Alex Slitz/Getty Images
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)
4. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
5. Minnesota Vikings (7-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
7. Washington Commanders (7-4)
8. San Francisco 49ers (5-4)
10. Seattle Seahawks (4-5)
11. Los Angeles Rams (4-5)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)
14. New Orleans Saints (3-7)
15. Carolina Panthers (3-7)
16. New York Giants (2-8)
Italics: Currently in wild card playoff position.
The Commanders came into Thursday’s matchup hoping to prove they can contend with the top teams in the NFC. They played a tight game against the Eagles for most of the night, but Philadelphia outscored the Commanders 20-8 in the fourth quarter to pick up a convincing win.
As it stands right now, Philadelphia and Washington could meet again in the playoffs. While Thursday’s meeting was a bit one-sided, Jayden Daniels has the rest of the season to continue developing and perhaps give the Eagles a tough wild-card game in January.
Philadelphia has won six straight games now and is building momentum at the perfect time. The Eagles will have matchups with the Rams and Ravens in the coming weeks as they look to keep picking up wins.
The NFC is the Lions’ to lose as they head into Week 11 at 8-1 with what should be a relatively easy matchup with the Jaguars on deck this Sunday. Detroit’s toughest matchups come later this season as it will face the Packers, Bills, 49ers and Vikings in the final month of the season, but for now, it’s in solid position to claim the top seed in the conference.
The Cardinals are sitting comfortably at the top of the NFC West and will be idle this week before a division matchup against the Seahawks next week.
As for Seattle, it has now lost five of its last six games after a 3-0 start. The Seahawks have a tough matchup this week against the 49ers that comes with plenty of implications as those two teams continue battling for a playoff spot.
Things are looking up with the 49ers amid back-to-back wins and the return of star running back Christian McCaffrey, and they could easily get right back in the playoff mix over the next few weeks.
After the Vikings’ 5-0 start, they dropped back-to-back games against the Lions and Rams but have now won two straight. They should make it three in a row against the Titans this week as they look to hold their current position in the standings.
The Packers, who currently hold the final wild-card slot, are hoping to take down their rival Bears this weekend. Green Bay couldn’t top the Lions last week, but still looks like a team ready as ever to compete in the playoffs.
While the Bears are still in the playoff mix, three consecutive losses and a tough schedule in the coming weeks make their postseason hopes seem a bit far-fetched. They’re remaining schedule consists of two games against the Vikings, two games against the Packers, two games against the Lions and matchups with the 49ers and Seahawks. Getting even one win in that stretch would be a challenge.
The Rams seemed ready to make a playoff push after winning three straight, but a loss to the struggling Dolphins last week isn’t a good indicator that they can put together a postseason run.
Read the full article here