The NFL Playoff Picture for the NFC is heating up as Eagles make an appearance

The NFL playoff picture for the NFC is in constant change. With the Packers, the Cowboys, the Buccaneers and the Rams all winning and the Cardinals dropping their second consecutive game, there is trouble brewing in Arizona.

The Cowboys laid a 56-14 beatdown on Washington, while the Eagles continued to win games as they hunt for a wildcard playoff spot. With Aaron Rodgers and the Packers looking in superb form, the road to the Super Bowl for the NFC is almost certain to go through Lambeau Field.

SK takes an in-depth look at the NFC Playoff Bracket.

NFC Playoff Picture: Where do the teams rank?

#1 - Green Bay Packers (12-3)

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This week: 24-22 W v Browns
Top performer: Davante Adams (10 rec, 114 yards, 2 TDs)
Next week: Sunday v Vikings (8:25 pm ET, NBC, Peacock)

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers just keep on rolling. In a superb Christmas Day showing, Rodgers captured the franchise record for most touchdown passes, surpassing Brett Favre. Rodgers also registered the most touchdown passes to a single receiver (Davante Adams).

The road to the Super Bowl looks to be going through Lambeau Field as Green Bay look like the best team in the NFL. The only worry would be Rodgers' toe injury as it looked like it was bothering him.

#2 - Dallas Cowboys (11-4)

This week: 56-14 W v Washington
Top performer- Dak Prescott (330 passing yards, 4 TDs)
Next week: Sunday v Cardinals (4:25 pm pm ET, FOX)

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys demolished Washington on Sunday Night Football as they put up 42 points in a superb first-half display.

The offense looked like it was back to its best and the defense took the ball away for scores and got sacks on Taylor Heinicke at will. If Dallas play like this for the next five or so weeks, a deep playoff run is coming.

#3 - Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

This week: 30-23 W v Vikings
Top performer: Sony Michel (27 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD)
Next week: Sunday @ Ravens, (4:25 pm ET, FOX)

The Rams have jumped up to number three seed after the Cardinals' shortcomings over the last two games. Cooper Kupp kept doing his thing as he notched another 100+ yard receiving game; but Matthew Stafford's three interceptions raised eyebrows.

With Sony Michel running the ball with authority, the Rams have a run game to complement their superb passing attack. Likely to get a weaker opponent if their seeding holds, the Rams are heating up at the right time.

#4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4)

This week: 32-6 W v Panthers
Top performer: Antonio Brown (10 rec, 101 yards)
Next week: Sunday @ Jets, (1 pm ET, FOX)

Another win for Tom Brady and the Buccaneers saw them clinch their division. Fans will now see Brady play his 46th playoff game this season.

Antonio Brown made a huge return from his three-game suspension, catching ten passes for 101 yards in the 32-6 win over the Panthers. The Buccaneers need to keep their heads above water until help arrives in the first week of the playoffs as both Mike Evans and Leonard Fournette are slated to return.

#5 - Arizona Cardinals (10-5)

This week: 22-16 L v Colts
Top performer: Chase Edmonds (16 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, 8 rec, 71 yards)
Next week: Sunday @ Cowboys (4:25 pm ET, FOX)

It's official: the Arizona Cardinals are in crisis mode with three consecutive losses that have seen them drop. From having a stranglehold on the number one seed, Arizona have plummeted to the fifth seed.

Kyler Murray needs to steady the ship, but it does not get any easier with a meeting against the red-hot Dallas Cowboys up next. The Cardinals are in free fall and cannot afford to lose on Sunday.

#6 - San Francisco 49ers (8-7)

This week: 20-17 L v Titans
Top performer: Deebo Samuel (9 rec, 159 yards)
Next week: Sunday v texans (4:25 pm ET, CBS)

The 49ers had a rather indifferent game against the Titans. For the first half, the 49ers were rolling and took a 10-point lead into half time. However, in the second half things turned sour.

The 49ers were outscored 20-7 in the second half with AJ Brown doing all the damage as Kyle Shanahan had no answer for the star receiver.

The current number six seed have a matchup against the Rams in their last regular season game, which could determine if they make the postseason or not.

#7 - Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)

This week: 34-10 W v Giants
Top performer: DeVonta Smith (5 rec, 80 yards, 1 TD)
Next week: Sunday @Washington (1 pm ET, FOX)

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are in the playoff picture for the first time this season thanks to Miami defeating the Saints on Monday Night Football.

With a running game to complement Hurts along with some weapons on offense and a stout defense, the Eagles could be facing the Dallas Cowboys in their final game to see if they can book their place in the postseason.

If the playoffs started today, Philadelphia would travel to Dallas in the first week of the playoffs.

Current NFC Playoff Matchups

No. 1 Green Bay (bye)
No. 7 Phialdelphia @ No. 2 Dallas
No. 6 San Francisco @ No. 3 Los Angeles
No. 5 Arizona @ No. 4 Tampa Bay

Also check out: Dallas Cowboys Playoff History, Appearances, Wins and more

About the author

Adam Schultz is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda with over 5 years of experience. He prides himself on the accurate reporting of facts by double-checking every piece of information in his articles, and knows what exactly to highlight in them owing to his in-depth knowledge of the teams he covers.

Adam is a supporter of the Dallas Cowboys, who were the first team he saw play. Dez Bryant is his all-time favorite player, mostly due to the wide receiver's athleticism and the unique lack of weaknesses in his game.

If Adam could go back in time and watch any game, he would want to witness the “Dez Caught It” playoff game from January 2015, where Bryant and the Cowboys lost 26-21 to the Green Bay Packers in highly controversial circumstances at Lambeau Field.

When he isn't writing about or watching football, Adam enjoys doing sports photography.

Know More

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Edited by Piyush Bisht

NFL Playoff Picture: Packers tough it out as Eagles climb