We’ve tracked these playoff pictures weekly to show how fickle these playoff races get. A couple of games ago, the San Francisco 49ers were sitting pretty in the No. 2 seed. Today, they are on the outside
looking in of the NFC playoff picture.
NFC Standings
Contenders
1) Philadelphia Eagles 7-2 (6-1 in the conference)
2) Seattle Seahawks 7-2 (4-2)
3) Detroit Lions 6-3 (3-2)
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-3 (4-2)
5) Los Angeles Rams 7-2 (2-2)
On Monday, Rohan asked whether the 49ers are true contenders after Week 10. I think these five teams can be considered NFC contenders, even though they have their faults.
The Eagles are the least impressive 7-2 team in recent memory. I think they get rolled in the playoffs. Their offense is anemic in most games, not unlike what they showed on Monday Night. Tampa Bay is banged up, and it shows. Those two teams are probably at the bottom of the first tier.
The Seahawks, Lions, and Rams are in a league of their own. Seattle does it with defense, while the Rams and Lions look like they can drop 35 on you in their sleep. Those three teams feel like a cut above the rest of the conference, and the most likely to represent in the NFC in the Super Bowl, especially now that Dan Campbell took over the play-calling duties in Detroit.
Pretenders
6) Chicago Bears 6-3 (4-2)
7) Green Bay Packers 5-3-1 (3-2-1)
8) San Francisco 49ers 6-4 (6-2)
There are three teams battling for the final two spots. The 49ers and Bears defenses make it difficult to put them in any contender conversations. Despite having winning records, both teams have negative point differentials. Chicago is on the 49ers’ schedule, and it’s a game the Niners should win. Should.
The Packers saw what life without Tucker Kraft was like against the Eagles. Jordan Love can put you in positions to win, but he can also single-handedly lose games. Green Bay’s defense is legit, but this is no longer a league where defense wins championships. You have to be able to score.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the 49ers or Packers upset a team in the playoffs if they do make it. But there’s a ceiling to both, given their shortcomings on each side of the ball. Then again, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur in a playoff setting is tough to bet against.
See ya next year
9) Carolina Panthers 5-5 (3-2)
10) Minnesota Vikings 4-5 (2-2)
11) Dallas Cowboys 3-5-1 (2-4-1)
12) Arizona Cardinals 3-6 (3-4)
13) Atlanta Falcons 3-6 (2-3)
14) Washington Commanders 3-7 (1-6)
15) New Orleans Saints 2-8 (2-6)
16) New York Giants 2-8 (1-6)
It would be more than an upset to see any of these teams sneak into the playoffs. It’d be shocking. The Panthers have a -45 point differential, despite being .500. They just scored seven points against the Saints, and have a quarterback who cannot see over the line of scrimmage.
And I’d still take Bryce Young over J.J. McCarthy, who is young, but he has six interceptions and three fumbles in four games. He was never asked to do much in college, and he really isn’t as a pro, and is still struggling.
Dak Prescott gives Dallas a chance. The defense does not. Nor does the Cowboys inability to run the ball. When you’re one-dimensional, you lose to teams like the Cardinals.
Arizona is playing the string out. It’s probably the last time we’ve seen Kyler Murray in the desert.
Atlanta trading up for James Pearce looks worse and worse by the game. Their offense doesn’t throw the ball between the numbers. Raheem Morris cannot manage a clock to save his life.
Jayden Daniels’ injury took the soul out of the Commanders. They did not want to play against Detroit at home. It’s unlkely they’ll show up in Spain against the Dolphins.
Will the Saints and Giants win another game this season?
