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The NFL playoff race is a vastly different story in both conferences. The AFC is like the Wild West all throughout, while the NFC has some structure for at least the top five seeds. After that is where the fun begins with all the possibilities with the wild card spots.
As it stands now, the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Washington Football Team hold the three wild card spots in the NFC. After that there is a whole list of teams still with hope they can reach the postseason. Even the 4-7 New York Giants are not out of the running just yet.
Let's take a look at the five NFL teams with the best odds to take home a wild-card spot in the NFC.
5 NFL teams battling for the 3 NFC wild card spots
#5 - Atlanta Falcons
The 5-6 Atlanta Falcons being alive in the NFL playoff race is a surprise given their play as of late. Three weeks ago saw the Falcons get dismantled by a 43-3 final against the Dallas Cowboys. Next up was a 25-0 beatdown at the hands of the New England Patriots.
But the Falcons took care of business against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12 and have a chance to make a huge statement in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One thing going for Atlanta is that they hold the tiebreaker over the New Orleans Saints thanks to a head-to-head victory. However, they have already lost to both Tampa Bay and Carolina.
All five of the Falcons' wins have come against NFL teams who currently have a losing record. Taking down the Buccaneers would prove they are legitimate in this NFC playoff race.
#4 - Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are an incredibly difficult NFL team to figure out. The team is 5-6 and all six losses have come by single-digit margins. So a few different breaks here and there and this is a sure playoff team.
They currently sit in eighth spot in the NFC standings, right behind Washington. Kirk Cousins' squad should be able to climb back to .500 as well this week with a game against the Detroit Lions.
Getting to 6-6 could help gain some separation from the three other 5-6 teams in the conference. Conversely, a loss against the Lions would prove this Vikings team may need to make some changes in the 2022 NFL offseason.
In addition to the game against the Lions, the Vikings still have two against the Chicago Bears and another against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The tough tests come against the Rams and Green Bay Packers, but Minnesota did just beat the Packers two weeks ago.
It's been a crucial NFL season for Cousins and head coach Mike Zimmer. If they can't even finish with a winning record, one of the duo may need to go to move forward.
Also check out: Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff History, Appearances, Wins and more
#3 - Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team officially hold the seventh and final NFL wild-card spot in the NFC. The feat was accomplished after beating the Seattle Seahawks on Monday and effectively ending Russell Wilson's bid to return and become a hero in 2021.
Washington have won three straight and that includes a 29-19 win over Tampa Bay to begin this current run. Taylor Heinicke did well guiding the offense and Antonio Gibson ran for just 111 yards against Seattle. And let's not forget about the dynamic play of wideout Terry McLaurin.
Washington have the Las Vegas Raiders on schedule this week before five NFC East games to close out the NFL season. If they run the table, it's still possible for them to claim the division and forget about a wild card berth.
#2 - San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are on a nice run as of late, winning three straight after a 3-5 start to the NFL season. Jimmy Garoppolo is not giving up his job to Trey Lance and Elijah Mitchell is battling through injuries to dominate from the backfield.
Being at 6-5 entering NFL Week 13 has the 49ers in control of their own playoff destiny. They are unlikely to win out, but can enter each week knowing what needs to be done given the logjam behind them in the standings.
The first order of business is taking care of business against Seattle in Week 13. If the 49ers win that, they should be able to silence some of their doubters given their current 1-3 divisional record.
#1 - Los Angeles Rams
Where do we begin with the Los Angeles Rams? This is an NFL team that began the year looking like a serious Super Bowl contender with a record of 7-1. Three losses have since followed and their 7-4 mark is good for the top wild card spot in the NFC.
The losing streak hurts because the Rams are trying to keep pace with the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals atop the NFC West. And it's still possible for the Rams to compete for the crown because the two teams are squaring off again in Week 14. The Cardinals won the first matchup earlier this year.
But the Los Angeles defense needs to get it together if they are going to have any shot at chasing a Super Bowl this year. The unit just gave up 36 points to Green Bay one week after allowing 31 to San Francisco.
As for the offense, their scoring average has dropped during this recent streak. The 28 points scored against Green Bay was a welcome sight after only scoring 10 against the 49ers.
A Week 13 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars should do the trick in getting the Rams back on track. But if they lose again, they won't be thinking about the NFC West crown. Instead, they will be worried about making the NFL postseason in general.
