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Wow, nobody saw that coming. That was basically the equivalent of a 15 seed knocking off a 2 seed in the NCAA tourney. Sure, there were undoubtedly a few people that picked the Seahawks to win, but I'm sure nobody really believed their pick, and even if they did they certainly didn't foresee Matt Hasselbeck throwing the ball all over the Saints secondary like he was Tom Brady for a day, or Marshawn Lynch looking like Christian Okoye in Tecmo Bowl. Maybe I'm just bitter because I picked the Saints to win 45-10. Anyway, in the aftermath of this utterly stunning result, the path to the NFC Championship just got a little easier for at least one team left in the playoffs. The Bears and Falcons now have a clear rooting interest in tomorrow's Eagles-Packers game.
If the Eagles win, they'll be the highest remaining seed from the wildcard round and will face the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks would travel to Atlanta to play the Falcons. They'll never admit it, but be 100% sure the Falcons will be rooting hard for the Eagles to win. If the Packers win, they will play the Falcons, and the Seahawks will go to Chicago. Again, the Bears will never admit it, but they will be rooting hard for their hated division rival.
In any case, the NFC playoff race is a happier place now that the reigning champs have been bounced. Enjoy the long plane ride road, fellas.
For the rest of you, proceed directly to the Colts-Jets open thread.