The NFC playoff race is heating up, and the Los Angeles Rams are right in the thick of it. At 9-3, they’re still holding onto the top spot in the NFC West - but just barely.
One week after claiming the No. 1 seed in the conference, the Rams have slipped, and now they’re clinging to a divisional lead by a tiebreaker over the 9-3 Seattle Seahawks and just half a game ahead of the 9-4 San Francisco 49ers. In other words, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Three teams from the NFC West are currently on track to make the postseason, but the Rams’ grip on the division crown is anything but secure. This is the part of the NFL calendar where every snap matters - one win can vault you into a first-round bye, and one loss can send you tumbling into the wild-card fray. And with five weeks to go, nothing is set in stone.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Rams - and their NFC rivals - stack up after Week 13.
1. Chicago Bears (9-3)
The Bears pulled off a stunner by knocking off the Eagles, and just like that, they’ve surged to the top of the NFC standings. But don’t get too comfortable, Chicago.
The road ahead is brutal - two games against the Green Bay Packers and another against the Detroit Lions loom large. That’s a gauntlet, and it’s going to test just how real this Bears team is.
For now, they’re in the driver’s seat, but the next few weeks will determine whether they’re contenders or just December darlings.
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
The Rams may have lost their grip on the NFC’s top seed, but they still control their own destiny in the West. The schedule ahead offers some breathing room - three of their final five games come against teams with losing records.
But don’t let that fool you. The real showdown comes in Week 16, when they travel to Seattle for a divisional clash that could decide everything.
If LA takes care of business before then, that game could be for the NFC West crown. If not, they could be staring at a wild-card spot - or worse.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
After back-to-back losses, the Eagles are facing their first real turbulence of the season. But let’s not hit the panic button just yet.
While three of their final five games are against AFC opponents - which won’t impact NFC tiebreakers - they’ve got two key matchups left against the 3-9 Washington Commanders. Win both, and grab just one more victory against an AFC team, and Philly should be in good shape to claim the NFC East.
It’s not about style points now - it’s about stacking wins.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
The Bucs have weathered the storm - four losses in five games threatened to sink their season, but now they’re getting healthier and the schedule is easing up. The NFC South could come down to two games against the Carolina Panthers.
Even a split in those matchups might be enough if Tampa takes care of business elsewhere. This is a team that knows how to peak late, and they’re starting to look like a dangerous out in January.
Wild Card Watch
Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
Let’s be honest - no one wants to see Seattle as a wild-card team.
They’re physical, experienced, and hungry. The Seahawks still have a shot at the division, but they’ll have to go through both the Rams (Week 16) and the 49ers (Week 18) to get there.
Winning both is a tall order, but even a split keeps them in the thick of it. Either way, they’re going to be a tough out.
Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
The Packers are lurking - and they’ve got a shot to steal the NFC North.
But they’ll need to get through the Bears to do it, and there’s also a matchup with the 10-2 Denver Broncos coming up. That’s a big ask.
Still, with their defense tightening up and the offense finding rhythm, Green Bay is very much in the mix.
San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
The Niners have done what good teams are supposed to do - beat up on lesser opponents.
But the final stretch is a different beast entirely: matchups against the Colts, Bears, and Seahawks to close the season. That’s three playoff-caliber teams in a row.
If San Francisco can’t rise to the challenge, they could limp into the postseason on a losing streak - or miss out altogether.
Still in the Hunt
Detroit Lions (7-5)
The Lions have been fun, but the road ahead is brutal: Rams, Cowboys, Bears.
If Detroit wants to crash the playoff party, they’ll likely need to win out. It’s not impossible, but it’s a steep climb.
Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
The Cowboys are hanging around, but they’ve got no margin for error.
They need to run the table and get some help along the way. That’s a tough needle to thread, but stranger things have happened in December.
Carolina Panthers (7-6)
The Panthers have one job: beat the Bucs.
Twice. Those two games will likely decide the NFC South.
But they can’t afford to look past anyone - not the Saints, not the Seahawks. They already handled the Rams at home, but the rest of the schedule won't be so forgiving.
The Bottom Line
The Rams are still in the driver’s seat in the NFC West - but just barely. With the Seahawks and 49ers breathing down their necks, and a pivotal Week 16 clash looming in Seattle, every game from here on out is a must-win.
The good news? The Rams have been here before.
They know the path. And with a manageable schedule and a battle-tested core, they’ve got the tools to finish strong.
But in a conference this tight, there’s no room for missteps. The sprint to the postseason is on. Buckle up.