Over the past few weeks, several teams holding playoff spots in the NFL have shown glimpses of who they truly are.
Although plenty can change by the end of the season, Yardbarker is examining each current playoff team’s potential as a Super Bowl contender based on its roster, past performance and, to a lesser extent, future outlook.
With that in mind, here’s a look at which NFC playoff teams are contenders and pretenders.
Detroit Lions (11-1)
They have yet to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but the Lions’ rebuild has panned out just as successfully as they could’ve hoped. Through 12 games, Detroit has solidified itself as the Super Bowl front-runner and arguably the most well-rounded roster in the NFL.
The explosive Lions offense averages a league-leading 31.9 points, largely due to a career season from QB Jared Goff as well as the dominance of RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Goff, a three-time Pro Bowler, has completed 71.8% of his passes for 2,982 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Meanwhile, Gibbs and Montgomery recently became the first RB duo in NFL history to each score double-digit rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
The defense isn’t nearly as loaded with talent, but it’s still a formidable unit that has performed admirably while star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been sidelined. Since Hutchinson suffered a likely season-ending leg injury in Week 6, Detroit has allowed the second-fewest points (16) and eighth-fewest yards per game (313.86).
The Lions have continuously proved they can overwhelm playoff-caliber opponents as well as humiliate the NFL’s bottom-feeders and have a league-best +180 point differential, 74 points more than the next-closest team. As long as they play to their standard, the Lions should at least make it back to the NFC Championship Game.
Verdict: Contender
Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
After starting a disappointing 2-2, the Eagles have re-emerged as a threat in the NFC. It’s fair to say that they’re even more dangerous than the Philadelphia team that reached Super Bowl LVII, considering the new element that RB Saquon Barkley has brought to the offense.
Barkley, who signed with Philadelphia this past offseason after spending the first six seasons of his career with the New York Giants, is an MVP candidate. The 27-year-old leads the NFL with 1,392 rushing yards, already a career high, and has scored 12 touchdowns, his most since his stellar 2018 rookie season.
Barkley’s outstanding play has more than compensated for the absences of WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith due to injuries. Although Smith has underwhelmed, Brown has produced like one of the league’s top wideouts when healthy, averaging 90.9 receiving yards per game, the third most in the NFL.
On defense, Philadelphia has turned a corner since suffering a 33-16 Week 4 road loss to Tampa Bay. Over their current seven-game winning streak, the Eagles have allowed the fewest points (103) and yards (1,558) among teams.
Like the Lions, Philadelphia has the talent to win games in a number of ways. If HC Nick Sirianni can continue to stay out of his own way, the team should be headed for another deep playoff run.
Verdict: Contender
Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Seattle and first-year HC Mike Macdonald sit atop the tightly contested NFC West after a 16-6 home win over Arizona (6-5) in Week 12. The Seahawks are a middle-of-the-pack team, ranking 15th in point differential and 17th in yardage differential, yet it’s worth noting that several key injuries have contributed to these results.
From Weeks 4 through 9, Seattle posted a dismal 1-5 record, but the team has been clicking since its Week 10 bye, with the defense leading the way. Over the past two games — both wins against division rivals — the Seahawks surrendered the second-fewest points (23) and fourth-fewest yards among teams (575).
QB Geno Smith is second in the league in passing yards (3,035) and has had several big moments this season. But he is far from perfect, tossing 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Seattle’s receiving corps and running back room are strong, but its offensive line raises concerns whether the offense can stay consistent, having allowed the eighth-most sacks this season (37).
Even though the Seahawks are in the driver’s seat in the NFC West, making the playoffs won’t be easy, more so since Arizona and Los Angeles have easier remaining schedules. And even if the team reaches the postseason while maintaining its current level of play, Seattle is too inconsistent to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Verdict: Pretender
Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
In response to finishing 7-10 in each of the past three seasons, Atlanta overhauled its coaching staff and aggressively added talent in the offseason, most notably signing QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. It took Cousins time to readjust to game speed after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023, but the Falcons won four of their first six games.
