NFC Playoff Picture After Week 14: Rams Reclaim Control, Seahawks Slip, and Packers Climb
Week 14 delivered the kind of drama that reminds us just how tight the NFC playoff race really is. For a brief moment, the Seattle Seahawks sat atop the conference after a clutch win, but that celebration didn’t last long. The Los Angeles Rams responded in emphatic fashion, going on a 35-0 tear against the Arizona Cardinals to not only erase an early deficit but to firmly reassert their hold on the NFC’s top seed.
That Rams win wasn’t just about reclaiming the No. 1 spot-it was a statement. After falling behind early, Los Angeles flipped the switch and never looked back.
That 35-point unanswered run showed exactly why this team is built for a deep playoff push. With the head-to-head win over Seattle now in their back pocket, the Rams sit at 10-3 and in full control of their destiny.
Seattle, meanwhile, finds itself in a familiar but frustrating position. Their win earlier in the day briefly pushed them to the top of the NFC, but the loss to the Rams later that evening knocked them back down.
Still, at 10-3, the Seahawks remain firmly in the hunt-not just for the division, but for the conference crown. And with a rematch against the Rams looming on December 18, there’s still plenty of football left to determine who comes out on top in the West.
Packers Surge, Bears Slide
While the Rams and Seahawks battled it out in the West, the Green Bay Packers quietly made one of the biggest moves of the week. Their win over the Chicago Bears vaulted them into the No. 2 seed in the NFC standings. At 9-3-1, Green Bay now holds the inside track in the NFC North and is suddenly in striking distance of the top spot overall.
For the Bears, Week 14 was a gut punch. They entered the weekend leading the division but left it clinging to the final wild card spot.
Their loss not only dropped them behind the Packers but also behind the 49ers in the wild card pecking order. Chicago’s 9-4 record keeps them in the mix, but the margin for error is shrinking fast.
Eagles Hold Steady, Bucs Stay Afloat
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t play until Monday night, but they’ll remain in the No. 3 spot regardless of that result. At 8-4, they’re still very much in the race for a top-two seed, though they’ll need help from above to make a serious move.
Tampa Bay, despite a loss, stays in control of the NFC South and holds the fourth seed at 7-6. It’s been a rollercoaster season for the Bucs, but in a division where no team has truly separated itself, they’re still standing.
Wild Card Watch: Seahawks, 49ers, Bears In - For Now
Seattle leads the wild card race thanks to their 10-3 record, but their recent loss to the Rams means they’ll need to keep winning to hold off the surging 49ers. San Francisco, fresh off a bye week, sits at 9-4 and looks poised to make a strong push down the stretch. With a healthy roster and a favorable schedule, the Niners are a team no one wants to face in January.
Chicago, as mentioned, now clings to the seventh and final playoff spot. Their 9-4 record keeps them in the postseason picture, but with the Lions and Panthers lurking just behind, the Bears will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid slipping out entirely.
Just Outside: Lions, Panthers Still in the Hunt
The Detroit Lions did their part with a win on Thursday, but they remain on the outside looking in at 8-5. They’ll need help-and likely a stumble from one of the teams above them-to crack the top seven.
Right behind them are the Carolina Panthers at 7-6. It’s a crowded field, and every game from here on out is essentially a playoff game for teams in this tier.
NFC Standings After Week 14
- Los Angeles Rams (10-3, win over SEA)
- Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-3, loss to LAR)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4, 8-2 NFC)
- Chicago Bears (9-4, 6-3 NFC)
- Detroit Lions (8-5)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
- Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
- New Orleans Saints (3-10)
- Washington Commanders (3-10)
- New York Giants (2-11, eliminated)**
NFC West: A Heavyweight Battle Brewing
The NFC West continues to be one of the most competitive divisions in football. The Rams lead the pack at 10-3, thanks to their head-to-head win over Seattle. But the Seahawks, also 10-3, are right there-and the rematch on December 18 is shaping up to be one of the most important games of the season.
The 49ers, sitting at 9-4, are quietly lurking and could still play spoiler-or even steal the division-if things break their way. They used the bye week to get healthier, and that could pay dividends in the final stretch.
As for the Cardinals, they showed some fight early against the Rams, but ultimately couldn’t keep pace. At 3-10, they’re playing for pride and development the rest of the way.
NFC West Standings After Week 14
- Los Angeles Rams (10-3, win over SEA)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-3, loss to LAR)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
Looking Ahead
With three weeks left in the regular season, the NFC playoff race is far from settled. The Rams and Seahawks are locked in a battle for the West-and potentially the conference’s top seed. The Packers are surging, the 49ers are lurking, and the Bears are trying to stop the bleeding.
There’s no shortage of intrigue, and with head-to-head matchups still to come, the playoff picture could shift dramatically before it’s all said and done. Buckle up-December football is here, and the NFC is wide open.