Cele două interceptări ale lui Kyler Murray în prima repriză le-au permis celor de la Seahawks să preia controlul jocului de duminică. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagini Imag
Quarterbackul Arizona Kyler Murray nu a fost cel mai bun în confruntarea de duminică a NFC West dintre Cardinals și Seahawks.
Zach Charbonnet era. Runnerul din al doilea an de la Seahawks a înregistrat 193 de yarzi și două touchdown-uri din joc în cel mai bun joc al carierei sale. Murray, între timp, a aruncat două interceptări pe care Seattle le-a transformat în touchdowns într-o victorie de 30-18 a Seahawks.
Victoria a extins avantajul lui Seattle într-o cursă strânsă NFC West, cu un record de 8-5. Cardinalii au căzut cu 6-7 și au ratat o ocazie de a-i egala pe Seahawks în vârful diviziei.
Jucând acasă, Cardinals au săpat un deficit de 17-7 în primul sfert din care nu s-au mai putut recupera. Interceptările lui Murray la al doilea și al treilea drive ale lui Arizona le-au permis celor de la Seahawks să-și construiască avantajul timpuriu.
Prima interceptare a lui Murray a venit cu Cardinals ținând un avantaj de 7-3. O penalizare de ținere la a doua piesă a lui Arizona i-a împins pe Cardinals în secunda și 19-a. Murray a trimis o pasă într-o zonă aglomerată de la Seahawks pe care fundașul de colț Ernest Jones a interceptat-o și a revenit la linia de 19 iarzi din Arizona.
Un joc mai târziu, Geno Smith l-a găsit pe Jaxon Smith-Njigba pentru un touchdown de 19 iarzi pentru a-l pune pe Seattle în avantaj, 10-7.
A doua interceptare a lui Murray a venit la următoarea piesă a lui Arizona de la scrimmage. La fel ca primul său, i-a pus pe Seahawks pe teritoriul Cardinals. Pe aceasta, Murray a aruncat o pasă adâncă pe marginea stângă destinată lui Zay Jones. În schimb, siguranța Coby Bryant a luat-o.
Seahawks au încasat cinci jocuri mai târziu, cu o cursă de touchdown Charbonnet de o yardă, prima sa din zi.
Charbonnet și-a adăugat al doilea scor la o rundă de 51 de metri, în al doilea sfert, care a extins avantajul lui Seattle la 24-10.
Cardinalii s-au stabilit pentru a-i împiedica pe Seahawks să fugă cu jocul. Dar deficitul de 14 puncte s-a dovedit în cele din urmă prea mult pentru a depăși un Seattle a încheiat măturarea sezonului din Arizona.
Cardinalii au avut șansa de a reduce deficitul la o posesie la jumătatea celui de-al patrulea sfert. Însă încercarea lui Chad Ryland la 40 de metri de gol de teren a lovit stânga verticală, scuturând cele mai bune speranțe ale Arizona de a reveni.
Charbonnet a terminat cu 134 de yarzi de urgență și 59 de yarzi de primire la șapte capturi. Efortul de alergare de 100 de metri a fost primul din cariera lui, deoarece a preluat rolul principal pentru un Kenneth Walker (vițel) accidentat.
Murray a completat 25 din 38 de pase pentru 259 de metri cu două touchdown-uri și două interceptări care, în cele din urmă, i-au pus pe Cardinals într-o gaură prea mare. Cardinalii au nevoie acum de un finisaj puternic și de câteva pauze pentru a ajunge în imaginea playoff-ului.
It’s wild out west in the NFC. The Seahawks, Cardinals, Rams are all vying to usurp the back-to-back division champion (and preseason conference favorite) 49ers who are currently reeling as they send even more players to the injured reserve.
In this week’s playbook, I took a gander at the four teams in the NFC West, their current odds to win the division, what they’re doing to give them a chance, and what lingering question(s) I still have as they make the final push over the last month of the season.
Let the battle royale out west begin!
DVOA data via FTNFantasy
All other data via TruMedia unless otherwise noted
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Seattle Seahawks
Current odds to win the division (via BetMGM): +150
What’s up with the Seahawks lately?
After stumbling into their bye week at 4-5, the Seahawks ripped off three straight wins and now sit here in Week 14 leading the division. Their offense, which has constantly been hampered by inconsistent and outright poor play along the offensive line, has started to build cohesion since Seattle’s bye. Center Connor Williams retired and has since been replaced by second-year player Olu Oluwatimi. Right tackle Abe Lucas returned from injury in Week 11 and finally slowed down the perpetual bleeding that had been happening on a majority of plays in his absence. The pressure rate allowed by Seahawks right tackles was 15.8% from Weeks 1-9, the highest in the NFL, but has dropped to 8.2% since Week 10, slightly better than the league average of 9.2%, per NextGenStats. While right guard has been a revolving door for the Seahawks, with the Week 13 start going to sixth-round rookie Sataoa Laumea (over third-rounder Christian Haynes), the Seahawks building consistency and chemistry along their front has started to pay dividends now that they have started to get healthier and the real characters for the unit moved to the forefront.
Against the Jets in Week 13, after some early botches (both involving Laumea), the Seahawks’ front started to get real movement with their double-teams as they started leaning onto the duo run concept. Players were consistently going to their right assignments and running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III both did a great job of choosing the correct running lanes.
Blocking gets better as more players are able to put in time together. Variables like how long to hold a double-team or going to the exact right assignment get cleaner and improve as players (and coaches) are able to set and define their rules and timing.
It’s not all amazing for the Seahawks up front and on offense as they’re still a unit that ranks around league average, but a better run game, or at least one that defenses have to honor, gives a chance to get the ball to one of their talented backs and also makes life easier for QB Geno Smith and the passing game.
Smith is still as high-flying as ever with his play, automatically defaulting to the hard way like Marty McFly at the Pleasure Paradise Casino. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb adjusts well throughout games, but still has moments of frustration with situational play-calling (the Seahawks are terrified to run the ball in short yardage, making their offensive line improvements even more paramount). But there are fun splashes in this offense, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is starting to emerge in a more expanded role around the formation.
On defense, the Ernest Jones trade has helped solidify this defense from an inconsistent unit to a rapidly improving group that’s playing faster and faster in Mike Macdonald’s kaleidoscopic scheme. The Seahawks’ front (Leonard Williams has been one of the best defenders in football the past month) and backend (Devon Witherspoon is a dynamo and Julian Love has been unlocked in this defense) have talented players. But the poor play in the middle of the defense got exposed on a near-weekly basis, especially in the run game. Since Jones has arrived, the Seahawks have gone from a sieve on the ground to one of the better run defenses, and overall units, in the NFL. Without Jones, the Seahawks allowed a 41.9% rushing success rate, which would rank 27th among NFL defenses between the Falcons and Commanders. With Jones on the field, the Seahawks allowed a rushing success rate of 35.8%, tied for seventh-best with the Bills. Their EPA against the run makes a similar type jump and their overall EPA per play allowed goes from a number in the middle of the pack without Jones (-.04, 13th) to a top-five unit with Jones (-.08, tied-fifth).
