NFC playoff picture: 49ers, Cowboys, Eagles all clinch during Week 15
As the NFL season reaches the stretch run, all of the attention shifts to which teams still in the playoff picture, which will fluctuate week to week.
Here's where the NFC playoff picture stands during Week 15:
y – 1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3), NFC West leaders: They became the first team to clinch a berth in Week 14 and, on Sunday, the first to wrap up a division in 2023. And, with wins in hand against the Eagles and Cowboys, the Niners continue to march toward home-field advantage ... but will get a stern test from Baltimore in Week 16. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Commanders, vs. Rams
x – 2. Dallas Cowboys (10-4), NFC East leaders: A combination of losses by other teams secured a playoff spot for "America's Team" prior to kickoff Sunday ... and then the Cowboys went out and played like they had nothing at stake in an embarrassing defeat. But Seattle's defeat of Philadelphia on Monday night and a better division record (for now) puts Dallas back into first place. Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Commanders
3. Detroit Lions (10-4), NFC North leaders: Big get-right Saturday, the Lions pummeling Denver 42-17 a few hours after Minnesota lost in Cincinnati. A win on Christmas Eve will secure the Lions' first-ever NFC North title. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, at Cowboys, vs. Vikings
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4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7), NFC South leaders: A huge win at Green Bay coupled with an Atlanta loss – plus New Orleans' defeat Thursday night – served the Bucs well. Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, vs. Saints, at Panthers
x – 5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4), wild card No. 1: They clinched a spot courtesy of the Niners' win. Then they gave first place back to the Cowboys by losing Monday. These teams will go deep into the tiebreakers if both win out, but Philly still controls the road to the division crown. Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Cardinals, at Giants
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-7), wild card No. 2: Thursday night's defeat of the Saints elevates LA to the sixth spot. Win out, and they'll snatch a spot. Remaining schedule: at Giants, at 49ers
7. Minnesota Vikings (7-7), wild card No. 3: Their 6-3 record in conference games maintains this precarious perch. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, vs. Packers, at Lions
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7), out of playoff field: Big as Monday's come-from-behind defeat of Philly is, it only gained the 'Hawks one spot. Dropping both games to the Rams will be a lingering issue, but a 6-5 conference mark pushes Seattle ahead of New Orleans. Remaining schedule: at Titans, vs. Steelers, at Cardinals
9. New Orleans Saints (7-8), out of playoff field: Lost control of their postseason path with Thursday night's loss to Rams. Gotta have upcoming game at Tampa. Remaining schedule: at Buccaneers, vs. Falcons
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-8), out of playoff field: They've gone from fourth in the conference to here in a matter of two weeks, Sunday's loss at Carolina a potential backbreaker. Only a slim Week 2 defeat of the Pack leaves them this high. Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, at Bears, at Saints
11. Green Bay Packers (6-8), out of playoff field: After beating the Lions and Chiefs, they've lost to the Giants and Bucs. So much for benefiting from what was mathematically the league's easiest five-game schedule down the stretch. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at Vikings, vs. Bears
x – clinched playoff berth y – clinched division title
USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis contributed to this report.
