The New Orleans Saints were resting on their bye during Week 11’s games, and there’s a lot to learn about the state of the NFC playoff picture. If the postseason started today, the Saints would be hosting a home playoff game.
But about the other teams? Who is still in the hunt for a playoff seed? Let’s break it down:
1
NFC East champion: Philadelphia Eagles (8-1 pending Monday Night Football)
The Eagles go into their Monday night matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs (a possible Super Bowl preview) owning the conference’s best record. Their next four games:
- Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills (6-5)
- Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers (7-3)
- Week 14 at Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
- Week 15 at Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
2
NFC North champion: Detroit Lions (8-2)
Dan Campbell’s team rallied in a fourth-quarter comeback win over the Chicago Bears, and they’re in hot pursuit of the Eagles’ No. 1 playoff seed. Their next four games:
- Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers (4-6)
- Week 13 at New Orleans Saints (5-5)
- Week 14 at Chicago Bears (3-8)
- Week 15 vs. Denver Broncos (5-5)
3
NFC West champion: San Francisco 49ers (7-3)
The 49ers took care of business with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they lost key defensive back Talanoa Hufanga to a serious knee injury. Their next four games:
- Week 12 at Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
- Week 13 at Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)
- Week 14 vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
- Week 15 at Arizona Cardinals (2-9)
4
NFC South champion: New Orleans Saints (5-5)
The Saints are on top of the NFC South, and their schedule is set up to keep them there, if they’re up to it. Their next four games:
- Week 12 at Atlanta Falcons (4-6)
- Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions (8-2)
- Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers (1-9)
- Week 15 vs. New York Giants (3-8)
5
Wild card: Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
The Cowboys took down the Carolina Panthers with ease, fueled by second-year cornerback DaRon Bland’s fourth interception returned for a touchdown this season (tying an NFL record). Their next four games:
- Week 12 vs. Washington Commanders (4-7)
- Week 13 vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
- Week 14 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)
- Week 15 at Buffalo Bills (6-5)
6
Wild card: Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
Their next four games:
- Week 12 vs. San Francisco 49ers (7-3)
- Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
- Week 14 at San Francisco 49ers (7-3)
- Week 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)
7
Wild card: Minnesota Vikings (6-5)
Their next four games:
- Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears (3-8)
- Week 13 on bye
- Week 14 at Las Vegas Raiders (5-6)
- Week 15 at Cincinnati Bengals (5-5)
8
In the hunt: Green Bay Packers (4-6)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Packers held their own against the Los Angeles Chargers to stay alive as a distant wild-card hopeful. Green Bay has a better conference win percentage than some other teams in the hunt, giving them a useful tiebreaker. Their next four games:
- Week 12 at Detroit Lions (8-2)
- Week 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)
- Week 14 at New York Giants (3-8)
- Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)
9
In the hunt: Los Angeles Rams (4-6)
The Rams pulled off a stunning upset against the Seahawks, though there’s some anxiety in the wake of another injury for star receiver Cooper Kupp. Their next four games:
- Week 12 at Arizona Cardinals (2-9)
- Week 13 vs. Cleveland Browns (7-3)
- Week 14 at Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
- Week 15 vs. Washington Commanders (4-7)
10
In the hunt: Atlanta Falcons (4-6)
The Falcons were on bye this week, but they made the decision to stick with Desmond Ridder, not Taylor Heinicke, as their starting quarterback moving forwards. Their next four games:
- Week 12 vs. New Orleans Saints (5-5)
- Week 13 at New York Jets (4-6)
- Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)
- Week 15 at Carolina Panthers (1-9)
