NFC playoff picture, Week 15: Packers try to stay atop

With less than a month remaining in the regular season, the NFC playoff picture is still incredibly crowded across the spectrum.

As we approach the final four weeks of the NFL regular season, here’s how the NFC playoff picture looks:

1. Green Bay Packers (10-3)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)
3. Arizona Cardinals (10-3)
4. Dallas Cowboys (9-4)
5. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
6. San Francisco 49ers (7-6)
7. Washington Football Team (6-7)
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8. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
11. New Orleans Saints (6-7)

We’re settling in for the home stretch, and we still know almost nothing about which teams will end up where in the picture.

Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Arizona are all tied atop the NFC at 10-3, and each should win big this weekend.

The Packers were going to be in for a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, but with Lamar Jackson likely to be inactive this weekend, it’s hard to see Aaron Rodgers losing to Tyler Huntley. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers get a chance to split the season series with the Saints. On Sunday night, Tom Brady tries to get Tampa’s 11th win of the year against an overmatched opponent. Finally, the Cardinals are on the road against the one-win Detroit Lions. If they lose that game, sound every alarm bell in the continental United States.

As for the Cowboys, they’re facing the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, with Dak Prescott trying to get right after a tough few weeks. Dallas is hoping to clinch the NFC East over the next few weeks, and handling the Giants will be another stepping stone.

In Los Angeles, COVID has taken hold and so the Rams are hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday night instead of Sunday afternoon.

Out in San Francisco, an important game is being played between the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons. While the Falcons have been incredibly underwhelming for much of the season, Atlanta is 6-7 and tied for the final wild card spot in the NFC. Beating the Niners would give Matt Ryan and Co. both a huge win and a major tiebreaker as Atlanta tries to find a way into the postseason.

Finally, Washington and Philadelphia also play on Tuesday night after COVID ravaged the Football Team this week. The Eagles will be hosting Washington in a huge NFC East clash, with the loser all but finished off while the winner jumps to 7-7.