5. Wild Card updates: Carolina, Baltimore enter playoff picture
On Monday night, New Orleans has a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the NFC South and — at least temporarily — occupy a playoff spot if the team can take care of business against Chicago. Until then, it’s the Panthers sitting atop the division standings and Atlanta looking up at 5-9.
The Falcons lost to the Steelers, 27-20, while Carolina edged Tampa Bay, 19-17, at home. The Panthers, who all of a sudden have put together back-to-back wins, now sit at 5-8-1 and are very much alive in the NFC South race. If the Saints lose to the Bears, Carolina will control the divisional race for the remainder of the year.
Over in the AFC, San Diego’s loss to Denver elevated Baltimore into the final Wild Card spot. The Ravens handled the Jaguars, 20-12, and at 9-5 have the same record as division rival Pittsburgh with two games remaining. Thanks to their win against the Manziel-led Browns, the Bengals sit at 9-4-1, a half-game ahead of both the Ravens and Steelers in the AFC North standings. Cincinnati hosts Denver then travels to the Steel City to round out the year.
