NFC Playoff Picture: Seattle Seahawks control the wild card race

The Seattle Seahawks’ win in Week 14 put pressure on the Los Angeles Rams and put Seattle atop the NFC for a brief moment, and while it looked for a minute that the Rams would lose and Seattle would take over the one seed for longer, it did not last. The Rams went on a 35-0 run against the Cardinals and the Seahawks’ run as the one seed was only a couple hours long.

So the Rams remain in first place in the NFC, but after that, a major change happened when the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears. Green Bay moves into second place while the Bears drop out of the division lead into the wild card.

With Chicago’s loss, both the Rams and Seahawks control their own destiny to the one seed in the NFC.

The Philadelphia Eagles play on Monday night and will stay third and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stayed fourth despite losing.

Seattle tops the wild card and the San Fransisco 49ers stayed right behind them on their bye. The Chicago Bears fell from the top of the NFC all the way to seventh and barely in with their loss.

On the outside looking in is the Detroit Lions, despite winning on Thursday. The Carolina Panthers are a game behind the Lions.

NFC standings during Week 14

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3, win over SEA)
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3, loss to LAR)
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4, 8-2 NFC)
7. Chicago Bears (9-4, 6-3 NFC)
8. Detroit Lions (8-5)
9. Carolina Panthers (7-6)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
12. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
13. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
14. New Orleans Saints (3-10)
15. Washington Commanders (3-10)
16. e-New York Giants (2-11)

The New York Giants were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 12.

NFC West standings after Week 14

The Rams remain in the top spot thanks to their win over the Seahawks. The two teams play again on December 18th in a huge game. Seattle is second for now. The San Fransisco 49ers were on the bye trying to get healthier. The Arizona Cardinals had a valiant effort but lost to the Rams.

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3, win over SEA)
2**. Seattle Seahawks (10-3, loss to LAR**)
3. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
4. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)