This again matches what this defense looks and feels like when watching the Seahawks. Against the Cardinals in Week 12, the Seahawks allowed only two successful runs to the Cardinals RBs on 12 carries —significant considering the strength of the Cardinals’ ground attack.
Lingering question
Can the Seahawks continue to rely on their run game? From Weeks 1-9, the Seahawks ran the ball on only 29.9% of their first- and second-down plays, making for the second-highest early down pass rate in the NFL over that time. Their early down rushing success rate ranked 29th in the league. So, the Seahawks didn’t run the ball much and were bad at it when they did over the first two months of the season. Since Week 10, the Seahawks run the ball on 42.9% of their early down plays, which ranks 17th. Their rushing success rate has also bumped up to a more tolerable 35.7%, middle of the pack at 16th. Those are efficiency and usage bumps that match the eye test and something that will be imperative for them to make the playoffs and possibly win a game once they’re there.
The Seahawks have the seventh-hardest schedule remaining, in terms of DVOA. A huge game against the Cardinals this weekend that gives the winner pole position in the division the rest of the way is then followed up with games against the Packers, Vikings, Bears and Rams.
While the improvements with the Seahawks’ defense are real, with Jones and the players becoming more well-versed in Macdonald’s defense, the offensive line, while definitely improved, still causes me some hesitation unless there’s even more rapid improvement. Some of the details and execution, or lack thereof, still give me apprehension. There’s a chance that they continue to get better as the weeks go along, but until it’s more consistent than just a few series or halves against ailing teams, it’s hard to fully hang my hat on it.
Arizona Cardinals
Current odds to win the division (via BetMGM): +170
What’s up with the Cardinals lately?
To start, the Cardinals have one of the best offenses in the NFL. They rank fifth in offensive success rate, fourth in explosive play rate, 10th in EPA per play, and seventh in DVOA. They are a balanced offense in terms of play-calling (17th in early down passing rate) but are built through their expansive run game behind a well-coached offensive line, a bevy of tight ends, and talented runners in RBs James Conner and Trey Benson and a little dash of QB Kyler Murray’s legs that have ripped off more explosive runs than any other offense in the NFL.
Murray has been playing some of the best football of his career as a passer, too. The discipline that head coach Jonathan Gannon and the Cardinals coaches, including offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, have instilled on this team has carried over to the signal-caller. Murray has operated more from under center than he ever has in his career, college and high school included. Murray has 70 dropbacks from under center this season. He recorded 125 combined over his previous five NFL seasons. Of Murray’s 1,381 yards passing from under center in his career, 613 have come from just the 12 games this season. And Petzing pushing Murray out of his Air Raid background that he’s comfortable with has been rewarded as the season has gone along. Murray currently leads the NFL in QBR and has recorded the highest success rate on pass attempts of his entire career (his 51.5% success rate on pass attempts, so dropbacks excluding sacks and scrambles, ranks sixth in the NFL this season), while also ranking fourth in rushing yards by QBs this season.
Trey McBride is in lockstep with his QB and has ascended to, at the very least, being on the podium for “best tight end in the game.” McBride and Murray’s chemistry is palpable every time you watch the Cardinals’ offense, with McBride getting a steady diet of targets. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., to the chagrin of many fantasy owners, has been asked to run a more traditional outside-focused route tree before adding layers and branches across the formation as the season has gone along. While there have been some inconsistencies with Harrison at the catch point, his advanced route running and ability to win on a multitude of routes has been apparent. Michael Wilson is another strong outside receiver for Murray to target and makes the most of his touches every week.
The Cardinals love using McBride and their other tight ends in the run game and will pull their blockers more than any other team in the NFL, using creative motion and formation tweaks to add perceived complexity for defenses to deal with. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is a future star, and while the rest of their offensive line lacks true needle-moving talent, the Cardinals play with sound rules and offensive line coach Klayton Adams gets them consistently all moving in the right direction.
The Cardinals got to their gap runs a few different ways against the Vikings. Some got muddied up by the Vikings front, but they were able to pop a couple. pic.twitter.com/OMUWovf8WG
The Cardinals’ defense, which has been typically more fun and interesting than actually good under Nick Rallis since the start of 2023 because of their lack of talent, has started to not only improve, but look outright good.
The Cardinals’ defense currently ranks ninth in DVOA for the entire season and since Week 7 ranks eighth in EPA per play allowed. You read that right. A defense that most NFL fans would struggle to even name a single starter on (even when I include star safety Budda Baker) is now creeping into the top 10 for every football writer’s favorite efficiency numbers.
This defense, which still lacks high-end talent, has often needed smoke and mirrors to confuse quarterbacks and blockers. That includes flying Baker and the other safeties around at the snap of the ball to cause hesitation and mental errors, but often leaving the Cards susceptible to allowing big plays on their own end with all of the late movement and exotic pressure looks. The Cardinals blitz at a decent clip, but will also use simulated and creeper pressures to invert their four pass rushers and seven coverage players and try to create even more confusion for offensive players.
The Cardinals will also drop eight defenders into coverage at one of the highest rates in the NFL, another way to turn the play-calling knobs until they create a positive play. But while the Cardinals have been resorting to this funkiness before, there are now results following this funk-laden process. Linebacker Zaven Collins epitomizes what this defense has been about. The Cardinals drafted Collins under a past regime, and he struggled to find a role to make a consistent impact early in his career. Under Rallis, Collins is tasked with just about everything. Sometimes he’s aligning as an edge rusher, sometimes as an off-ball linebacker, sometimes he’s in coverage, sometimes he’s rushing the passer. Collins was a tweener before, but now his versatility has been unlocked in this fluid defense that will trot out a few big bodies along the defensive line and then ask all of the other players in the front seven, and even on the backend, to do everything else. Every player can be used as a blitzer or in coverage on passing downs, making those downs messy for even some of the best offenses.
Other defenders, like second-year players Dante Stills and Garrett Williams, are also emerging along with former castoffs like Roy Lopez. The Cardinals even traded for Baron Browning from the Broncos to give themselves more pass-rush juice. And, again, the process and more confident talent is starting to lead to results: the Cardinals were ranked 31st in pressure rate from Weeks 1-4. They have ranked eighth in pressure rate since Week 10.
Lingering question
Can they finish drives and can they add more juice through the air?
