NFC Playoff picture: How Packers stack up heading into Week 10

At 7-2, the Green Bay Packers have positioned themselves in a good place after the first nine weeks of the season. However, there’s still more work to do.

With just under half of the season remaining, let’s take a look at how Green Bay stacks up against the rest of the NFC in the playoff picture.

For starters, they are leading the NFC North by a wide margin despite losing to the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Their seven victories are more than the Minnesota Vikings (3-5), Chicago Bears (3-6) and Detroit Lions (0-8) have combined for so far this year. They will likely lock up the division in a matter of weeks and secure at least one playoff game in the friendly confines of Lambeau Field.

Here’s how the Green Bay Packers stack up against the rest of the NFC as we take a look at the playoff picture heading into Week 10.

The Packers have their eyes on a bigger prize than just one home playoff game, however.

With seven spots up for grabs in the NFC, only the top-seeded team will get a first-round bye–a rule change that was made last season. After beating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, they secured the tie-breaker and the top overall seed. Unfortunately, they fell to the second seed in the NFC this week following their loss and the Cardinals’ win.

In the hunt:

1. Arizona Cardinals (8-1)
2. Green Bay Packers (7-2)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
4. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
5. Los Angels Rams (7-2)
6. New Orleans Saints (5-3)
7. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)

On the bubble:

• Carolina Panthers (4-5)
• Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
• Seattle Seahawks (3-5)
• San Francisco 49ers (3-5)

Green Bay also holds a half-game lead over both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys, both of whom are 6-2. Green Bay won’t play either team so the tie-breaker will be divisional record.

The Los Angeles Rams, who the Packers face later this season, are also looming out there. They’re currently in fifth place in the NFC, but are just one game behind the Cardinals with another matchup between the two squads still on their schedule. The Packers’ game against them will be a big one with huge playoff implications.

The New Orleans Saints (5-3) and Atlanta Falcons (4-4), both of the NFC South, currently assume the final two playoff spots. The Carolina Panthers (4-5) are also a team of note.

Green Bay takes on the Seattle Seahawks (3-5) with Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers both likely returning. The Packers need to get back in the win column and keep pace with Arizona to keep their chances of home-field advantage and a first-round bye alive.