FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Start your engines, the playoff race begins. The Falcons, who sit at the top of the NFC South, are firmly in the push.
Atlanta is a game up on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hold a crucial tiebreaker after winning the season series. The Falcons have a handful of NFC opponents remaining, including one more divisional matchup, before they'll wrap up the regular season in January. Up first, another tough AFC opponent in the Los Angeles Chargers.
A lot can change within the conference and around the league as the season ticks down, and each game from here on out will be crucial. Here's where things stand in the NFC as of Wednesday, Nov. 27:
NFC playoff teams
- Detroit Lions (10-1)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
- Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
- Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3)
- Washington Commanders (7-5)
In the Hunt
- Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Potential first-round matchups
- No. 1 Detroit Lions (10-1) — bye
- No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (9-2) vs. No. 4 Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
- No. 7 Washington Commanders (7-5) vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
- No. 6 Green Bay Packers (8-3) vs. No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Divisional standings
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
3. New Orleans Saints (4-7)
4. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
Falcons' remaining schedule – Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), Minnesota Vikings (9-2), Las Vegas Raiders (2-8), New York Giants (2-9), Washington Commanders (7-5), Carolina Panthers (3-8)
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
2. Washington Commanders (7-5)
3. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)
4. New York Giants (2-9)
Eagles' remaining schedule — Baltimore Ravens (8-4), Carolina Panthers (3-8), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3), Washington Commanders (7-5), Dallas Cowboys (4-7) New York Giants (2-9)
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
2. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
3. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
4. Chicago Bears (4-7)
Lions' remaining schedule — Chicago Bears (4-7), Green Bay Packers (8-3), Buffalo Bills (9-2), Chicago Bears (4-7), San Francisco 49ers (5-6), Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
2. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
3. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
4. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Seahawks' remaining schedule — New York Jets Arizona Cardinals (6-5), Green Bay Packers (8-3), Minnesota Vikings (9-2), Chicago Bears (4-7), Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