The Cardinals can move the ball and they can be explosive on the ground. But there are times when their passing game could be expanded more, especially on straight dropback concepts. They’re an offense designed to be methodical, but the passing game can feel a bit tight at times (19th in explosive pass rate). They can still get to big plays, especially with McBride hurdling people weekly, but they often come on designer plays on play-action concepts as opposed to the true flow of the offense.
The Cardinals also move the ball well in the red zone (11th in success rate), but struggle a bit to finish drives with six points. That cropped up in Week 13 against the Vikings. The Cardinals currently rank 23rd in red zone drives that result in touchdowns. They’ve been able to hit a few big passes this season for scores, but getting more big plays through the air, and finishing the drives once they are near the end zone, will help this offense, and team, achieve even more success. The Cardinals face the 29th-most difficult schedule over the last month of the season, starting with their Week 14 battle against the Seahawks. With their run game, the play of Murray, the improvement on the defensive side, and a schedule that consists of the Patriots, Panthers, Rams, and 49ers after the Seahawks, makes them my favorite to win this division once it’s all said and done.
Los Angeles Rams
Current odds to win the division (via BetMGM): +300
What’s up with the Rams lately?
Pokes and a pass rush. That’s the Rams in 2024.
The Rams keep trying to get their offensive personnel healthy and the right group together along their offensive line, but no matter who is out there they’ve kept churning out an effective run game (second in rushing success rate) and efficient overall offense (second in offensive success rate).
The Rams will find every possible way to get to their duo run scheme, shifting players and motioning Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp at the snap to insert on blocks or just to draw attention away from the point of attack on the play. Head coach Sean McVay will revert back to using more zone varieties to keep defenses from teeing off of their primary looks. The passing game is still efficient and dangerous with Matthew Stafford behind center, even when he’s under duress (more on that in a minute).
Nacua has battled injuries this season but has still been just as good as he was as a rookie, even if he’s not on the record pace like he was during his inaugural campaign. He still snatches the football and remains a big, reliable target for Stafford while remaining a smooth-moving bully with the ball in his hands.
The Rams’ defense is led by a young front that currently leads the NFL in team pressure rate and is third in pressure rate when rushing four or fewer players (the Rams, however, rank only 15th in overall pressure rate since Week 10). Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske have both been impact players, especially when rushing the passer. Kobie Turner and Byron Young have played well in their second seasons, creating a group effort of high-energy players with the versatile Michael Hoecht being used to fill in wherever he is needed.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom has been solid this season, too, and even undrafted rookie linebacker Omar Speights has looked like a keeper since being dropped in as a starter.
Lingering question
I have a few things to pick at with the Rams, even if I’m a huge fan of this offense and the young defensive front. When their defensive front doesn’t get pressure, things can get shaky. The Rams have allowed the eighth-highest explosive pass rate since Week 7 and they give up the sixth-highest success rate on dropbacks that take longer than 4 seconds this season. Their defensive backs play sound and very aware, but can get overwhelmed by more talented pass-catchers when they have to hold up on more extended dropbacks.
Can the Rams’ offensive line finally gel and figure out their pass protection? I trust the run blocking of this unit. Even when dealing with injuries, their players are constantly sound in their execution, but there are times when the pass protection can be inconsistent. That can lead to Stafford, not exactly the quickest mover these days in the pocket, vulnerable to taking sacks or having to throw the ball away early.
Speaking of Stafford, the Rams also have drastic splits in their effectiveness when facing man coverage compared to zone coverage.
Can Rams head coach Sean McVay and QB Matthew Stafford keep scheming their way around the team’s weaknesses? So far, it’s worked. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
This season, Stafford has faced the fourth-most dropbacks against man coverage. He ranks 24th in success rate and 28th in EPA per dropback on those plays (he improves to more middle of the pack with Kupp and Nacua both on the field). Against zone coverages, Stafford ranks first in success rate and 10th in EPA per dropback (first and seventh with Kupp and Nacua both on the field). That’s a drastic difference, especially if defenses can pick up on the split and change their own play-calling to take advantage of it (like the Saints did in Week 13 by running more man coverage before the Rams decided to steamroll them in the second half). This is a testament to McVay and the Rams’ offensive coaching staff’s ability to adjust as games go along (the Rams rank first in second-half success rate), but how the Rams look to alleviate their man coverage issue will be something I’m keeping my eye on. Nacua and Kupp aren’t the fastest receivers, and the rest of the Rams’ receiving corps doesn’t threaten defensive backs consistently enough for Stafford to reliably target them. Stafford not being a running threat can also compound this issue, since defenses can stick with man coverage and not worry about the QB running them out of the plays.
The Rams have the ninth-hardest schedule remaining in terms of DVOA, with the Bills this weekend followed by games against the 49ers, Jets, Cardinals, and Seahawks. They are currently listed as +300 to win the division, with a game remaining against all of their division rivals.
I trust the run game, I trust the QB, I trust the offensive staff, I really like the pass rush. This team could break any which way, win any (or every) game, maybe even one in the playoffs, or they could miss the playoffs completely. Any of those results and I would believe it. It’s a fun Rams team that does a lot well. Whether they have the horses, and/or the mental innovation, to shore up their weak points will determine how long this season goes.
San Francisco 49ers
Current odds to win the division (via BetMGM): +1400
What’s up with the 49ers lately?
This really can double as the lingering question section because what happened to the 49ers this season will need a further deep dive in the future.
Pick a position and the 49ers have had significant injuries there. Hell, pick a type of injury and a 49ers player has probably had it this year. Everything from Achilles tendinitis to ACL tears to their first-round rookie receiver getting literally shot. Javon Hargrave tore a triceps. Talanoa Hufanga worked back from his own ACL injury in 2023 to play two games before suffering a wrist injury that has kept him out (he may return soon, though). Charvarius Ward has dealt with a knee injury and personal tragedy. Christian McCaffrey traveled the globe to figure out his ailments before returning and then succumbing to IR himself after the 49ers’ most recent game (the fitting 13th week of the season). His backup Jordan Mason joined him on IR this past week, too. George Kittle and Nick Bosa have missed time. Fred Warner is valiantly battling just to stay on the field. Dre Greenlaw still hasn’t seen the field after his devastating Super Bowl injury. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy missed a game with a shoulder injury that is still lingering.
Dealing with that quantity of injuries will limit any team’s aspirations for the season. Every player I listed above, outside of Mason and Greenlaw, has made a Pro Bowl in their career. Most have made at least one All-Pro team. And despite that, the 49ers are still (technically) in the playoff race. Sure, it’s highly unlikely, but there’s still a tiny chance!
