Updated NFC Playoff Picture, NFC Wild Card standings after Packers, Falcons lose

Let’s check the pulse on the NFC Playoff Picture and NFC Wild Card standings after all the chaos that happened in Week 9. 

Oh, how the mighty have fallen in the NFC.

When we look at the NFL Playoff Picture this time of year, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are usually in the driver’s seat. But as we begin November, the Packers are 3-6 and very much on the outside of the playoff bubble looking in.

Not only that, but Green Bay needs pretty significant help to get back into the picture and it’s looking more and more like the Wild Card is their only path to the postseason. The Minnesota Vikings are running away with the NFC North and further distanced themselves after winning in Washington.

With the Bears also losing on Sunday, the Vikings have a full four-game lead in the division.

Philadelphia won on Thursday night and remains in control of the No 1 seed, and the Giants, 49ers, and Cowboys are all on a bye week which means they won’t fall much further behind than a half-game.

Updated NFC Playoff Picture after Falcons and Packers lose in Week 9

Perhaps the biggest potential movement in the NFC is in the South. With the Atlanta Falcons losing, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can reclaim first place with a win over the Los Angeles Rams late Sunday afternoon.

It’s not a pretty sight, however, if you take one look at the records.

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

1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-0)
2. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)
3. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
6. New York Giants (6-2)
7. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

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

• (2) Minnesota Vikings vs. (7) San Francisco 49ers
• (3) Seattle Seahawks vs. (6) New York Giants
• (4) Atlanta Falcons 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 8

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 8:

1. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
2. New York Giants (6-2)
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-3)
4. Washington Commanders (4-5)
5. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (3-6)
8. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
9. New Orleans Saints (3-5)
10. Chicago Bears (3-6)
11. Detroit Lions (2-6)
12. Carolina Panthers (2-7)