NFC Playoff Picture: How Saints, Packers and Seahawks can clinch No. 1 seed

Things are going to be fun to watch down the stretch in the NFC. 

Jalen Hurts was supposed to be an upgrade over Carson Wentz. That didn’t mean he was supposed to upset the NFC playoff picture, right?

Hurts took on one of the league’s best defense’s, throwing for 167 yards and a touchdown to help the Eagles grab a 24-21 victory. There was life in Philadelphia’s offense for the first time all season, with players looking as if fun football returned.

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The storyline though is on the New Orleans Saints, who entering the day was the sole leader of the No.1 seed. While they clicked their playoff spot last weekend, a loss now puts their front-runner status in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, thanks to 31-24 victory in the Motor City, the Green Bay Packers now have clinched the NFC North at 10-3.

New Orleans now is in a tie with the Packers for first place. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are right up the rear can could be in line to win out. This big lead from the boys from the Big Easy is getting tighter, making the NFC playoff picture one to watch for entering the closing weeks of December.

What could be the storyline to watch moving ahead for the NFC?

Seattle’s 40-3 victory over the New York Jets now puts them at 9-4. The difference between them and the Los Angeles Rams is the tiebreaker held from earlier this season. However, Seattle could have payback coming their way when they face Jared Goff and the offense again in Week 16.

Let’s not rule the Rams out just yet from winning the NFC West. Despite likely out of the running for the top seed, a 171-yard outing from rookie Cam Akers and quality defensive performance gave Sean McVay’s team a 24-3 victory against New England. The way the secondary has played, plus quality offensive outings, they could make a run for their own playoff success.

The Arizona Cardinals remains alive as the No.7 seed thanks to a win against the Giants. Kyler Murray dazzled, throwing for 244 yards and a touchdown. However, the real hero was Haason Reddick, who tallied five total sacks in Daniel Jones’ first game back.

Speaking of Jones and the Giants, does anyone was to take a commanding lead in the NFC (L)East?  Washington took sole lead in victory over the 49ers, but they could be in trouble without Alex Smith. Meanwhile, now that the Eagles and Cowboys won, they move a game behind New York in the race for second place.

Also, one can’t technically rule out the Bears or Vikings yet either since both have to play each other next week to eliminate one party.

Anything could change in the coming weeks, but the excitement only grows. This could be one of the wildest finishes in recent memory for a postseason the NFL world has had in a while.