FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The playoff push continues with just five weeks left in the regular season.
The Falcons still hold a narrow lead in the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the same 6-6 record as Atlanta, but the Falcons have the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series. In Week 14, Atlanta will face quarterback Kirk Cousins' former team when it travels to take on the Minnesota Vikings (10-2). Meanwhile, the Bucs take on the struggling Las Vegas Raiders (2-10).
There's still time for the playoff picture to change, and every game down the stretch — especially for the Falcons — will be crucial.
Here's where things stand in the NFC as of Wednesday, Dec. 4:
NFC playoff teams
(11-1)
1
Detroit Lions
NFC North leader
(10-2)
2
Philadelphia Eagles
NFC East leader
(7-5)
3
Seattle Seahawks
NFC West leader
(6-6)
4
Atlanta Falcons
NFC South leader
(10-2)
5
Minnesota Vikings
Wild Card No. 1
(9-3)
6
Green Bay Packers
Wild Card No. 2
(8-5)
7
Washington Commanders
Wild Card No. 3
In the hunt (probability via NFL.com)
(6-6)
1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Playoff Probability: 57%
(6-6)
2
Arizona Cardinals
NFL Playoff Probability: 39%
(6-6)
3
Los Angeles Rams
NFL Playoff Probability: 20%
Potential first-round matchups
- No. 1 Detroit Lions (11-1) — bye
- No. 7 Washington Commanders (8-5) vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
- No. 6 Green Bay Packers (9-3) vs. No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
- No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (10-2) vs. No. 4 Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Divisional standings
NFC South
(6-6)
1
Atlanta Falcons
Remaining schedule: Minnesota Vikings (10-2), Las Vegas Raiders (2-10), New York Giants (2-10), Washington Commanders (8-5), Carolina Panthers (3-9)
(6-6)
2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Remaining schedule: Las Vegas Raiders (2-10), Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), Dallas Cowboys (5-7), Carolina Panthers (3-9), New Orleans Saints (4-8)
(4-8)
3
New Orleans Saints
NFL Playoff Probability: 1%
(3-9)
4
Carolina Panthers
NFL Playoff Probability: <1%
NFC North
(11-1)
1
Detroit Lions
Remaining schedule: Green Bay Packers (9-3), Buffalo Bills (10-2), Chicago Bears (4-8), San Francisco 49ers (5-7), Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
(10-2)
2
Minnesota Vikings
Remaining schedule: Atlanta Falcons (6-6), Chicago Bears (4-8), Seattle Seahawks (7-5), Green Bay Packers (9-3), Detriot Lions (11-1)
(9-3)
3
Green Bay Packers
Remaining schedule: Detriot Lions (11-1), Seattle Seahawks (7-5), New Orleans Saints (4-8), Minnesota Vikings (10-2), Chicago Bears (4-8)
(4-8)
4
Chicago Bears
NFL Playoff Probability: <1%
NFC East
(10-2)
1
Philadelphia Eagles
Remaining schedule: Carolina Panthers (3-9), Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3), Washington Commanders (8-5), Dallas Cowboys (5-7) New York Giants (2-10)
(8-5)
2
Washington Commanders
Remaining schedule: Bye week, New Orleans Saints (4-8), Philadelphia Eagles (10-2), Atlanta Falcons (6-6), Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
(5-7)
3
Dallas Cowboys
NFL Playoff Probability: 4%
(2-10)
4
New York Giants
Eliminated from playoff contention
NFC West
(7-5)
1
Seattle Seahawks
Remaining schedule: Arizona Cardinals (6-6), Green Bay Packers (9-3), Minnesota Vikings (10-2), Chicago Bears (4-8), Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
(6-6)
2
Arizona Cardinals
Remaining schedule: Seattle Seahawks (7-5), New England Patriots (3-10), Carolina Panthers (3-9), Los Angeles Rams (6-6), San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
(6-6)
3
Los Angeles Rams
Remaining schedule: Buffalo Bills (10-2), San Francisco 49ers (5-7), New York Jets (3-9), Arizona Cardinals (6-6), Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
(5-7)
4
San Francisco 49ers
NFL Playoff Probability: 8%