It’s just been too much for the rest of the team to overcome. The 49ers’ offense has lacked real venom this season. They still ranked in or near the top 10 in all of the general efficiency stats. But it always felt harder this season than it has in recent seasons under Kyle Shanahan. With the 49ers’ skill players moving in and out of the lineup because of injuries, and a lack of resources spent on the offensive line to carry the weight during tough stretches, the offense has been mortal this season after feeling invulnerable for stretches over the past two seasons. If the season were to end today, this would be the 49ers’ lowest rushing success rate since 2019. Their lowest EPA per play since 2020. It would be their lowest explosive play rate and first downs per game since Shanahan’s first season in Santa Clara back in 2017. The McCaffrey injuries left the 49ers grasping to replace his impact (most felt with the lack of explosive plays and the 49ers’ frustrating forays into the red zone this season, where the 49ers put up their lowest scoring rates since 2018).
The defense felt the absence of their impact players Ward, Greenlaw, Hargrave, and Hufanga (rookie Malik Mustapha has had some encouraging stretches on the backend, though). Offenses can attack the spine of this defense on the ground or through the air, with the ability to break more tackles on underneath throws without much out there to help Warner despite his best efforts. Teams are still not getting explosives against this defense, but offenses haven’t been this efficient against the 49ers since before they drafted Bosa in 2019. The 49ers allowing the highest success rate since 2018 speaks to this, but even looking at another stat indicates just how much easier it has been on offenses in 2024; the average distance to go for opposing offenses on third down against the 49ers is 6.7 yards this season, the shortest allowed since Shanahan has been the head coach of the 49ers.
The 49ers still have that small, small chance to make the playoffs, which is a miracle considering their building has been essentially an infirmary this season. It’s tough to see them winning out given the current makeup of the team and what currently hinders them, but they remain fascinating to follow for the rest of the season and into the (shudder) offseason as well.
It’s Thanksgiving week in the NFL and a good time to take stock of the NFC’s quarterback outlook with a pinch of optimism. For every. Even the New York Giants.
No need to beat the stuffing out of teams this week. So off we go with thankful thoughts …
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
I’m thankful that the 2025 NFL Draft is absolutely loaded with quality running backs, which is going to be a position Dallas needs to address in serious fashion to help balance out the offense and help quarterback Dak Prescott. Take a spin around the league and look at how much running backs have been making a difference for quarterbacks this season: Derrick Henry in Baltimore, Sequon Barkley pn Philadelphia, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit, Bucky Irving in Tampa, etc. The Cowboys haven’t scared anyone or pushed anyone around in the run game since the 2022 season. Dallas needs to get back to that baseline, and there is an array or running backs in this draft that can get that job done.
Welcome to QB Room, Charles Robinson’s new weekly quarterback-centricNFL column at Yahoo Sports. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)
New York Giants
I’m thankful the Giants did two things with the release of quarterback Daniel Jones. First, they meaningfully committed to moving off a situation that was neither working nor getting better. Now they can focus on whatever veteran quarterback migration presents itself this offseason, as well as a shallow draft class that is going to require some very smart evaluation. The second thing the Giants did was free Jones up to move along with his career, rather than burying him on the bench and carrying out a selfish charade. Jones may not have worked out as the franchise centerpiece that New York was looking for, but he handled things with class and dignity. He earned the right to finish the 2024 season learning from someone else.
Philadelphia Eagles
I’m thankful the Eagles found a way to balance out their scheme with a dynamic running back in Saquon Barkley who has taken a significant amount of wear and tear (and risk) off Jalen Hurts’ body. As indispensable as Barkley and wideout A.J. Brown are in the short term, Hurts remains the centerpiece that the next decade will be built around. From the moment he started and had the ability call his own number in the run game, Hurts was cranking the odometer on his legs and incurring more punishment on his body than he or the Eagles were letting on. General manager Howie Roseman couldn’t let that continue, so he went and got Hurts the best running partner he could find. Hurts will be around far longer than Saquon will be, but Barkley will have helped make that longevity possible by taking some of the punishment off Hurts’ seasonal grind.
Washington Commanders
I’m thankful the Washington Commanders are going to have anywhere from $104 to $130 million in cap space next offseason to help fortify the offense — and most especially the offensive line — with some depth and talent around quarterback Jayden Daniels. That cash spent in free agency will help to balance out a set of draft picks that are bottom heavy, with three of Washington’s seven 2025 picks sitting in the seventh round. There will also be some interesting options in the wide receiver group, helping the Commanders to find a higher-end talent to pair with Terry McLaurin. Daniels had the Commanders ahead of schedule the first half of the season, but you can feel the depth chart needs weighing right about now.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
While I don’t want to celebrate a firing, I’m thankful the Bears made an aggressive move in favor of saving the rookie season of Caleb Williams, moving on from Shane Waldron and elevating Thomas Brown to the offensive coordinator position. Brown got caught in a Hunger Games situation with the Carolina Panthers, with a coaching staff that was pitted against itself and a roster that wasn’t very good. For the rest of this season, he’s the best thing that could have happened for Williams mentally. It has already shown as Brown has pushed Williams to get back to accessing the running part of his skill set. He’ll engineer confidence back into Williams. Just watch.
Detroit Lions
I’m thankful that when Sean McVay gave up on Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams sent Goff to a front office and general manager in Brad Holmes that built a monster around him. Consider the 2024 offensive pieces that were all added in the months or years after the Lions traded for Goff in March of 2021: offensive tackle Penei Sewell and offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and tight end Sam Laporta. That’s seven high-level performers on offense. It’s no wonder Holmes swept the Pro Football Writers’ Association and Sporting New Executive of the Year honors in 2023.
Green Bay Packers
I’m thankful Aaron Rodgers absolutely had to get himself out of Green Bay in 2023, clearing the way for Jordan Love to finally get his career moving. Looking back, this all could have gone very, very differently if Rodgers had simply decided that he was going to stick it out with the Packers through the 2023 season. If Rodgers had remained in the fold rather than pushing for a trade to the New York Jets, the Packers were not going to pick up Love’s fifth-year option for the 2024 season, and he likely would have left the franchise in that spring’s free agency cycle. Instead, Rodgers pushed his way out, Love and the Packers compromised on a two-year extension (rather than Green Bay picking up his fifth-year option) and the rest is history. But all it would have taken to sink the Packers at the quarterback spot was Rodgers sticking around just a little longer.
