Updated NFC playoff standings: Detroit Lions in tight race atop conference

The top of the NFC has some of the best teams in football. Here’s an updated look at the NFL playoff race.

The Detroit Lions may be on a nine-game winning streak, but they just can’t seem to produce any cushion both atop the division and the conference. Of course, if the Lions just keep winning, what everyone else does for the rest of the regular season is irrelevant. But as we get deeper into the season, it’s become apparent that there are some serious players atop the NFC. It’s going to be a thrilling finish in the final six weeks of the regular season.

Let’s take a closer look with our Week 13 NFC playoff picture .

NFC North standings:

1. Lions: 10-1
2. Vikings: 9-2
3. Packers : 8-3
4. Bears: 4-7

While the Lions were comfortably winning, it was the Vikings’ turn to narrowly escape a loss at the hands of the Bears. Minnesota hasn’t played particularly inspiring football as of late, as explained perfectly by friend of the PODcast Arif Hasan.

Here’s what the Vikings have done in the last six weeks:

• 2-point loss to Lions
• 10-point loss to Rams
• 8-point win over Colts
• 5-point win over Jaguars
• 10-point win over Titans
• 3-point (OT) win over Bears

The six remaining games on their schedule feature five teams still very much in the thick of the playoff race (Cardinals, Falcons, Seahawks , Packers, and Lions), so we’ll see if this all holds up.

The Packers took care of business against a beat-up 49ers team. Like the Lions, they have back-to-back Thursday games coming up, with the surging Dolphins on Thanksgiving and the NFC showdown vs. the Lions on the following Thursday night.

Also, lol Bears.

NFC playoff standings:

Division leaders:

1. Lions: 10-1
2. Eagles: 9-2
3. Seahawks: 6-5
4. Falcons: 6-5

The NFC top seed is now essentially between the Eagles and three NFC North teams.

Meanwhile, no one had a better Week 12 than the Seahawks. Not only did they pick up a big win against the Cardinals, but the 49ers and Rams both lost, giving Seattle the lead back in the West. No other team appears to be trending in the right direction.

Wild Card spots:

5. Vikings: 9-2
6. Packers: 8-3
7. Commanders: 7-5

The Commanders have lost three straight and are just barely clinging onto a playoff spot now. Their fall has given new hope to some of the flailing NFC teams. The problem is…

In the hunt:

8. Cardinals: 6-5
t-9. Buccaneers : 5-6
t-9. Rams: 5-6
t-9. 49ers : 5-6
12. Saints: 4-7
13. Bears: 4-7

… none of these teams short of the Buccaneers are playing very inspired football right now. And even with Tampa, not sure how much we can take from a shellacking of the Giants. If any of these teams are going to make a run at the playoffs, they’re going to need to play near-perfect football in the final six weeks.

Mock draftin’

14. Cowboys: 4-7
15. Panthers: 3-8
16. Giants: 2-9

I don’t care if the Cowboys won and have the same record as some “In the hunt” teams. They are not contenders. They’re just hurting their own draft stock at this point.