However, Atlanta has stumbled over the past month and a half, losing three of its past five games. The offense has been inconsistent during this span, while the defense has been exposed as one of the league’s weaker units. Overall, Atlanta’s defense has allowed the eighth-most points per game (24.9) and only racked up 10 sacks, the fewest in the NFL by seven.
Considering every other team in the NFC South has a losing record, coupled with the fact that the Falcons have the eighth-easiest remaining schedule, they’re well-positioned to clinch the division title. Even so, given their -30-point differential on the season, the Falcons simply lack the talent necessary to make much noise in the playoffs if they get there.
Verdict: Pretender
Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
Despite losing Cousins in free agency, the Vikings are 9-2 for the first time since 2017, with their only losses coming against Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams.
DC Brian Flores’ imposing defense is the driving force behind Minnesota’s success. Through 11 games, the defense has allowed the third-fewest points and seventh-fewest yards among teams (3,490) and ranks first in pressures (137) and fourth in sacks (38) and takeaways (22).
Minnesota also boasts a top-10 scoring offense under starting quarterback Sam Darnold. The former No. 3 overall pick has enjoyed a career renaissance with the Vikings after failed stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, in addition to spending last season in a backup role with San Francisco. This season, Darnold has thrown for 2,717 yards and 21 touchdowns, the fourth most among QBs.
Nevertheless, Darnold’s 10 interceptions (the fourth most in the NFL) suggest he’s more the turnover-prone QB we saw in New York and Carolina than a franchise guy.
If the season ended today, Minnesota would face the Falcons in the wild-card round, a favorable matchup for the Vikings. Still, should such a situation unfold and the Vikings advance to the divisional round, it’s hard to have much faith in Darnold winning on the road against the Lions.
Verdict: Pretender
Green Bay Packers (9-3)
The NFL’s youngest team entering the season, Green Bay has won seven of its past eight games, including three straight since dropping a Week 9 home matchup against Detroit.
The Packers spent heavily in free agency after finishing 9-8 and losing in the divisional round last season. Their top acquisitions — RB Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney — have sizzled. Jacobs has rushed for the third-most yards among tailbacks (987) and eight touchdowns, whereas McKinney has notched seven interceptions, the most in the NFL.
The success of Jacobs, in particular, has helped make up for QB Jordan Love’s lackluster play. Love has been plagued by injuries this season and, when healthy, hasn’t been nearly as effective as he was last season. The first-round pick has thrown for 2,518 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in only 10 games but hasn’t turned the ball over in his past two outings.
Losses to Philadelphia, Minnesota and Detroit are decent indicators the Packers aren’t better than those NFC forces. However, if Love can continue showing signs that he may be returning to his 2023 form, he’s the type of talent capable of leading his team on a deep playoff run.
Verdict: Contender
Washington Commanders (7-5)
One of the best stories of the regular season, Washington looks like a completely different franchise than it was under former owner Dan Snyder. The Josh Harris-led ownership group made massive upgrades this past offseason, none more impactful than the coaching change from Ron Rivera to Dan Quinn and the selection of rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
Daniels’ dual-threat skills have translated relatively smoothly to the NFL, and he is the favorite to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year, per BetGM. The LSU product has completed 68.4% of his passes for 2,613 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions and rushed for 556 yards and five TDs. Additionally, Washington’s offense is averaging the fifth-most points (27.8).
Defensively, Washington isn’t impressive, but it has more talent than the unit that finished 32nd in points and yards allowed last season and now ranks 17th (23.1) and 16th (334.6) in those departments. It’s possible the defense can improve by season’s end because of the addition of four-time Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline.
Washington’s rebuild has started on a high note, and the franchise is trending in the right direction. However, just because the future is bright doesn’t mean the future is now. Since starting the season with an unexpected 7-2 record, the Commanders have lost three consecutive games, and their defensive limitations continue to become evident.
Perhaps the most concerning statistic for Washington is that it only has one win against a team with a winning record through Week 12 (Tampa Bay in Week 1). Lattimore’s addition could change things, though it’s more likely that Daniels and Co. go one-and-done in the playoffs, especially if they face Philadelphia in the wild-card round.
Verdict: Pretender
