The NFC is shaping up to be an extremely entertaining conference when the playoffs begin, as there are a ton of teams capable enough of making a run, and there could be a scenario where a double-digit win team doesn't make the playoffs at all.
We'll know a lot more about this conference after Thursday Night Football in Week 16. The LA Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks, and the winner of that game will be the no. 1 overall seed in the conference for the time being. LA and Seattle are the two best teams in the NFC, so it's very likely that the winner of the NFC West gets the no. 1 seed, and the second-place finisher gets the no. 5 seed.
Ahead of one of the biggest regular season games of the year, let's crack open a fresh NFC Power Rankings.
Updated NFC Power Rankings ahead of massive Rams-Seahawks TNF clash
16. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are 1-11 over their last 12 games after a solid 2-0 start. The bottom has totally fallen out from under this franchise, and there could be wholesale changes coming this offseason.
15. New Orleans Saints
If nothing else, Tyler Shough, the New Orleans Saints' rookie QB, seems to have something. The Saints have now won two games in a row, and there is a legitimate chance that they end the year on a five-game win streak. I would keep an eye out for the Saints in 2026, but 2025 has largely not been that great.
14. New York Giants
The New York Giants might have a special QB on their hands in Jaxson Dart, but he has to learn how to protect himself better, or his tenure with the G-Men won't be for long. The Giants are again in a dysfunctional mess, but, if nothing else, they can go into the 2026 NFL Offseason building around Dart and hoping for a year two leap.
13. Atlanta Falcons
Another team that could clean house this coming offseason is the Atlanta Falcons. Michael Penix Jr has been out with a knee injury, and it really does not feel like Raheem Morris is going to last as their head coach. Morris seems to be a good coordinator, but a subpar head coach. Atlanta has had a disappointing season in 2025.
12. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have had a season to forget here in 2025, as their starting QB, Jayden Daniels, has missed a chunk of the season with various injuries. The roster itself was overrated by many, myself included, coming into the season, and with the other injuries they dealt with, things just began to pile up. Daniels isn't going to play again this year, and that's a wise decision.
This roster has notable flaws that GM Adam Peters has to fix, as most of his success has solely been due to getting the Jayden Daniels draft pick right.
11. Minnesota Vikings
JJ McCarthy has put forth back-to-back solid performances, so that's something. The Minnesota Vikings still have an unknown at the QB position and probably still need to somehow acquire a high-end backup to compete with McCarthy. The second-year QB missed his entire rookie season and has largely been in and out of the lineup this year. It's clear that the inconsistent QB play has ruined the Vikings' season.
10. Carolina Panthers
The 7-7 Carolina Panthers just can't seem to find any consistency, and I think this ultimately boils down to the QB situation, as Bryce Young feels like an average player at best. Until Carolina gets serious about the most important position in sports, this is probably their ceiling, but they still can win the NFC South this year and host a playoff game. If nothing else, the weapons on offense are good, and the defense has largely played well this year.
Carolina is still not quite there yet, though.
9. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have now lost two games in a row after winning three in a row. Strapped with a top-tier offense, it's been the bottom-feeding defense that has practically ruined this season for Dallas. They aren't far away, though, as this coming offseason can be dedicated to getting that side of the ball right, and if they do, the Cowboys will win double-digit games in 2026.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are clinging to life in the NFC South and could end up winning the division again and hosting a playoff game, but the Bucs are a flawed team and have dealt with some injuries this year. Head coach Todd Bowles also seems to be losing grip on this team, as they've taken a huge step back even from earlier in the season. Tampa could make some coaching changes this coming offseason.
7. Detroit Lions
The 8-6 Detroit Lions have a top-notch offense and quarterback, but the defense has been a liability this year, so they are currently on the outside of the NFC playoff picture and have some work to do. Detroit should be able to get back on track this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jared Goff has been sensational this year, but it's largely hard to believe that this team went 15-2 in the regular season last year and has already tripled their loss total now.
Detroit may have to win two of their final three games, at least, to get into the playoffs.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles got back on track a bit with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, but beating the Raiders isn't saying much. Philly is a flawed team, as the offense has taken a noticeable step back. Philly is probably going to do enough to win the NFC East, but this team simply doesn't have the bite that they did last year. I would not be shocked if they went one-and-done in the playoffs this year.
5. San Francisco 49ers
Thanks to a soft schedule and great coaching, the San Francisco 49ers are 10-4 on the season. San Fran doesn't do much of anything overly well, but head coach Kyle Shanahan knows how to guide his teams. The 49ers don't have the top-end talent to make a deep playoff run, but with how experienced they are in the postseason, I would keep an eye on this team - there is a chance that a playoff win or two could be on the way depending on who they play.
4. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers took a brutal loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 15. In the process, they lost Micah Parsons to a torn ACL, so he's going to be out for 9-12 months. The Packers are now in second place in the NFC North and are in Chicago to face the Bears in Week 16. What the Packers do have going for them is a top QB in Jordan Love, who has played well this year, and a defense that should still be solid, even without Parsons.
3. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are 10-4 on the season thanks to a blowout win over the Cleveland Browns and are now no. 3 in our updated NFC Power Rankings. You'd ideally love to see Caleb Williams play more efficiently, but he's not taken as many sacks and simply does not turn the ball over much.
Chicago still might be a year away from actual contention, but being 10-4 in the first year of the Ben Johnson era is very impressive.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are 11-3 on the season and host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. A few weeks ago, Seattle dropped a stinker of a game to LA, and if Sam Darnold didn't throw four interceptions, the result may have been different. Darnold is the key factor in this matchup, as he seems to shrink in big games, but that doesn't always have to be true. Seattle and LA have excellent rosters and coaching, but it's really the QB play that puts LA over the top.
1. Los Angeles Rams
The winner of this TNF clash in Week 16 will be the top team in the NFC. The Los Angeles Rams occupy that spot for now. One of the more well-rounded teams in the league, LA might have the MVP this year in Matthew Stafford, but they also have a punishing defense as well. There isn't much LA can't do, and this team is plenty capable of winning it all this year.