Minnesota Vikings
I’m thankful Sam Darnold chose his backup quarterback opportunity very carefully in March of 2023, when he was coming off a career-flattening two-year run with the Carolina Panthers. Despite Brock Purdy having the starting job and needing to beat out former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance for backup duties, Darnold trusted his instincts and went to a place that historically had a strong run game commitment under Kyle Shanahan — not to mention a scheme that created a solid supply off open receivers and tight ends. Going to the 49ers and learning Shanahan’s offense resurrected Darnold’s career and made this 9-2 Minnesota Vikings season possible. The franchise couldn’t have asked for a better outcome following the season-ending knee injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, who has spent his first season learning from a guy that has seen a lot of frustrating situations in his career.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
I’m thankful Kirk Cousins and the Falcons got a bye week just before arguably the most important back-to-back of the season to kick off December — versus the Los Angeles Chargers and then on the road in an emotional return to Minnesota for Cousins. Cousins’ last two games for the Falcons stand as his worst two-game stretch so far in Atlanta, and falling flat in the next two could prove disastrous with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting Mike Evans back and looking like a different team in Sunday’s commanding win over the Giants. Having the bye to work with Cousins and also plenty of time to prepare for a playoff-contending Chargers team could end up being vital. Because if the next two games go in the same direction as the last two, it’s going to get tense in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers
I’m thankful some of the September reports after Bryce Young’s benching — which suggested he could have played his last snap for the Panthers and was headed for an offseason trade — will very likely turn out to be wrong. Those in the organization who still believed in him after this season’s rough start were adamant that Young just needed a mental pause to reset himself and regain some confidence. Since taking back the starting job and shedding two underwhelming wide receivers before the trade deadline, Young has gotten better with each passing week, culminating in one of the most encouraging performances of his career against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Young’s size is never going to change, but the skill set that made him the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft is still there. And the Panthers’ best-case scenario is turning into the right direction and building around it in the offseason.
New Orleans Saints
I’m thankful Arch Manning could be coming in the 2026 NFL Draft class, or potentially the 2027 class. The Saints feel like a franchise that is on the cusp of a total rebuild inside one of the next two seasons. It might not be in 2025, given that Derek Carr could still be the starting quarterback and keep the Saints from sinking into the total abyss. But 2026 could be bleak with the age of the backfield and injury history of some of the skill position pieces on offense and pillars on defense. There’s a very real likelihood that the Saints have have another top-15 pick in the upcoming draft, start bottoming out in 2025 and have top five picks in both the 2026 and 2027 drafts. If that’s the case, Manning — who starred at New Orleans’ Isidore Newman High School, and is the grandson of Saints royalty Archie Manning — could end up near the top at either of those drafts. And the Saints will likely have a quarterback need, barring Spencer Rattler blossoming.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m thankful Baker Mayfield’s 2023 “prove it” year didn’t turn out to be fool’s gold and he’s finally reaching the full potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Interestingly, Mayfield’s first seven seasons and first 100 games stack up pretty solidly with the first seven seasons or first 100 games of Drew Brees when it comes to sheer production. While the three-game stretch without Mike Evans showcased how much he means to Tampa Bay’s offense, it also showed that Mayfield could still keep the Buccaneers competitive without Evans and Chris Godwin. Yes, the Bucs had a four-game losing streak from mid-October to mid-November. But no, they were never really an embarrassing offense in that span. Mayfield had everything to do with that — and the remaining schedule now looks extremely winnable when it comes to mounting a playoff run. A 5-1 or even a 4-2 finish could win the NFC South.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Despite it not being perfect, I’m thankful that Kyler Murray is through 11 games of the season and still playing healthy football for the first time since 2020. That has been one of the big priorities inside the franchise, to keep Murray healthy as the program pragmatically learns how to become a contender. While the Seahawks loss certainly toed the line of letting things get out of control — and that offensive line has to figure out how to reincorporate Jonah Williams — Murray remains upright. On top of that, the Cardinals have once again figured out how to consistently beat bad teams. Next, they need to learn how to consistently beat good teams down the stretch this season. Playoffs or not, that would be a step forward and momentum into a 2025 season where things can really turn a corner.
Los Angeles Chargers
I’m thankful Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh sticks to who he is and protects his quarterbacks through investment in the offensive line and the running back room. When Harbaugh took over the Chargers and kept dropping hints that he was going to be the same guy he’s always been, it induced some eye-rolling simply because it sounded … well … old. But here we are about to enter December with running backs and running games suddenly feeling trendy again. That approach has helped temper the amount of pressure put on quarterback Justin Herbert after the wide receiver depth chart was retooled with younger players the last two drafts. The results? Herbert is getting back to that dynamic and exiting passer and athlete that had us so encouraged his first few seasons in the league. And it’s not going to stop here, either. Get ready for Harbaugh’s next old school rules addition this offseason: A dynamic tight end to help bring it all together.
San Francisco 49ers
I’m thankful the 49ers have some time to continue figuring things out with Brock Purdy before he gets his next extension. He’s already had one surgery on the elbow of his throwing arm, and now he’s feeling shoulder soreness. Maybe more than some of Purdy’s up-and-down games as a passer, the health of his arm — and not fully trusting everything the organization says about it — has me white-knuckling a little bit. Purdy’s next contract has the possibility to be an astronomical mistake if the health of his arm goes south or he simply levels off as a starting quarterback. Really, he needed a clean season with the arrow consistently pointed up to land the $60-million-per-season deal that is going to be sought by his representation. That has not happened thus far. But like Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys before them, the 49ers have a fourth year left on Purdy’s rookie deal to make sure the circumstances for an extension are ideal, not to mention franchise tags. Right now, there’s reason to lean into a continuation of the measurement.
Seattle Seahawks
I’m thankful the Seattle Seahawks have a trap door to get out of the final year of Geno Smith’s contract if his regression since his banner 2022 season continues. This is the second straight season Smith’s arrow has pointed a little further down. His interceptions have weighed on the Sehawks four straight weeks, with the defense being more responsible for keeping together a 2-2 record in that span. Smith turned 34 in October and it’s fair to wonder if there’s an upward reversal in the cards for him at this stage. The rest of the season will likely dictate the feeling about that. But if it’s looking like he is what he is … and likelier to get worse than better in 2025, the Seahawks can get out of his deal with a modest $13.5 million in dead salary cap. Given that Seattle can save some money walking away from Smith after this season — and given that Seattle is in rough cap shape if they keep him — it’s a useful option on the table.
Clasamentul din playoff devine la fel de nebun ca un curcan sălbatic înainte de Ziua Recunoștinței, ceea ce se potrivește, deoarece liga atinge acel punct în calendar. NFC West este la fel de imprevizibil ca întotdeauna, Seattle Seahawks preluând conducerea diviziei datorită victoriei lor în fața Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles Rams au avut ocazia să preia conducerea NFC West duminică seara, dar Philadelphia Eagles au preluat comanda NFC Est în schimb cu victoria lor.
Să nu începem nici măcar în cursa pentru capul de serie nr. 7 al NFC, deoarece Washington Commanders au pierdut trei jocuri consecutive pentru a face cursa și mai deschisă. Cardinalii, Rams și 49ers sunt în acea luptă cu Comandanții pentru locul final în playoff.
