NFC Power Rankings: Rams-Seahawks TNF Looms Large as Playoff Race Heats Up
The NFC playoff race is shaping up to be a thriller, with a deep pool of contenders and a real possibility that a team with double-digit wins could be watching the postseason from home. That’s how tight the margins are right now. And with Week 16’s Thursday Night Football showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks on deck, the playoff picture is about to get a lot clearer - or maybe even more chaotic.
That primetime clash isn’t just a battle for NFC West supremacy - it’s a potential decider for the conference’s No. 1 seed. Both teams have looked like the class of the NFC, and with so much at stake, expect playoff-level intensity under the lights. The winner takes pole position in the NFC standings, while the loser likely slides into the wild-card mix - a tough pill to swallow for two teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
With all that in mind, here’s a fresh look at the NFC Power Rankings heading into a pivotal stretch of the season.
16. Arizona Cardinals
The wheels have come off in Arizona. After a promising 2-0 start, the Cardinals have dropped 11 of their last 12, and the struggles go far beyond the win-loss column.
This is a team in need of a full reset - from the front office to the field. With the offseason on the horizon, don't be surprised if sweeping changes are on the way in the desert.
15. New Orleans Saints
There’s a silver lining in New Orleans, and his name is Tyler Shough. The rookie quarterback has injected some life into the Saints, who’ve strung together back-to-back wins and are showing signs of growth late in the season.
A five-game win streak to close the year isn’t out of the question - and while 2025 hasn’t gone to plan, there’s reason to believe the Saints could be a sleeper team in 2026.
14. New York Giants
Jaxson Dart might just be the guy. The Giants’ rookie quarterback has flashed big-time potential, but he’s also taken a beating behind a shaky offensive line.
If he can learn to protect himself - and the Giants can build a better structure around him - there’s something to work with in New York. For now, though, it’s another year of dysfunction for Big Blue, with the hope that 2026 brings a more stable foundation.
13. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are limping toward the finish line. Michael Penix Jr.’s knee injury has derailed any momentum Atlanta hoped to build, and the team’s overall performance has been underwhelming.
Head coach Raheem Morris may be on the hot seat - a solid defensive mind, but the results just haven’t been there in the top job. Atlanta could be headed for another offseason of change, and they’ll need to hit the reset button if they want to get back on track in a competitive NFC South.
Stay tuned as we continue climbing the rankings and break down how the rest of the NFC stacks up heading into the home stretch - especially with that Rams-Seahawks showdown looming large. The playoff race is about to hit another gear.