5 newcomers plus Falcons headed to playoffs

In the topsy-turvy NFC playoffs, only the Falcons return from last year, and they sneaked in as the sixth and final team. They narrowly avoided the same fate as the Cowboys, Seahawks, Packers, Giants and Lions — all sitting this one out.

The top five seeds are newcomers, led by the Eagles. They are going with a backup quarterback and are making their first trip to the postseason party since 2013. The Vikings are back after a year away, hoping to become the first team to ever play a Super Bowl in its home stadium.

The five new teams went a combined 32-48 in 2016 but 5921 this season, providing hope to all those franchises and fans who are already preparing for free agency and the draft.

The field features just two Super Bowl winners, the Rams at the turn of the century when they were based in St. Louis, and the Saints in 2010, when they upset the Colts and Peyton Manning.

The Rams, in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, host the Falcons on Saturday in the showcase of wild-card weekend. The Saints, who ended a fouryear playoff drought, host the Panthers on Sunday.

Strength and weakness of each team: File, Chris Szagola / AP

Philadelphia QB Nick Foles (9) throws against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles earned the top seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time since 2004. the unit: defensive end Alex Okafor, middle linebacker A.J. Klein and strong safety Kenny Vaccaro.