NFC Playoff Picture: Week 11

[Big Red]

It's been a few years since this was needed, but it's time to bring back a weekly look at the NFC playoff picture with the Cardinals in the thick of the race.


A thrilling last-second win over the Bills on Sunday pushed them to the top of the NFC West via tiebreaker. The Cardinals are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC with seven games remaining.


Here is a look at the NFC playoff picture heading into Week 11:


1. Green Bay Packers (7-2): The Packers trailed the Jaguars in the fourth quarter on Sunday but rallied for a 24-20 victory. They hold the tiebreaker over the Saints due to a head-to-head victory.


2. New Orleans Saints (7-2): The Saints knocked off the 49ers, 27-13, on Sunday. They have won six straight games to surpass the Buccaneers atop the NFC South.


3. Arizona Cardinals (6-3): DeAndre Hopkins' Hail Mary touchdown catch with two seconds left gave the Cardinals the improbable 32-30 win over Buffalo. There is a three-way tie for first place in the NFC West, with Arizona currently holding the tiebreaker over the Rams and Seahawks.


4. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5-1): The Eagles lost to the Giants last time out but are still the favorite in the NFC East as every other team in the division is at least four games under .500.


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3): The Bucs pulled away late from the Panthers for their fourth win in the past five games. Tampa Bay has the best point-differential (plus-70) in the NFC but is only the No. 5 seed because it is not leading the division.


6. Los Angeles Rams (6-3): The Rams used a strong defensive effort to knock off the Seahawks on Sunday. Los Angeles has the second-best scoring defense in the NFL this season.


7. Seattle Seahawks (6-3): The Seahawks were once in firm control of the NFC West but have lost three of their past four to drop to third place. Quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown seven interceptions in that span after an MVP start.


In the hunt: Chicago Bears (5-5); Minnesota Vikings (4-5); Detroit Lions (4-5); San Francisco 49ers (4-6); Atlanta Falcons (3-6); New York Giants (3-7); Carolina Panthers (3-7); Washington Football Team (2-7); Dallas Cowboys (2-7).


What's on the line for the Cardinals in Week 11: The "Thursday Night Football" clash against the Seahawks has major ramifications. If the Cardinals win, they will remain in first place in the NFC West and clinch the season tiebreaker over Seattle by virtue of head-to-head results. A loss would drop them behind the Seahawks in the standings.

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