What NFC teams have the most first downs in 2011?  An intelligent answer would be one of the NFC Division contenders, like the Green Bay Packers (7-0), San Francisco 49ers (6-1), Detroit Lions (6-2) or New York Giants (5-2). But in fact, none of them are in the top 3 NFC teams with the most first downs heading into Week 9 of the NFL season.

The top 3 NFC teams with the most first downs are the New Orleans Saints (5-3), Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) and the Carolina Panthers (2-6). The Saints have accumulated 202 first downs so far in 2011, 51 rushing and 140 passing.  The Eagles are next with 170 first downs, 74 on the ground and 92 in the air.  Surprising, the Carolina Panthers have the third most first downs in the NFC with a total of 177, 65 rushing and 99 passing.

The Saints also hold the distinction of leading the NFC in 3rd down efficiency, successfully converting a 1st down 56.3% of the time.

More on First Downs Don’t Equal Success In The NFC

The Arizona Cardinals take on the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFC Divisional Playoffs on Saturday. The Cardinals are coming into New Orleans off an exciting 51-45 Wild Card overtime win against the Green Bay Packers. The NFC South Champions New Orleans Saints are coming off a bye week. They clinched the NFC South Division and the bye, going 13-0 before losing their last three regular season games.

The Saints are favored by 7 points in this Divisional playoff game. The under/over is an astounding 57 points. Here is a preview of the NFC Divisional Playoffs between the Cardinals and the Saints:

In last week’s Wild Card game, the Cardinals were without star WR Anquan Boldin. But his replacement Early Doucet and WR standout Larry Fitzgerald caught 2 TDs apiece to pick up the slack. Boldin is expected to place on Saturday.

QB Kurt Warner had a big day against the Packers, throwing for 379 yards, 5 TDs and only 4 incompletions. The Cardinals needed all of that plus an interception return just to play in this NFC Divisional Championship game.

The New Orleans Saints cruised in their last three games of the regular season after going 13-0. Saints QB Drew Brees had a great year throwing for 34 TDs and only 11 INTs.

As a team the Saints are ranked 1st in total offense, 4th in passing and 6th in rushing. The Cardinals are 15th in total offense 12th in passing and 28th in rushing.

Defensively both teams are in the lower ranks. The Saints are ranked 25 in total defense, 26th against the pass and 21st against the rush. The Cardinals are 20th overall defensively, 23rd against the pass and 17th against the run.

The Cardinals offense averages 344 total yards, 251 yards passing and 93 yards rushing
The NO Saints defense averages 357 total yards allowed, 235 yard passing and 122 yards rushing

The NO Saints offense averaged 403 total yards, 272 yards passing and 131 yards rushing
The Cardinals defense averages 346 total yards allowed, 233 yard passing and 112 yards rushing

The New Orleans Saints have the edge in this NFC Divisional Playoff because they are rested, healthy and playing at home. The Cardinals on the other hand come off an emotional game that went into overtime. They have some nagging injuries and their defense has given up more than 500 yards on two occasions this year.

Expect a high scoring affair with the Saints coming out on top.

Thenflthisweek.com Prediction:

Saints 38 Cardinals 28

sources: espn.com, nfl.com, usatoday.com

Going into week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, the NFC playoff picture is pretty clear. Four teams have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs; they are the Saints (13-1), Vikings (11-3), Cardinals (9-5) and Eagles (10-4). Three other teams are in the hunt for the final two NFC playoff spots, they include the Cowboys (9-5), Packers (9-5) and the Giants (8-6).

Here is the NFC playoff picture going into week 15 of the NFL season:

New Orleans Saints (13-1)

• Clinched the the NFC South and a first-round bye
• Clinches homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
  A win or tie OR
  Minnesota loss or tie

Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

• Clinched NFC North
• Clinches first-round bye with:
  A win and Philadelphia loss or tie OR
  A tie and Philadelphia loss

Arizona (9-5)

• Clinched NFC West

Philadelphia (10-4)

• Clinched a playoff spot
• Clinches NFC East with:
  A win and Dallas loss or tie OR
  A tie and Dallas loss

Green Bay Packers (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  A win and Giants loss or tie OR
  A win and Dallas loss OR
  A tie and Giants loss

Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  win and Giants loss or tie OR
  tie and Giants loss

The New York Giants are still in the NFC playoff picture but it will take a loss by both the Packers AND Cowboys over the next three weeks in order for them to have a chance.

sources: NY Daily News, nfl.com, espn.com