The Eagles (9-1) are back to business after a massive win over the Chiefs, and with the rent still needing to be paid, the team has started early preparation for a matchup against the Bills that will help shape the NFC playoff picture.
If the postseason started this weekend, Philadelphia would still have the week off as the overall No. 1 seed in the NFC and the team with the best record in the NFL.
The NFC Playoff Picture 🍿 pic.twitter.com/F4i6nN1P9C
— PFF (@PFF) November 21, 2023
The NFC East, NFC West, and NFC North currently have two teams, while the New Orleans Saints represent the NFC South.
With the Thanksgiving Day slate of games fast approaching, here’s an updated NFC playoff picture ahead of the Week 12 action.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1), 1st in NFC East
The Eagles overcame a 17-7 Chiefs lead at the half and held Kansas City scoreless in the second half, as the Birds moved to 9-1 on the season.
Sean Desai’s defense gave up 336 total yards but held Kansas City to 8-17 on third downs and 2-4 in the red zone, with the Chiefs going three straight trips without points.
Jalen Hurts ran for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score on a Brotherly Shove late in the fourth quarter, to remain the NFL’s best team entering Week 12.
If the postseason started this weekend, Philadelphia would still have the week off as the overall No. 1 seed in the NFC and the team with the best record in the NFL.
2. Detroit Lions (8-2), 1st in NFC North
The Lions rallied from a 12-point deficit late in the fourth quarter, and overcame Jared Goff’s three interceptions to beat the Bears 31-26.
Detroit has its best overall record through 10 games since 1962, and are quickly approaching the magic number to clinch its first division title in three decades.
3. San Francisco 49ers (7-3), 1st NFC West
Looking to regain his mojo, Brock Purdy threw a 76-yard dime to Brandon Aiyuk for one of his three touchdown passes, and the 49ers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-14 on Sunday.
Over his past two games, Purdy has ompleted 78.4% of his passes for 629 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.
On Sunday Purdy was 21 for 25 for 333 yards to join Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in 49ers franchise history to post a perfect passer rating in a game with at least 15 attempts.
4. New Orleans Saints (5-5), 1st NFC South
The Saints were winners last week, getting a much needed bye, along with maintaining their edge in the NFC South.
5. Dallas Cowboys (7-3), 2nd NFC East
Dak Prescott threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns, and DaRon Bland tied an NFL record with his fourth pick-6 of the season as Dallas crushed the Carolina Panthers 33-10 Sunday for their fourth win in the last five games.
Bland made a diving interception of Bryce Young near the sideline early in the fourth quarter, and raced 30 yards for a touchdown to give the Cowboys a 30-10 lead. Bland tied an NFL record shared by Philadelphia’s Eric Allen (1993), Kansas City’s Jim Kearney (1972) and Houston’s Ken Houston (1971).
6. Seattle Seahawks (6-4), 2nd NFC West
The Ramsm Lucas Havrisik made a 22-yard field goal 1:31 to play, and the Seahawks Jason Myers missed a 55-yard attempt with 3 seconds left in Los Angeles’ 17-16 victory over Seattle on Sunday.
Seattle held a 16-7 lead Seattle before quarterback Geno Smith was sidelined by a hit late in the third quarter from Aaron Donald, whose left arm made hard contact with Smith’s throwing arm.
The Seahawks still have a two game hold on the final NFC playoff spot.
7. Minnesota Vikings (6-5), 2nd NFC North
Minnesota was on a five-game winning streak entering Sunday night and set to get wide receiver Justin Jefferson back in the lineup, but blew a late fourth-quarter lead in a 21-20 loss to Denver.
Josh Dobbs was 20-32 passing for 221 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Dobbs also had eight carries for 21 yards and one rushing touchdown. Even with the loss, Minnesota will remain in the 7th and final playoff spot entering Week 12.
