to fall. Dallas did just lose to two teams that I'm projecting at the moment to be division winners.
Good teams sometimes lose to other good teams.
6- San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
Boy, there are a ton of teams vying for this last NFC Wild Card spot. For one, the inclusion of the 49ers means no defending conference champion Los Angeles Rams. It also means no Chicago Bears, who won 12 games a season ago. Detroit, Minnesota and Carolina have also looked like viable playoff contenders the last few weeks.
But as the only undefeated team in the NFC, they couldn't be excluded on my first extremely premature playoff picture. The schedule -- two against the Seahawks, two against the Rams and then matchups with the Saints, Packers, Ravens and Panthers -- is a bit brutal, which keeps them in the wild card position for now, but San Francisco looks for real
