Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn.The Vikings (5-8) staved off official elimination from the NFC Playoffs in Week 14 with a 31-0 win over the Commanders (3-10), eliminating Washington from postseason contention.

Minnesota needs a ton of help over the final four weeks of the season. The only scenario that would involve the Vikings surging to the postseason would require Minnesota going 4-0 in Weeks 15-18, plus having other teams drop multiple contests down the stretch.

The biggest thing the 2025 Vikings needed was something positive to happen after four consecutive losses, and Minnesota was able to appreciate the shutout victory. Now a team that has struggled to maintain momentum throughout the season will try to carry it over into Week 15 at Dallas where the Cowboys (6-6-1) are vying for their own playoff chances.

Here's a look at the current NFC playoff picture with conference standings and a status update as we head into Week 15.

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Current Division Leaders

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Lions (8-5)

12/18 @ Seahawks (10-3)

12/29 @ Falcons (4-9)

Week 18 Cardinals (3-10)

Status:Matthew Stafford has thrown at least two touchdown passes in seven consecutive games, breaking a tie with Kurt Warner (1999 & 2001), Trent Green (2000), Roman Gabriel (1967) and Norm Van Brocklin (1957) for the longest streak in Rams history. L.A. racked up 530 yards, even though Stafford only played one snap in the fourth quarter (a 48-yard TD run by Blake Corum).

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 @ Broncos (11-2)

12/20 @ Bears (9-4)

Week 17 Ravens (6-7)

Week 18 @ Vikings (5-8)

Status:Aaron Rodgers is a "Yinzer" in Pittsburgh these days, but the Packers showed they still have an ownership stake of the Bears. That's 12 wins in the past 13 games against Chicago. The Packers are 4-0 against the NFC North this season after a 1-5 showing in 2024. A good game this past week could lead to a great rematch in Week 16.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Raiders (2-11)

12/20 @ Commanders (3-10)

12/28 @ Bills (9-4)

Week 18 Commanders (3-10)

Status:The Eagles dropped their third consecutive decision, a run that began with blowing a 21-point lead against the Cowboys. Jalen Hurts joined Daniel Jones as the only QBs this season with five giveaways in a game (having an INT and losing a fumble on the same play is quite a combo) and Sam Darnold and Max Brosmer as the only QBs with four picks in a game this season.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

Remaining Schedule

12/11 Falcons (4-9)

12/21 @ Panthers (7-6)

12/28 @ Dolphins (6-7)

Week 18 Panthers (7-6)

Status:Tampa Bay has dropped four of five since its Week 9 bye, but the Bucs remain in control of their own destiny if they can right their ship. After going 8-for-8 with 84 yards and a score in the first quarter, Baker Mayfield went 6-for-22 with 38 yards and a passer rating of 20.6 against the Saints in Week 14.

Current Wild Card Teams

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Colts (8-5)

12/18 Rams (10-3)

Week 17 @ Panthers (7-6)

Week 18 @ 49ers (9-4)

Status:Seattle outscored Atlanta 31-3 in the second half after finishing the first half tied at 6-6. It was the fifth time the Seahawks have won a game this season by 20 or more points and the fourth time this season for Seattle to put up more than 30 in a half. The 2013 Denver Broncos (lost Super Bowl XLVIII to Seattle) are the only team since 2000 with more halves with 30-plus points (six).

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Titans (2-11)

12/22 @ Colts (8-5)

12/28 Bears (9-4)

Week 18 Seahawks (10-3)

Status:San Francisco will return from its bye with a chance to become the third team in the NFC West with 10 or more wins this season. The 49ers are 0-2 so far against AFC South teams.

7. Chicago Bears (9-4)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Browns (3-10)

12/20 Packers (9-3-1)

12/28 @ 49ers (9-4)

Week 18 Lions (8-5)

Status:Chicago's five-game win streak ended at Lambeau Field. Caleb Williams rebounded from a slow first half (42.9 completion percentage and 32 passing yards) with a 61.9 rate and 154 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to rally the Bears. Williams was intercepted in the end zone by C.J. Gardner-Johnson on fourth-and-1 with under 30 seconds remaining in the 28-21 loss.

Striking distance

8. Detroit Lions (8-5)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 @ Rams (10-3)

12/21 Steelers (7-6)

12/25 @ Vikings (5-8)

Week 18 @ Bears (9-4)

Status:The Lions ran on all cylinders against the Cowboys to open Week 14 on Thursday Night Football. Jahmyr Gibbs tied a career high with three rushing touchdowns, and David Montgomery scurried for a 35-yard score in a 44-30 win. Gibbs tied Lions Legend Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns before turning 24 and most in a player's first three seasons (47).

9. Carolina Panthers (7-6)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 @ Saints (3-10)

12/21 Buccaneers (7-6)

Week 17 Seahawks (10-3)

Week 18 @ Buccaneers (7-6)

Status:Carolina is back from its bye and will try to avenge an earlier loss to the Saints to make Weeks 16 and 18 mean as much as possible.

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Vikings (5-8)

12/21 Chargers (9-4)

12/25 @ Commanders (3-10)

Week 18 @ Giants (2-11)

Status:The Cowboys allowed 40-plus points for the third time this season, tying for the most such games in a single-season in team history (1960, 1962, 2013, 2024). Dak Prescott threw for 376 yards, but Dallas was unable to keep stride on the scoreboard after CeeDee Lamb left the game in concussion protocol.

Math exists but you don't want to figure out the equation

11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 @ Cowboys (6-6-1)

12/21 @ Giants (2-11)

12/25 Lions (8-5)

Week 18 Packers (9-3-1)

Status:Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak and will try to put together a five-game winning streak to finish the season. The Vikings streamlined the offensive approach, and J.J. McCarthy responded with three touchdown passes in a game for the first time (seventh start).

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12. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)

Remaining Schedule

12/11 @ Buccaneers (7-6)

12/21 @ Cardinals (3-10)

12/29 Rams (10-3)

Week 18 Saints (3-10)

Status:The Falcons are guaranteed to lose at least nine games for the eighth consecutive season, joining the Jets for the longest active streak. Atlanta was limited to just 1-for-13 on third down, and Seattle limited Kirk Cousins to a 38.5 passer rating.

13. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 @ Texans (7-6)

12/21 Falcons (4-9)

Week 17 @ Bengals (4-9)

Week 18 @ Rams (10-3)

Status:Dating to last season, Trey McBride has recorded at least five catches in 15 consecutive games, tying Travis Kelce (2018) for the longest streak by a tight end in NFL history.

14. New Orleans Saints (3-10)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Panthers (7-6)

12/21 Jets (3-10)

12/28 @ Titans (2-11)

Week 18 @ Falcons (4-9)

Status:Tyler Shough threw for 144 yards and rushed seven times for 55 yards (including scores of 34 and 13 yards) in the upset win. Shough joined Archie Manning as the only Saints rookie QBs to win multiple starts.

15. Washington Commanders (3-10)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 @ Giants (2-11)

12/20 Eagles (8-5)

12/25 Cowboys (6-6-1)

Week 18 @ Eagles (8-5)

Status:The 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday eliminated the Commanders from postseason contention, guaranteeing at least one different participant in the NFC Championship Game from last year.

16. New York Giants (2-11)

Remaining Schedule

12/14 Commanders (3-10)

12/21 Vikings (5-8)

Week 17 @ Raiders (2-11)

Week 18 Cowboys (6-6-1)

Status:A late bye finally gave the Giants a breather from seven consecutive losses, which all began with blowing a 19-0 lead in the fourth quarter with a 33-32 loss at Denver in Week 7.

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