Entering Week 17, five teams had at least an outside shot at earning a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
But with the slate of games over, the top of the bracket looks exactly how most fans expected it to: The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers are the top two seeds.
Seattle beat St. Louis Sunday to earn the No. 1 seed for the second straight year. Green Bay held off Detroit to win the NFC North and wrap up the No. 2 seed, relegating the Cardinals and Lions to Wild Card status while forcing the surging Cowboys to play on Wildcard weekend.
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 to win the NFC South and the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
Here’s how the playoff picture shapes up. Click here to view how the AFC’s Playoff Picture is panning out.
NFC
The Division Winners
1. Seattle Seahawks: NFC West champions
2. Green Bay Packers: NFC North champions
3. Dallas Cowboys: NFC East champions
4. Carolina Panthers: NFC South champions
The Wild Card Teams:
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Detroit Lions
Notes:
Dallas will host Detroit and Carolina will host Arizona next weekend.
The Panthers are just the 2nd sub .500 division winner in the modern era (2010 Seattle Seahawks, 7-9).
Comments
Updated NFC Playoff Picture, Seeds & Scenarios 2014