Here's how the playoff picture looks in the NFC after Week 14, including the remaining schedules for the top contenders:
1. Los Angeles Rams (10–3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals
The Rams responded emphatically to their Week 13 upset loss, dismantling the Cardinals 45–17 behind a sharp performance from Matthew Stafford, who tossed three touchdowns. The win vaulted Los Angeles back into the NFC’s top seed, but the challenge now becomes holding that position. Upcoming matchups against the Lions and Seahawks will be pivotal, offering the clearest indication of whether the Rams can maintain their grip on the conference lead.
2. Green Bay Packers (9–3–1)
Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings
Green Bay reclaimed control of the NFC North with a home win over Chicago, powered by timely offense and tough running from Josh Jacobs. But the division remains far from settled. A difficult road test in Denver could tighten things again, especially with another meeting against the Bears looming in Week 16. Despite their current positioning, the Packers still face a challenging stretch that will determine the North’s final shape.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8–5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders
Despite dropping their third straight game Monday night, the Eagles remain in good position thanks to the Cowboys’ setback earlier in the week. With Dallas falling to 6–6–1, Philadelphia maintains control of the NFC East and benefits from a favorable remaining schedule. If the Eagles stabilize offensively and take care of business over the next two weeks, they can reestablish momentum heading into the season’s final push.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7–6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers
The Buccaneers’ loss at home to the Saints was one of Week 14’s biggest surprises and tightened the NFC South race considerably. Tampa Bay is now tied with Carolina for the division lead, holding only a slight edge for the moment. With both matchups against the Panthers still ahead, the Bucs’ postseason fate will likely hinge on how they handle their upcoming head-to-head opportunities in a division that remains completely up for grabs.
5. Seattle Seahawks (10–3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers
Seattle sits in a strong position as one of only two NFC teams with double-digit wins, but the issue is that the other is the division rival Rams—who currently hold the tiebreaker. The Seahawks still have a chance to flip the NFC West race when they host Los Angeles later this month. In the meantime, they benefit from catching an injury-depleted Colts team in Week 15 and remain firmly entrenched as a top wild-card contender if they can’t close the gap in the division.
6. San Francisco 49ers (9–4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks
Coming off their Week 14 bye, the 49ers enter a favorable stretch that begins with a struggling Titans squad and a Colts team missing Daniel Jones. Those matchups provide a strong runway toward locking up a playoff spot, but San Francisco’s aspirations extend beyond the wild card. With a superior division record compared to the Rams and a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over Seattle, the Niners still have a legitimate path to the NFC West title—and perhaps even the No. 1 seed—if they can stack wins late.
7. Chicago Bears (9–4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions
Chicago’s fall from the NFC’s top seed to the seventh spot in just one week underscores how tight the conference race has become. The Bears’ loss to Green Bay dropped them down the board, but the season is far from lost. A rebound win over the Browns paired with a Packers stumble in Denver could set the stage for a massive Week 16 rematch with Green Bay. However, with the 49ers and Lions still on the schedule, the Bears must avoid further slip-ups to stay above the playoff cutoff.
In the Hunt:
Detroit Lions (8–5)
Detroit’s win over the Cowboys moved them to the No. 8 seed and kept their playoff hopes alive. Their explosive offense makes them a dangerous outsider, but a tough trip to Los Angeles next week will test whether they’re ready to push back into the NFC picture.
Carolina Panthers (7–6)
Carolina remains firmly in the mix, tied with Tampa Bay atop the NFC South and holding both matchups with the Buccaneers still ahead. Despite sitting ninth in the standings, the Panthers arguably control their destiny more than any other team outside the current playoff field.
Dallas Cowboys (6–6–1)
The Cowboys’ loss to Detroit delivered a serious blow to their playoff chances. They now likely need to win out and receive considerable help to sneak into the postseason, either through the NFC East or a competitive wild-card race that offers little margin for error.
