NFC Playoffs: Chaos, cliffs, and a whole lot of movement

The NFC playoffs race is officially out of its mind. One week you are sitting in the driver’s seat, the next week you are hanging onto the rear bumper praying for traction. With four weeks to go, almost every contender is still in play for a top seed, a division title, or a complete meltdown.

NFC PLAYOFFS

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

Path: NFC West leaders, current No. 1 seed
The Rams jumped back into the top spot after destroying Arizona and getting help from the Bears. That Week 11 win over Seattle is carrying massive weight.
Remaining: vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)

Path: NFC North leaders
Green Bay beat Chicago again, flipping the division back in their favor while keeping pressure on the Rams. They are half a game off the one seed.
Remaining: at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

Path: NFC East leaders
Two straight losses, offensive chaos, and a shrinking lead over Dallas have them in a dangerous spot. They still control the division, but nothing about this team feels safe.
Remaining: at Chargers, vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

Eagles-Chargers Week 14 Preview: Must win game in Los Angeles

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

Path: NFC South leaders
A bad loss to New Orleans made things messy, but Tampa still holds the tiebreaker over Carolina. The division is a rock fight and nobody looks capable of pulling away.
Remaining: vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)

Path: Wild Card No. 1
Seattle briefly held the top seed on Sunday before the Rams took it back. Their three losses all came in the NFC, including two inside the division, which could haunt them.
Remaining: vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

Path: Wild Card No. 2
The 49ers are technically alive in the NFC West, but they are also one bad weekend from slipping into a fight for survival. Their schedule is no joke.
Remaining: vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

7. Chicago Bears (9-4)

Path: Wild Card No. 3
No team fell harder this week. Chicago went from the top seed to the seventh seed with one loss. They are still built for a playoff run, but the margin for error is almost gone.
Remaining: vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-5)

A massive win over Dallas keeps the Lions alive in both the division race and the Wild Card chase. Their remaining schedule will decide everything.
Remaining: at Rams, vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9. Carolina Panthers (7-6)

Carolina was off this week but basically drew even with Tampa in the NFC South. Their head-to-head opportunities against the Bucs will determine this race.
Remaining: at Saints, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

That loss to Detroit was a gut punch. Their best path now is hoping the Eagles continue to stumble and leave the NFC East door open.
Remaining: vs. Vikings, vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

Eliminated from NFC Playoffs

• New York Giants
• Arizona Cardinals
• New Orleans Saints
• Washington Commanders
• Atlanta Falcons

The NFC Playoffs are shaping up to be completely unpredictable. One bad Sunday can drop you from first to seventh. One big win can launch you right back into home-field contention.

Join The Chase