Miami Dolphins se îndreaptă spre locul final în AFC — Denver Broncos îl dețin în prezent — și mai este încă o mulțime de fotbal de jucat.
Mai jos este o defalcare a clasamentului conferinței după săptămâna 12:
Poza playoff-ului AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
Chiefs rămân capul de serie numărul 1 în AFC după ce au supraviețuit împotriva lui Panthers. Ei conduc Bills cu un joc pentru avantajul terenului de acasă în conferință, în ciuda faptului că Bills dețin jocul de departajare. Kansas City conduce AFC West cu două jocuri peste Chargers.
Program rămas: împotriva Raiders, împotriva Chargers, la Browns, împotriva Texans, la Steelers, la Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
Buffalo urmeaza Kansas City cu un joc pentru capul de serie nr. 1, dar are departajarea fata la fata. Bills conduc AFC East cu patru jocuri față de Dolphins.
Program rămas: vs. 49ers, la Rams, la Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, la Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Steelers rămân în fruntea AFC Nord, în ciuda înfrângerii în fața lui Browns, deoarece au un avantaj de un joc în coloana cu pierderi față de Ravens (împreună cu departajarea față la față față de Baltimore). Pittsburgh este un joc în spatele lui Buffalo pentru capul de serie nr.
Program rămas: la Bengals, vs. Browns, la Eagles, la Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals
4. Houston Texans (7-5)
Texanii rămân pe locul 4 în conferință după pierderea în fața Titans. Ei conduc în continuare AFC South cu două jocuri față de Colts.
Program rămas: la Jaguars, la revedere, împotriva Delfinilor, la Chiefs, vs. Ravens, la Titans
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Ravens preiau capul de serie nr. 5 în AFC după victoria lor asupra Chargers de luni. Ei sunt la jumătate de joc în spatele celor de la Steelers în AFC North cu victoria (Pittsburgh deține departajarea).
Program rămas: vs. Eagles, Bye, la Giants, vs. Steelers, la Texans, vs. Browns
6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Chargers cad la cap de serie nr. 6 în AFC după pierderea în fața Ravens și la trei jocuri în spatele Chiefs din AFC West.
Program rămas: la Falcons, la Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, la Patriots, la Raiders
7. Denver Broncos (7-5)
Broncos încă dețin locul final în playoff în AFC după victoria lor în fața Raiders. Ei îi conduc pe Delfini cu un joc în coloana cu pierderi.
Program rămas: vs. Browns, Bye, vs. Colts, la Chargers, la Bengals, vs. Chiefs
8. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Dolphins se află în cursa playoff-ului AFC, după victoria lor fulminantă asupra Patrioților, a treia victorie consecutivă. Miami se află la un joc în coloana cu pierderi în spatele lui Denver pentru locul final în playoff.
Program rămas: la Packers, vs. Jets, la Texans, vs. 49ers, la Browns, la Jets
9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7)
Colts sunt la două jocuri mai departe de locul final de wild-card în AFC. Ei rămân cu două jocuri în spatele texanilor pentru conducerea diviziei.
Program rămas: la Patriots, la revedere, la Broncos, vs. Titans, la Giants, vs. Jaguars
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
Bengalii sunt în prezent capul de serie nr. 10 în AFC, două jocuri în coloana cu pierderi în spatele Broncos pentru locul final pentru wild-card. Au fost la revedere săptămâna asta.
Program rămas: vs. Steelers, la Cowboys, la Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, la Steelers
Imagine de playoff NFC
1
Leii
10
1
0
.909
2
Vulturii
9
2
0
.818
3
Seahawks
6
5
0
.545
4
Șoimii
6
5
0
.545
5
vikingii
9
2
0
.818
6
Ambalatorii
8
3
0
.727
7
Comandanti
7
5
0
.583
8
Cardinali
6
5
0
.545
9
Bucanarii
5
6
0
.455
10
Berbeci
5
6
0
.455
11
49ers
5
6
0
.455
12
Sfinti
4
7
0
.364
13
Urși
4
7
0
.364
14
Cowboys
4
7
0
.364
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
Lions rămân în vârful NFC North cu victoria lor asupra Colts, conducând divizia printr-un joc împotriva Vikings (și deținând departajarea head-to-head). Ei sunt, de asemenea, cap de serie numărul 1 în NFC, având un avans de un joc față de Eagles.
Program rămas: vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, la Bears, la 49ers, vs. Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
Eagles au preluat controlul NFC East cu victoria lor în fața Rams, combinată cu pierderea Commanders în fața Cowboys în săptămâna 12. Philadelphia conduce Washington cu trei jocuri în coloana cu pierderi din divizie și urmează Detroit cu un joc pentru acasă- avantaj de teren în NFC.
Program rămas: la Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, la Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Seahawks conduc NFC West după victoria de duminică în fața Cardinals și pierderea Rams în fața Eagles. Seattle deține jocul de departajare față în față în fața Arizona pentru liderul divizionar și departajarea față în față față de Atlanta pentru capul de serie nr. 3 din victoria lor în Săptămâna 7.
Program rămas: la Jets, la Cardinals, la Packers, la Vikings, la Bears, la Rams
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
Șoimii conduc NFC South cu un joc față de Buccaneers, dar au măturat și Tampa Bay și dețin jocul de departajare din cap la cap pentru sezon. Ei sunt la revedere săptămâna aceasta.
Program rămas: vs. Chargers, la Vikings, Raiders, vs Giants, Commanders, vs Panthers
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
Minnesota este capul de serie nr. 5 în NFC, după Detroit cu un meci pentru liderul diviziei. Vikingii sunt echipa de top wild-card din conferință.
Program rămas: vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, la Seahawks, vs. Packers, la Lions
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Packers dețin capul de serie nr. 6 în NFC cu două jocuri în coloana înfrângerii față de Commanders și dețin locul final în playoff cu două jocuri față de Cardinals.
Program rămas: vs. Delfinii, la Lions, la Seahawks, vs. Saints, la Vikings, vs. Bears
7. Comandanti de la Washington (7-5)
Comandantii ii trec pe Eagles cu trei jocuri in coloana cu pierderi in NFC East, dupa pierderea lor in fata Cowboys duminica. Washingtonul își păstrează locul final în playoff cu o jumătate de joc.
Program rămas: vs. Titans, la revedere, la Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, la Cowboys
8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Cardinalii au căzut din conducerea NFC West — și din actualul teren de playoff — după pierderea de duminică în fața celor de la Seahawks. Ei sunt în amestec pentru titlul de divizie și locul final în playoff, indiferent. Cardinalii dețin jocul de departajare față la față față de cei 49ers, învingându-i în Săptămâna 5 și pe Rams învingându-i în Săptămâna 2, dar pierd departajarea față în față în fața celor de la Seahawks pentru liderul diviziei în virtutea Săptămânii lor. 11 pierdere.
