A topsy-turvy Week 16 leaves NFC fans wondering. Philadelphia is on a roll, the Cowboys hot, and the playoff teams determined. Tonight's game versus Chicago means a whole lot more to all the teams than at week's beginning...

New Orleans is still the one seed. But they will travel to Carolina. The Panthers trounced the Giants in their last game in their stadium 41-9, pounded Minnesota the week before. I think most people will pick Carolina to win. The Saints are reeling, and only former-Redskins' kicker Suisham missed chip-shot has them still the one seed.

Minnesota is the two seed. Wins over the Bears tonight, and at home against the Giants will lock the two seed, and probably give them an improbable one seed. Can they right the ship in the cold of Chicago? Will New York mail it in next week?

Philadelphia is the three seed, the hottest team in the NFL. They beat us last year in the playoffs in the Dome. They have Brian Westbrook back, DeSean Jackson to go with rookie sensation Maclin. Donovan McNabb is on fire. The defense is outstanding. Most talking-heads have them now winning the NFC playoffs, but they may have to do it on the road.

Arizona is settled in the 4th spot, though they could rise much further. They play at 3:00, after the other games will decide if theirs' is important or not. Whatever happens, they will play at home at least once. Who knows which Cardinals team will show, but they have ultra-talent in Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Beanie Wells gives them two decent backs. Their defense is opportunistic.

Dallas has it all in their own hands. They can stop the Eagles and take the division. Tony Romo is hot, Miles Austin gives them a go-to receiver. The defense is improving rapidly. The big game is in Dallas, so the Cowboys may just pull it out. Easy to pick them, but do not forget they have not won a playoff game in more than a decade.

Green Bay is also ready. Ryan Grant is better than last year, Aaron Rodgers as productive as Drew Brees. The 3-4 defense is suspect, but the offense so good they can get away with suspect (just like the Saints). In fact, if they play New Orleans in the playoffs, it might be a 50-49 game.

Minnesota is worried. They have stumbled of late, and now must win on the road to keep home field for divisional round. Brett Favre and Childress are fighting, Percy Harvin has headaches, and the defense has looked Saints-like at times. But this is the Bears, they are hurting. Matt Forte has been stymied, Jay Cutler not the answer. It will not be easy, but it should not be hard, either.

I guess we will learn a lot tonight. Who are we?