EAGAN, Minn. — As the schedule hits the final four weeks of the 2019 season, the NFC has had its first four teams eliminated from postseason contention.
Detroit, Arizona, Atlanta and the New York Giants were eliminated in Week 13.
The NFC has five teams, including Minnesota, with eight or more victories, which is creating an uphill climb for the next grouping of teams.
Here's a look at the NFC standings, along with the remaining schedules, win percentages of upcoming opponents and a status update as we head into Week 14.
1. New Orleans Saints (10-2)
12/8 SF (10-2)
12/16 IND (6-6)
12/22 @ TEN (7-5)
12/29 @ CAR (5-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 28-20
Opponents' win percentage: .583
Status: New Orleans is the only team that has clinched its respective division. They have a head-to-head tiebreaker on the Seahawks and can earn one against the 49ers this week in what is arguably their toughest remaining game.
2. Seattle Seahawks (10-2)
12/8 @ LAR (7-5)
12/15 @ CAR (5-7)
12/22 AZ (3-8-1)
12/29 SF (10-2)
Remaining foes' combined records: 25-22-1
Opponents' win percentage: .531
Status: Seattle's win over Minnesota vaulted the Seahawks into the front of the NFC West. This week's showdown on Sunday Night Football has the potential to be another great one.
3. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
12/8 WAS (3-9)
12/15 CHI (6-6)
12/23 @ MIN (8-4)
12/29 @ DET (3-8-1)
Remaining foes' combined records: 20-27-1
Opponents' win percentage: .427
Status: The Packers are back in the driver's seat for the NFC North. They currently have the head-to-head and division-record tiebreakers on the Vikings. Minnesota needs to win out and have Green Bay lose twice in order to win the division.
4. Dallas Cowboys (6-6)
12/5 @ CHI (6-6)
12/15 LAR (7-5)
12/22 @ PHI (5-7)
12/29 WAS (3-9)
Remaining foes' combined records: 21-27
Opponents' win percentage: .438
Status: After opening 3-0 — mind you, against the Giants, Redskins and Dolphins — the Cowboys have dropped six of nine. Dallas, however, remains on top of the NFC East.
5. San Francisco 49ers (10-2)
12/8 @ NO (10-2)
12/15 ATL (4-8)
12/21 LAR (7-5)
12/29 @ SEA (10-2)
Remaining foes' combined records: 31-17
Opponents' win percentage: .646
Status: San Francisco can still control its destiny with regard to earning the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-4)
12/8 DET (3-8-1)
12/15 @ LAC (4-8)
12/22 GB (9-3)
12/29 CHI (6-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 22-25-1
Opponents' win percentage: .469
Status: The Vikings are banged up and have a short week against a Lions team that has encountered more than its fair share of injuries this season.
7. Los Angeles Rams (7-5)
12/8 SEA (10-2)
12/15 @ DAL (6-6)
12/21 @SF (10-2)
12/29 AZ (3-8-1)
Remaining foes' combined records: 29-18-1
Opponents' win percentage: .615
Status: Which Rams team will close December? The one that lost 45-6 to the Ravens on Nov. 25 or the one that defeated the Cardinals 34-7 on Sunday?
8. Chicago Bears (6-6)
12/5 DAL (6-6)
12/15 @ GB (9-3)
12/22 KC (8-4)
12/29 @ MIN (8-4)
Remaining foes' combined records: 31-17
Opponents' win percentage: .646
Status: Chicago has won three of four after dropping four in a row from Oct. 6 through Nov. 3 and is looking to make a late-season surge.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
12/8 IND (6-6)
12/15 @ DET (3-8-1)
12/21 HOU (8-4)
12/29 ATL (3-9)
Remaining foes' combined records: 20-27-1
Opponents' win percentage: .427
Status: The Buccaneers have won consecutive games against the Falcons and Jaguars, but a Wild Card spot is the best they can hope for, and they'd need help.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)
12/9 NYG (2-10)
12/15 @ WAS (3-9)
12/22 DAL (6-6)
12/29 @ NYG (2-10)
Remaining foes' combined records: 13-35
Opponents' win percentage: .271
Status: The Eagles have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFC, but Philadelphia just added to the "Any Given Sunday" narrative, ironically in Miami. Where's Pacino?
11. Carolina Panthers (5-7)
12/8 @ ATL (3-9)
12/15 SEA (10-2)
12/22 @ IND (6-6)
12/29 NO (10-2)
Remaining foes' combined records: 29-19
Opponents' win percentage: .604
Status: The Panthers have dropped five of six and four in a row, including home games against the Falcons and Redskins. They are looking up, and the best possible outcome is the No. 6 seed, but they would need to win out and receive additional help.
12. Detroit Lions (3-8-1)
12/8 @ MIN (8-4)
12/15 TB (5-7)
12/22 @ DEN (4-8)
12/29 GB (9-3)
Remaining foes' combined records: 26-22
Opponents' win percentage: .542
Status: The Lions have dropped eight of nine and been eliminated from the postseason, but they have kept things close against most teams. Minnesota's 42-30 win in Detroit on Oct. 20 is Detroit's only loss that has been by more than one score this season.
13. Arizona Cardinals (3-8-1)
12/8 PIT (7-5)
12/15 CLE (5-7)
12/22 @ SEA (10-2)
12/29 @ LAR (7-5)
Remaining foes' combined records: 29-19
Opponents' win percentage: .604
Status: The Cardinals three wins this season are against teams that are a combined 6-30 (Bengals, Falcons, Giants). Arizona has been eliminated from postseason contention.
14. Atlanta Falcons (3-9)
12/8 CAR (5-7)
12/15 @ SF (10-2)
12/22 JAX (4-8)
12/29 @ TB (5-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 24-24
Opponents' win percentage: .500
Status: The Falcons also have been eliminated from postseason play but are seeking a season sweep of the Panthers.
15. Washington Redskins (3-9)
12/8 @ GB (9-3)
12/15 PHI (5-7)
12/22 NYG (2-10)
12/29 @ DAL (6-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 22-26
Opponents' win percentage: .458
Status: Even though Washington is below three teams that have been eliminated from postseason play, there's still a scenario in which the Redskins could win the division.
16. New York Giants (2-10)
12/9 @ PHI (5-7)
12/15 MIA (3-9)
12/22 @ WAS (3-9)
12/29 PHI (5-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 16-32
Opponents' win percentage: .333
Status: Eight consecutive losses — some close, others not so much — have Big Blue moving up the big board for next year's NFL Draft.
