NFC Playoff Picture: Packers earn top seed heading into Week 11

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith (91) chases Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during their football game on Sunday November 14, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Pack Vs Seattle 0308 111421wag
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith (91) chases Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during their football game on Sunday November 14, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Pack Vs Seattle 0308 111421wag /
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The standings atop the NFC have changed for the better, at least as far as the Green Bay Packers are concerned, since we last checked in on the playoff picture a week ago.

Green Bay defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17-0 last Sunday, improving their record to 8-2 on the season. That’s good enough for the top spot in the NFC as well as the NFC North. They have a big showdown coming up this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings and they’ll have to find a way to win without some of their key guys, possibly on both sides of the ball.

The Arizona Cardinals fell into a tie with Green Bay atop the standings, with the Packers holding the tie-breaker following their victory a couple of weeks ago. Arizona has been without Kyler Murry and DeAndre Hopkins, but they hope to get them back before a Week 11 matchup against the Seahawks.

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 11.

At 7-2, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t far behind. They had an embarrassing loss two weeks ago, but bounced back last week with a big victory. They play the 6-4 Kansas City Chiefs this weekend.

In the Hunt:

  1. Green Bay Packers (8-2) (Previous 2)
  2. Arizona Cardinals (8-2) (Previous 1)
  3. Dallas Cowboys (7-2) (Previous 4)
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) (Previous 3)
  5. Los Angeles Rams (7-3) (Previous 5)
  6. New Orleans Saints (5-4) (Previous 6)
  7. Carolina Panthers (5-5) (On the bubble)

On the Bubble

  • Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
  • San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
  • Atlanta Falcons (4-5)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) and the Los Angeles Rams (7-3) are in fourth and fifth. The Rams are in fifth because they are second in their division while the Buccaneers lead the NFC South.

The 5-4 New Orleans Saints and the 5-5 Carolina Panthers bring up the rear in the final two playoff spots in the NFC. Minnesota (4-5) desperately wants to beat Green Bay this weekend to get back to .500 and try to inch closer to a playoff spot. The San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons are also in the mix at 4-5.

Packers: 5 unsung heroes so far this season. dark. Next

Green Bay is in the mix of their toughest stretch of the season right now. After traveling to Minnesota, they host the Rams who will be coming off their bye. Green Bay then has a bye of their own before hosting the Chicago Bears, traveling to Baltimore to face the Ravens, and hosting the Cleveland Browns in their net three games. They then finish up the regular season with a pair of divisional games against the Vikings and Detroit Lions.