The Cardinals have the first-round playoff bye position in the conference and the best record in the league, heading into Week 13. With six games remaining, the question is, can the Cardinals maintain it?
No. 1 Arizona Cardinals (9-2): The Cardinals had a much-needed bye in Week 12, keeping them a half-game above Green Bay in the standings. The Los Angeles Rams' loss to Green Bay also increased the Cardinals' division lead in the NFC West. The Cardinals face the Bears in Week 13.
No. 2 Green Bay Packers (9-3): Green Bay is 4-0 against NFC West teams this season, after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday at Lambeau Field. Green Bay has an upcoming bye Week 13 but can recapture the No. 1 seed Sunday with a Cardinals loss, since the Packers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3): Tampa Bay had an impressive comeback victory Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts to cap their second consecutive victory and inch closer towards the top two spots in the NFC. Only one opponent in the Bucs' final six games has a winning record. Week 13 features a matchup with the struggling Falcons.
No. 4 Dallas Cowboys (7-4): Dallas has dropped in the standings after suffering two consecutive losses, and it doesn't help that the organization is experiencing a Covid outbreak. On the bright side, Dallas has five of their next six games against teams with losing records – and still sit atop the NFC East division.
No. 5 Los Angeles Rams (7-4): The Rams have dropped three consecutive games, all against Super Bowl contenders. The Rams are now two games behind the Cardinals and one game ahead of San Francisco in the NFC West. The Rams will face the Jaguars in Week 13.
No. 6 San Francisco 49ers (6-5): San Francisco earned its third consecutive victory by beating Minnesota on Sunday, and in doing so, received an uptick in the standings. San Francisco, winners of four of its last five, is closing in on the Rams for the top wild-card seed.
No. 7 Washington Football Team (5-6): Thanks to a Monday night victory over Seattle, the Football Team, winners of three straight, have jumped in front of Minnesota for the final playoff spot in the conference. Washington is now two games behind Dallas in the NFC East.
In the Hunt: Minnesota Vikings (5-6), Atlanta Falcons (5-6), New Orleans Saints (5-6), Philadelphia Eagles (5-7), Carolina Panthers (5-7)
What's on the line for the Cardinals in Week 13: The Cardinals will face Chicago in Week 13 with the No. 1 seed on the line. Since Green Bay owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Cardinals, after beating them earlier in the season, the Cardinals must maintain a better record to hold the position. If Chicago pulls off the upset against the Cardinals on Sunday, the No.1 seed will reside again in Green Bay.
