NFC Playoff Picture After Week 14: Rams Take the Lead, But the Race Is Far From Over
The Rams are back on top. After a dominant Week 14 win over the Cardinals, Los Angeles now holds the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff race.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves - this is far from a done deal. With four weeks left in the regular season, the NFC remains a tightly packed battlefield, especially in the West, where three teams have racked up nine or more wins.
The separation between first and third? Just one game.
So, with two games left in Week 14 and a whole lot of football still to be played, let’s break down where things stand in the NFC playoff picture - and what lies ahead for the contenders.
1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
Current Seed: 1st in NFC
The Rams reclaimed the top spot with their win over Arizona, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Their offense came alive in Week 14, but they’ll need more of that down the stretch. Two of their final four games are against current playoff teams - and they’re just five days apart.
Here’s what’s ahead:
- Week 15: vs.
Lions (8-5)
- Week 16 (TNF): at Seahawks (10-3)
- Week 17 (MNF): at Falcons (4-9)
- Week 18: vs.
Cardinals (3-10)
If LA wants to lock up the NFC’s top seed, they’ll have to earn it. That Week 16 trip to Seattle could be the tipping point.
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
Current Seed: 1st in NFC North
Green Bay’s win over the Bears in Week 14 shook up the playoff standings. Now sitting just behind the Rams, the Packers control their own destiny - but they’ve got a brutal slate ahead. They’ll face the Bears again, the 11-2 Broncos, and two other tough outs in the Ravens and Vikings.
The Packers are battle-tested, but this stretch run will be a serious gut check.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
Current Seed: NFC East Leader
Philadelphia is flirting with a three-game skid, and the schedule isn’t doing them any favors. They’ve got a road trip to face the Chargers (8-4) and a winter showdown in Buffalo (9-4) before things ease up with the Raiders (2-11) and two games against the Commanders (3-10).
The Eagles have some cushion, but they’ll need to weather this storm to avoid slipping into wild-card territory.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
Current Seed: NFC South Leader
Tampa Bay has dropped five of its last seven and is clinging to the division lead. The good news?
They’ve got two games left against Carolina (7-6), plus matchups with Atlanta (4-9) and Miami (6-7). The bad news?
There’s no guarantee they win any of them.
The Bucs are trending in the wrong direction, and the Panthers are right on their heels. The NFC South crown is still very much up for grabs.
5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
Current Seed: Top Wild Card
Seattle might be the best wild-card team in football right now, but let’s pump the brakes on any talk of them running the table. They’ve already lost to both the Rams and 49ers - and they’ll face both again in the final stretch.
Their remaining schedule includes:
- Rams (10-3)
- 49ers (9-4)
- Colts (injury-riddled)
- Panthers (7-6)
Seattle’s playoff path is anything but smooth. They’ll need to prove they can beat the teams that have already gotten the better of them.
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Current Seed: Wild Card
The 49ers are coming off a late-season bye and are set to face the Titans in Week 15 - a matchup they’re heavily favored in. But after that, things get trickier with games against the Colts, Bears, and Seahawks.
San Francisco has capitalized on a soft schedule so far, but the competition stiffens in the final month. We’ll find out soon if they’re built for a deep playoff run.
7. Chicago Bears (9-4)
Current Seed: Wild Card
The Bears have been scrappy all year, and they’ll need every bit of that grit to survive their final stretch. They get the Browns in Week 15, but then it’s a gauntlet: Packers, 49ers, and Lions.
Chicago’s resilience has carried them this far, but the road ahead is steep. If they want to stay in the playoff picture, they’ll have to earn it the hard way.
Still in the Hunt
- Detroit Lions (8-5): They’re next up for the Rams and still very much a threat. But one more loss could seriously damage their playoff hopes.
- Carolina Panthers (7-6): Two games against the Buccaneers give them a shot to take the NFC South. And right now, they look capable of pulling it off.
- Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1): It’s a long shot, but not impossible. Dallas needs to win out and hope for some help - specifically, a total collapse from one of the teams ahead of them.
Bottom Line
The NFC playoff race is heating up, and Week 14 was just the beginning. The Rams may be sitting in the driver’s seat, but the road to the postseason is full of sharp turns and potholes. With four weeks to go, every game matters - and the margin for error is shrinking fast.
So buckle up. Week 15 is coming, and the playoff picture is far from settled.