NFC Playoff Picture

    Written by: Nate Wyrsch •

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    David Montgomery rushing against the Seahawks

    The NFC Playoff Race is heating up, and now that bye weeks have finally concluded, it is time to take a peek at who currently is in.

    One Seed- The Detroit Lions (Clinched Berth)

    The Lions are one of, if not the best, team in football and currently hold the bye week in the NFC. Sitting at 11-1, they have no room for error as both the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles are breathing down their necks. Detroit currently holds the best point differential in the league at +183, and have scored the most points by far, with 417. Anchored by potential MVP Candidate Jared Goff, they have been able to throw the ball at will, and with their running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, opposing teams can not slack off and ignore the run game. Defensively, the Lions are as solid as they come and have some of the best young defensive backs in the league. This team seemingly has no weakness, and will face potentially their toughest remaining opponent in the Buffalo Bills next week. If they can fend off the Bills, they look good for a spot at the first seed

    Two Seed- Philadelphia Eagles (Clinched Berth)

    The Eagles are currently 11-2 and the hottest team in the league. After starting off 2-2, and fans starting to worry a little, Saquon Barkley and company flipped the switch and riddled off nine straight wins. The acquisition of Barkley has clearly been the most important in football, giving the Eagles possibly the best run game in the league and even leading to Barkley receiving some MVP clamour. The Eagles back recently set franchise history for most yards in a season– and it is only Week 14. He currently has 266 carries for 1,623 yards and 11 touchdowns and is even on pace to break the all-time regular season rushing record set by Eric Dickerson. Even with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith struggling with injuries, the Eagles offense has had no problem putting up points. Their defense is also considered the best in football, with their rookie duo of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell tearing it up. The Eagles believe they can get the top seed, deservedly so, and can get there much easier if they can beat a surprising Pittsburgh Steelers team this weekend.

    Three Seed- Seattle Seahawks

    The current leader of the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks, currently sit in the third spot with a record of 8-5. The Seahawks are currently having a better than expected season, and rebounded great. After losing five out of six games and dropping to 4-5, they were able to win four straight, three against divisional rivals, and reclaim the lead. Geno Smith is having himself a great season, currently sitting second in the NFL in passing yards (3,474) and 14 touchdowns. The emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba was much needed, and he pairs up great with DK Metcalf. Although the running game has slightly stuttered, Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet have combined for 942 yards and 14 touchdowns. Seattle has a tough end to the season, hosting both Green Bay and Minnesota, but if they can keep playing the way they have been, they should be able to hold onto the NFC West.

    Four Seed- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Tampa Bay is currently holding onto their playoff spot by a threat, with a 7-6 record they are just one game over the Falcons. The Buccaneers started off the season great, with a 4-2 record and wins over both the Lions and Eagles, but lost their two star receivers, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in a loss against the Ravens. Just getting Mike Evans back, they are starting to heat up again, winning three straight. Their running back duo of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving has been very effective all season, and the Buccaneers offense must continue to put up numbers if they want to make a playoff spot. They end the season with a tough game at the Chargers, but then three very winnable wins against the Panthers, Cowboys, and Saints.

    Five Seed- Minnesota Vikings

    The Vikings currently hold the fifth spot in the playoffs, but at 11-2, are almost guaranteed to get in. Minnesota is only one game out of the number one overall seed and the NFC North lead, and have another game against the Lions, so they are not worried at all about where they currently sit. The acquisition of Sam Darnold has been surprisingly massive for the Vikings, and he is having a career season. Darnolds emergence is even more surprising as he was not even supposed to be the starter this season, but came into the picture after JJ McCarthy needed surgery. Although having a rough past couple weeks, Aaron Jones has put together a pretty successful season, and is looking good to rush for over 1,000 yards. Both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are having themselves great seasons, and make the Vikings a threat over the air. Minnesota has strung together six straight wins and have three huge divisional matchups left in the final four games.

    Six Seed- Green Bay Packers

    Another NFC North team on the list, the Packers are currently 9-4 and are another team that will likely hold a playoff spot. After losing in the NFC Championship last season, the Packers were expected to be a top team this season, which their record indicated they are. Jordan Love appears to be putting himself in the elite QB category, and their receiving core has been very solid all season. Whether it be Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, or even Tucker Kraft, it feels like the Packers always have someone to throw to, and their options are endless. The signing of Joshua Jacobs has been great for Green Bay, as Jacobs has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season. They have also been pretty sound defensively, with Xavier McKinney leading the league in interceptions, as well as one of the best turnover ratios in the league. The Packers will close out the season with some big games, highlighted by this week's matchup with the Seahawks and their Week 17 matchup with the Vikings.

    Seven Seed- Washington Commanders

    Perhaps the biggest surprise of all the playoff teams, the Commanders are the current holder of the final spot. Sitting at 8-5, they have a one game lead over the Rams and favorable schedule to end the season. Jayden Daniels has had a great rookie campaign, and has been very reliable for the Commanders. He is a threat both on the air and on the ground, and has opened many doors for the play calling in Washington. Along with Washington's new found QB play, Terry McLaurin is having his best season to date, and will likely finish with over 1,000 yards and double digit touchdowns. Brian Robinson, even though suffering through some minor injuries, has had a solid season and has been a large contributor to the Commanders rushing success. Washington should be fresh coming off their bye week, and will need a strong end of season push to hold off the teams behind them and make the playoffs.

    The NFL Playoffs are wide open and far from over, but these teams currently hold the current spots. The NFC is super competitive this year and it looks like teams will have to have 10 wins to make it, which has not been the case in the past. The only exception to this will likely be the winner of the NFC South, but the winner of the division will still be able to cause problems to anyone they end up hosting in the postseason.

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