Program rămas: la Vikings, împotriva Seahawks, împotriva Patrioților, la Panthers, la Rams, împotriva 49ers
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
Buccaneers se află pe locul 9 în NFC, la un joc în spatele lui Falcons pentru primul loc în NFC South. Tampa Bay a fost măturat de Atlanta și este, de asemenea, la un joc din coloana cu pierderi pentru locul final în playoff. Buccaneers dețin jocul de departajare în trei pentru capul de serie nr. 9 în NFC datorită unui record de conferință mai bun (5-3) decât Rams (3-5).
Program rămas: la Panthers, vs. Raiders, la Chargers, la Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs Saints
10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Rams au pierdut șansa de a prelua conducerea NFC West după ce au pierdut în fața Eagles. În schimb, ei sunt cap de serie numărul 10, deținând departajarea recordului diviziei în fața celor de la 49ers, datorită victoriei lor asupra celor de la 49ers în Săptămâna 3.
Program rămas: la Saints, vs. Bills, la 49ers, la Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Pierderea celor de la 49ers în fața celor de la Packers îi ține înapoi în coloana cu pierderi pentru locul final în playoff, chiar dacă sunt ultimii în NFC West și cap de serie nr. 11. San Francisco este, de asemenea, un joc în afara liderului NFC West. 49ers pierd jocul de departajare din cap la cap în fața Rams pentru capul de serie nr. 10 (departamentul divizional a fost folosit pentru a sparge egalitatea în trei dintre Buccaneers, Rams și 49ers).
Program rămas: la Bills, vs. Bears, vs Rams, la Dolphins, vs Lions, la Cardinals
12. Sfinții din New Orleans (4-7)
Sfinții trec la cap de serie nr. 12, în ciuda faptului că au fost la pază săptămâna aceasta, având două jocuri în coloana cu pierderi din locul final în playoff. New Orleans (3-4) deține departajarea record al conferinței față de Chicago (2-4) și Dallas (2-5) pentru capul de serie nr. 12.
Program rămas: vs. Rams, la Giants, vs Commanders, la Packers, vs. Raiders, la Buccaneers
13. Chicago Bears (4-7)
Bears se află cu două jocuri înapoi în coloana cu pierderi a locului final de playoff din NFC. Chicago pierde recordul de departajare al conferinței în fața New Orleans pentru capul de serie nr. 12, dar este înaintea lui Dallas prin aceeași departajare.
Program rămas: la Lions, la 49ers, la Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, la Packers
14. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)
Cowboys au capul de serie nr. 14 în NFC, chiar și după victoria lor supărată asupra Commanders. Ei pierd departajarea recordului conferinței în fața Sfinților și Urșilor.
Program rămas: vs. Giants, vs Bengals, la Panthers, vs Buccaneers, la Eagles, vs Commanders
Clasamentul din playoff devine la fel de nebun ca un curcan sălbatic înainte de Ziua Recunoștinței, ceea ce se potrivește, deoarece liga atinge acel punct în calendar. NFC West este la fel de imprevizibil ca întotdeauna, Seattle Seahawks preluând conducerea diviziei datorită victoriei lor în fața Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles Rams au avut ocazia să preia conducerea NFC West duminică seara, dar Philadelphia Eagles au preluat comanda NFC Est în schimb cu victoria lor.
Să nu începem nici măcar în cursa pentru capul de serie nr. 7 al NFC, deoarece Washington Commanders au pierdut trei jocuri consecutive pentru a face cursa și mai deschisă. Cardinalii, Rams și 49ers sunt în acea luptă cu Comandanții pentru locul final în playoff.
Miami Dolphins se îndreaptă spre locul final în AFC — Denver Broncos îl dețin în prezent — și mai este încă o mulțime de fotbal de jucat.
Mai jos este o defalcare a clasamentului conferinței după săptămâna 12:
Poza playoff-ului AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
Chiefs rămân capul de serie numărul 1 în AFC după ce au supraviețuit împotriva lui Panthers. Ei conduc Bills cu un joc pentru avantajul terenului de acasă în conferință, în ciuda faptului că Bills dețin jocul de departajare. Kansas City conduce AFC West cu două jocuri peste Chargers.
Program rămas: împotriva Raiders, împotriva Chargers, la Browns, împotriva Texans, la Steelers, la Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
Buffalo urmeaza Kansas City cu un joc pentru capul de serie nr. 1, dar are departajarea fata la fata. Bills conduc AFC East cu patru jocuri față de Dolphins.
Program rămas: vs. 49ers, la Rams, la Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, la Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Steelers rămân în fruntea AFC Nord, în ciuda înfrângerii în fața lui Browns, deoarece au un avantaj de un joc în coloana cu pierderi față de Ravens (împreună cu departajarea față la față față de Baltimore). Pittsburgh este un joc în spatele lui Buffalo pentru capul de serie nr.
Program rămas: la Bengals, vs. Browns, la Eagles, la Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals
4. Houston Texans (7-5)
Texanii rămân pe locul 4 în conferință după pierderea în fața Titans. Ei conduc în continuare AFC South cu două jocuri față de Colts.
Program rămas: la Jaguars, la revedere, împotriva Delfinilor, la Chiefs, vs. Ravens, la Titans
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
Chargers sunt capul de serie nr. 5, conducându-i pe Ravens cu un joc în coloana cu pierderi pentru locul de top cu wild-card, îndreptându-se spre confruntarea lor „Monday Night Football” cu Baltimore. Ei sunt cu două jocuri în urmă de Chiefs în coloana de pierderi pentru liderul AFC West.
Program rămas: vs. Ravens, la Falcons, la Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, la Patriots, la Raiders
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
Ravens sunt capul de serie nr. 6 în AFC, îndreptându-se spre confruntarea lor „Monday Night Football” cu Chargers. Ei sunt cu un joc în spatele celor de la Steelers în coloana cu pierderi din AFC North.
Program rămas: la Chargers, vs. Eagles, la revedere, la Giants, vs. Steelers, la Texans, vs. Browns
7. Denver Broncos (7-5)
Broncos încă dețin locul final în playoff în AFC după victoria lor în fața Raiders. Ei îi conduc pe Delfini cu un joc în coloana cu pierderi.
Program rămas: vs. Browns, Bye, vs. Colts, la Chargers, la Bengals, vs. Chiefs
8. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Dolphins se află în cursa playoff-ului AFC, după victoria lor fulminantă asupra Patrioților, a treia victorie consecutivă. Miami se află la un joc în coloana cu pierderi în spatele lui Denver pentru locul final în playoff.
