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NFC Playoff Picture Tightens Entering Week 14 With North Lead at Stake in BearsPackers

With nine teams stacked near the top, several clubs face elimination scenarios as bye-week contenders track results that could swing seeding.

Overview

  • No NFC team can clinch a playoff berth in Week 14, reflecting an unusually compressed field at the top of the conference.
  • The Bears (9-3) visit the Packers (8-3-1) at 4:25 p.m. ET in a matchup that will determine the NFC North leader for now.
  • Detroit’s 44-30 win over Dallas on Thursday boosted the Lions’ outlook, leaving them to monitor key results as they prepare for the Rams next week.
  • San Francisco (9-4) and Carolina (7-6) are on bye, with team guides outlining outcomes that help their positioning; a Cardinals win over the Rams and a Falcons win over the Seahawks could vault the 49ers into the NFC West lead and the No. 2 seed.
  • Philadelphia (8-4) plays the Chargers on Monday night with a division magic number of three that would drop to two with a win, while Washington and Minnesota each face elimination scenarios depending on Sunday’s result and the Eagles’ outcome.