The NFC playoff picture is starting to take shape, and after a wild Week 13, there’s been a shakeup at the top. The Philadelphia Eagles, once in control of their destiny, are now looking a little too much like the 2023 version of themselves - a team that started hot but stumbled late. At 8-4, they’ve now dropped two straight, and the latest loss was a gut punch.
Philadelphia came into Sunday looking to rebound from a blown 21-point lead against Dallas. Instead, they ran into a buzzsaw in Chicago.
The Bears, behind a dominant performance up front, steamrolled their way to 281 rushing yards and 425 total yards of offense. That kind of ground-and-pound effort doesn’t just win games - it sends messages.
And the message was clear: Ben Johnson’s Bears are for real.
Now sitting at 9-3, Chicago has leapfrogged the Eagles in the standings and currently holds the NFC’s top seed. That jump was helped along by Carolina, who pulled off a surprise 31-28 win over the Rams, snapping L.A.’s six-game win streak in the process.
Matthew Stafford had his moments, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns, but turnovers were a killer - two interceptions and a lost fumble. Defensively, the Rams gave up 164 rushing yards, their second-worst showing of the year on the ground. That’s not the kind of defensive effort you want heading into the playoff push.
Let’s take a look at how the NFC playoff picture stands entering Week 14:
NFC Standings - Top 7 Seeds
- Chicago Bears (9-3) - 1st in NFC North
The Bears are riding high after a statement win over the Eagles and now control their own path as the NFC’s No. 1 seed. With a run game that’s clicking and a defense that’s playing fast and physical, they’re looking like a team built for January football.
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3) - 1st in NFC West
Despite the loss, the Rams still hold the second seed. But the cracks are starting to show, especially on defense.
They’ll need to tighten up if they want to hold off the surging Seahawks and make a deep run.
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) - 1st in NFC East
Two straight losses have dropped the Eagles from the top spot to third. The offense has been inconsistent, and the defense just got gashed by Chicago.
They’ve got time to regroup, but the margin for error is shrinking fast.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) - 1st in NFC South
The Bucs continue to lead the NFC South, but they’re far from dominant. Still, a division title keeps them in the mix, and with a veteran core, they’re not a team anyone will want to face in the Wild Card round.
- Seattle Seahawks (9-3) - 2nd in NFC West
Seattle is quietly putting together a strong season. They’re tied with the Rams in record, but tiebreakers keep them in the fifth spot for now.
That Week 15 showdown with L.A. could have massive playoff implications.
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) - 2nd in NFC North
The Packers are hanging tough in the NFC North race. That tie could come back to play a big role in seeding, but right now, they’re in a solid position to snag a Wild Card spot.
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4) - 3rd in NFC West
San Francisco keeps finding ways to win, and at 9-4, they’re very much in the thick of things. The NFC West is a dogfight, and the Niners are right in the middle of it.
In the Hunt
- Detroit Lions (7-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
- Washington Commanders (3-8)
The Lions and Panthers are knocking on the door, while the Cowboys’ tie keeps them in the hunt despite a shaky record. The rest of the group needs a lot of help - and fast.
Officially Eliminated
- New York Giants (2-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
- New Orleans Saints (2-10)
These teams are now playing for pride - and maybe draft position.
Projected NFC Playoff Matchups (Entering Week 14)
- (1) Bears - First-round bye
- (2) Rams vs. (7) 49ers A divisional battle right out of the gate. These teams know each other well, and it would be a physical, high-stakes matchup.
- (3) Eagles vs. (6) Packers Two teams with playoff experience and quarterbacks who can take over a game. This one would be must-see TV.
- (4) Buccaneers vs. (5) Seahawks Tampa Bay’s defense would have its hands full with Seattle’s balanced attack, but playoff football in Florida is always unpredictable.
The NFC is shaping up to be a grind to the finish. With four weeks left, seeding is anything but settled, and the race for the top seed - and that all-important bye - is heating up.
Buckle up. December football is here, and the playoff push is officially on.