NFL playoff rooting guide for Week 13: Vikings, Saints and Bills can help Seahawks

NFL playoff rooting guide for Week 13: Vikings, Saints and Bills can help Seahawks

Last week, the Seattle Seahawks lost everything. Not only did they beat the Arizona Cardinals, but the rest of the NFC West lost as well. With the Washington Commanders’ surprising defeat against the Dallas Cowboys, we even got a bonus that gave us a slim chance of a wild card spot. Heading into December, Seattle now leads the NFC West, setting up a hell of a result in the NFL’s closest division race.

Before we get to the playoff rooting guide, let’s take a look at the current NFC standings after Thursday’s games.

NFC rankings as of Week 13 Thanksgiving games

Head of department

1. Detroit Lions (11-1)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5, win over ARI, win over ATL)

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5, loss to SEA)

Wildcard

5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)

7. Washington Commanders (7-5)

Look from the outside in

8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5, loss to SEA)

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6, 5-3 NFC)

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6, win over SF, 3-5 NFC)

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6, loss to LAR)

12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

13. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

14. Chicago Bears (4-8)

15. Carolina Panthers (3-8)

Eliminated

16. New York Giants (2-10)

Again, we’re not focusing on the NFC’s top two seeds. These are realistically unattainable, and in fact the Seahawks are just one Detroit Lions win away from being mathematically eliminated from the hunt for the top spot. We’re focusing on division first, seventh seed second, and we’re also adding some 3-seed vs. 4-seed roots this week.

Top priority

Minnesota Vikings above Arizona Cardinals (10 a.m. PT, FOX)

At the very least, a Cardinals loss would keep them behind the Seahawks in the NFC West standings for another week. The Cards haven’t won in Minnesota since the 1970s, when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. Slingin’ Sam Darnold is having his own career renaissance and is safe for the playoffs. Minnesota’s defense is one of the best in the NFL, and that could be a difficult task for Kyler Murray and Co.

New Orleans Saints above Los Angeles Rams (1:05 ​​p.m., FOX)

Thanks to the Atlanta Falcons’ recent struggles, the Saints aren’t quite dead in the NFC South chase. New Orleans started 2-0, then lost seven straight and won two straight with Derek Carr at quarterback. They’re just one game behind the Rams in the standings, so it’s not a huge imbalance. This is a Saints home game and it should be an excited crowd.

Losses by the Rams and Cardinals guarantee that the Seahawks will remain in first place in the NFC West entering Week 14.

Buffalo Bills above San Francisco 49ers (5:20 p.m., NBC)

The 49ers lost a lot of players.

It will also be incredibly snowy.

The Bills are still in the hunt for the No. 1 seed with their tiebreaker over the Kansas City Chiefs. A reeling 49ers team may not be able to recover from a third straight loss.

Good to have, but not necessary

Tennessee Titans above Washington commanders (10 a.m., CBS)

Another loss for the Commanders opens up serious championship opportunities for other NFC teams. Dan Quinn wouldn’t dare let a 7-2 team collapse to 7-6, would he? The Titans just upset the Houston Texans last week, so they’re in position to pull off an upset. Of course, if the Seahawks keep winning, the Wild Card is no longer a necessary backdoor option.

Los Angeles Chargers over Atlanta Falcons (10 a.m., CBS)

The Falcons were 6-3 and appeared to be running away with the NFC South. They have lost two in a row and now face the Buccaneers and Saints. A Chargers win would move Atlanta to .500, and remember that Seattle has a head-to-head tiebreaker against Atlanta. The difference between the 3 seeds and 4 seeds is the possibility of a divisional round home game as 3 seeds (see: Detroit Lions in 2023). Yes, that’s far-forward thinking, but it’s not far ahead if December is on Sunday. The Chargers are still trying to solidify their spot in the playoffs, and a win over the Falcons would put them in a good position to do so.

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:05 ​​p.m., FOX)

The Bucs have the better NFC record over the Seahawks, so it would be nice to take another NFC loss. Bryce Young has led the Seahawks-heavy Panthers to two wins in their last three games and nearly toppled the Kansas City Chiefs. In general, the worse the NFC South standings, the more likely Seattle is to secure the No. 3 seed. It’s not essential, but it’s preferred!

Go Vikings, Saints and Bills! And (less) go Titans, Chargers and Panthers!

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