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Updated NFC Playoff Picture, NFC Wild Card standings after Bucs, Seahawks lose

By Josh Hill

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 11: Marquis Haynes Sr. #98 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the game at Lumen Field on December 11, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 11: Marquis Haynes Sr. #98 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the game at Lumen Field on December 11, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) /

Updated NFC Playoff Picture after Buccaneers and Seahawks lose in Week 14

While there was chaos and disorder all over the NFC, that didn’t stop Philadelphia and San Francisco from having fantastic afternoons.

Philadelphia became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth, punching its ticket after punching out the Giants. The loss dropped New York out of the playoff picture but it was a brief hiatus. Seattle’s loss to Carolina opened a spot back up and the Giants slid back into the bracket with a huge matchup against the Washington Commanders next Sunday.

Speaking of Washington, the Commanders had a bye this week but moved up in the playoff picture regardless. With Seattle’s loss, Washington moved up to the No. 6 seed and now firmly controls its own destiny, especially with that aforementioned showdown with the Giants on the horizon.

Aside from Philly, the best week had by an NFC team was out in San Francisco and it wasn’t with the team that has Tom Brady on its roster. The 49ers not only destroyed the Buccaneers but essentially tripled its win with help from the Lions and Panthers.

Minnesota and Seattle both lost, which means the 49ers now hold a two-game lead over the Seahawks in the NFC West and are a single game behind the Vikings for the No. 2 seed.

Here’s a look at what the NFC Playoff picture would look like if the postseason started today:

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) – Clinched Playoff Berth
  2. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
  3. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
  5. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
  6. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
  7. New York Giants (7-5-1)

Based on those standings, here’s what the playoff matchups would look like for the first weekend of action:

  • (2) Minnesota Vikings vs. (7) New York Giants
  • (3) San Francisco 49ers vs. (6) Washington Commanders
  • (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. (5) Dallas Cowboys

Each higher-seeded team would host its Wild Card Weekend matchup. The Philadelphia Eagles would have a first-round bye with the No. 1 seed and host any playoff game they play in.

NFC Wild Card standings after Week 14 (Updated after late games)

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 10:

  1. Dallas Cowboys (9-4) – Playoff Spot
  2. Washington Commanders (7-5-1) – Playoff Spot
  3. New York Giants (7-5-1) – Playoff Spot

On The Bubble

Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
Detroit Lions (6-7)

Still In the Hunt

Green Bay Packers (5-8)
Carolina Panthers (5-8)
Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
Arizona Cardinals (4-8)

On Life Support

New Orleans Saints (4-9)
Los Angeles Rams (4-9)

Eliminated

Chicago Bears (3-10) – Eliminated 

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