November 25th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
With Week 12 behind us, we have a new #1 seed in the NFC after the Los Angeles Rams won their ninth game of the year. There was quite a bit of movement in the NFC, with the top three playoff spots changing teams from Week 11. With the short week ahead for many teams, let’s look through the NFC standings.
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#1 - Los Angeles Rams (+2)
One week after taking over first place in the NFC West, the Rams have continued to move up in the NFC with a 34-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The victory has put the Rams at 9-2, good for the best record in the NFC. The Rams defense harassed Baker Mayfield into his worst game of the season, a 9-19 showing with one touchdown and two interceptions before exiting the game with a shoulder injury. The victory sent the Bucs to their fourth loss in five weeks, who are now only a half game up for the lead in the NFC SOUTH. The Rams will go on the road this week to face the Carolina Panthers.
#2 Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
The Philadelphia Eagles are reeling after a stunning loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After leading 21-0 in the second quarter, the Eagles gave up 24 unanswered points to lose to the Cowboys on a walkoff field goal by Brandon Aubrey. The Eagles lost after leading by at least 21 points for the first time since 1999, and the division loss makes it sting even more. The Eagles have a tough rebound game ahead when they host the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears on Friday.
#3 - Chicago Bears (-1)
Coming off a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bears continued their hold on the NFC North. The team won 31-28 after Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a late scratch for the matchup. Bears fans would have rather had an opportunity to beat their old Packers’ foe, but will take the victory over backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. The Chicago Bears move down to third in the conference based on the tie breaker with the Eagles over the better win percentage in conference games, but they will have an opportunity to overtake them when they play each other on Friday.
#4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The final division leader is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6-5. We previously remarked on the Buccaneers relatively easier path to the playoffs, but they have given up that lead with their third consecutive loss - this one at the hands of the #1 Rams. The Bucs' slide has given up their divisional lead and now sit only half a game above the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs will look to right the pirate ship next week against the Arizona Cardinals.
#5 - Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks continued to lead the NFC Wildcard chase with a 30-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans, who remain in the hunt for the first pick overall in April’s draft. The Seahawks played a clean game, giving up zero turnovers while wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba had yet another stellar game. Smith-Njigba had 167 yards receiving and two touchdowns, and his big day put him on pace for the first ever 2,000 yard receiving season in NFL history. The Seahawks will host the Minnesota Vikings this week, who may be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy after he entered the concussion protocol on Monday.
#6 - Green Bay Packers
The Packers held steady at the sixth seed in the NFC after a complete victory against their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The 23-6 victory was led by running back Emanuel Wilson’s first career start. Wilson carried the ball 28 times for two touchdowns. The defense forced three turnovers (two interceptions and one fumble) while sacking McCarthy five times. The Packers have a tough road test ahead on Thanksgiving Day, travelling to Detroit to take on the Lions.
#7 - San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers continued to hold the last wildcard after a 20-9 victory at home against the Carolina Panthers. It was a turnover-prone game, as the teams combined for five interceptions and one lost fumble. The best source of offense for the 49ers was former Panther Christian McCaffrey, who had 142 yards of offense and one touchdown. The 49ers will go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns next week.