Program rămas: la Packers, vs. Jets, la Texans, vs. 49ers, la Browns, la Jets
9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7)
Colts sunt la două jocuri mai departe de locul final de wild-card în AFC. Ei rămân cu două jocuri în spatele texanilor pentru conducerea diviziei.
Program rămas: la Patriots, la revedere, la Broncos, vs. Titans, la Giants, vs. Jaguars
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
Bengalii sunt în prezent capul de serie nr. 10 în AFC, două jocuri în coloana cu pierderi în spatele Broncos pentru locul final pentru wild-card. Au fost la revedere săptămâna asta.
Program rămas: vs. Steelers, la Cowboys, la Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, la Steelers
Imagine de playoff NFC
1
Leii
10
1
0
.909
2
Vulturii
9
2
0
.818
3
Seahawks
6
5
0
.545
4
Șoimii
6
5
0
.545
5
vikingii
9
2
0
.818
6
Ambalatorii
8
3
0
.727
7
Comandanti
7
5
0
.583
8
Cardinali
6
5
0
.545
9
Bucanarii
5
6
0
.455
10
Berbeci
5
6
0
.455
11
49ers
5
6
0
.455
12
Sfinti
4
7
0
.364
13
Urși
4
7
0
.364
14
Cowboys
4
7
0
.364
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
Lions rămân în vârful NFC North cu victoria lor asupra Colts, conducând divizia printr-un joc împotriva Vikings (și deținând departajarea head-to-head). Ei sunt, de asemenea, cap de serie numărul 1 în NFC, având un avans de un joc față de Eagles.
Program rămas: vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, la Bears, la 49ers, vs. Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
Eagles au preluat controlul NFC East cu victoria lor în fața Rams, combinată cu pierderea Commanders în fața Cowboys în săptămâna 12. Philadelphia conduce Washington cu trei jocuri în coloana cu pierderi din divizie și urmează Detroit cu un joc pentru acasă- avantaj de teren în NFC.
Program rămas: la Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, la Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Seahawks conduc NFC West după victoria de duminică în fața Cardinals și pierderea Rams în fața Eagles. Seattle deține jocul de departajare față în față în fața Arizona pentru liderul divizionar și departajarea față în față față de Atlanta pentru capul de serie nr. 3 din victoria lor în Săptămâna 7.
Program rămas: la Jets, la Cardinals, la Packers, la Vikings, la Bears, la Rams
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
Șoimii conduc NFC South cu un joc față de Buccaneers, dar au măturat și Tampa Bay și dețin jocul de departajare din cap la cap pentru sezon. Ei sunt la revedere săptămâna aceasta.
Program rămas: vs. Chargers, la Vikings, Raiders, vs Giants, Commanders, vs Panthers
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
Minnesota este capul de serie nr. 5 în NFC, după Detroit cu un meci pentru liderul diviziei. Vikingii sunt echipa de top wild-card din conferință.
Program rămas: vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, la Seahawks, vs. Packers, la Lions
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Packers dețin capul de serie nr. 6 în NFC cu două jocuri în coloana înfrângerii față de Commanders și dețin locul final în playoff cu două jocuri față de Cardinals.
Program rămas: vs. Delfinii, la Lions, la Seahawks, vs. Saints, la Vikings, vs. Bears
7. Comandanti de la Washington (7-5)
Comandantii ii trec pe Eagles cu trei jocuri in coloana cu pierderi in NFC East, dupa pierderea lor in fata Cowboys duminica. Washingtonul își păstrează locul final în playoff cu o jumătate de joc.
Program rămas: vs. Titans, la revedere, la Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, la Cowboys
8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Cardinalii au căzut din conducerea NFC West — și din actualul teren de playoff — după pierderea de duminică în fața celor de la Seahawks. Ei sunt în amestec pentru titlul de divizie și locul final în playoff, indiferent. Cardinalii dețin jocul de departajare față la față față de cei 49ers, învingându-i în Săptămâna 5 și pe Rams învingându-i în Săptămâna 2, dar pierd departajarea față în față în fața celor de la Seahawks pentru liderul diviziei în virtutea Săptămânii lor. 11 pierdere.
Program rămas: la Vikings, împotriva Seahawks, împotriva Patrioților, la Panthers, la Rams, împotriva 49ers
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
Buccaneers se află pe locul 9 în NFC, la un joc în spatele lui Falcons pentru primul loc în NFC South. Tampa Bay a fost măturat de Atlanta și este, de asemenea, la un joc din coloana cu pierderi pentru locul final în playoff. Buccaneers dețin jocul de departajare în trei pentru capul de serie nr. 9 în NFC datorită unui record de conferință mai bun (5-3) decât Rams (3-5).
Program rămas: la Panthers, vs. Raiders, la Chargers, la Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs Saints
10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Rams au pierdut șansa de a prelua conducerea NFC West după ce au pierdut în fața Eagles. În schimb, ei sunt cap de serie numărul 10, deținând departajarea recordului diviziei în fața celor de la 49ers, datorită victoriei lor asupra celor de la 49ers în Săptămâna 3.
Program rămas: la Saints, vs. Bills, la 49ers, la Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Pierderea celor de la 49ers în fața celor de la Packers îi ține înapoi în coloana cu pierderi pentru locul final în playoff, chiar dacă sunt ultimii în NFC West și cap de serie nr. 11. San Francisco este, de asemenea, un joc în afara liderului NFC West. 49ers pierd jocul de departajare din cap la cap în fața Rams pentru capul de serie nr. 10 (departamentul divizional a fost folosit pentru a sparge egalitatea în trei dintre Buccaneers, Rams și 49ers).
Program rămas: la Bills, vs. Bears, vs Rams, la Dolphins, vs Lions, la Cardinals
12. Sfinții din New Orleans (4-7)
Sfinții trec la cap de serie nr. 12, în ciuda faptului că au fost la pază săptămâna aceasta, având două jocuri în coloana cu pierderi din locul final în playoff. New Orleans (3-4) deține departajarea record al conferinței față de Chicago (2-4) și Dallas (2-5) pentru capul de serie nr. 12.
Program rămas: vs. Rams, la Giants, vs Commanders, la Packers, vs. Raiders, la Buccaneers
13. Chicago Bears (4-7)
Bears se află cu două jocuri înapoi în coloana cu pierderi a locului final de playoff din NFC. Chicago pierde recordul de departajare al conferinței în fața New Orleans pentru capul de serie nr. 12, dar este înaintea lui Dallas prin aceeași departajare.
Program rămas: la Lions, la 49ers, la Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, la Packers
14. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)
Cowboys au capul de serie nr. 14 în NFC, chiar și după victoria lor supărată asupra Commanders. Ei pierd departajarea recordului conferinței în fața Sfinților și Urșilor.
Program rămas: vs. Giants, vs Bengals, la Panthers, vs Buccaneers, la Eagles, vs Commanders
