The NFC playoff picture is starting to clear up, as the 49ers, Saints and Green Bay Packers are all working to secure the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
The Baltimore Ravens control the AFC, but in the NFC, there are a handful of scenarios still at play in the NFC East and NFC West.
Here is a look at the standings ahead of Monday’s matchup between the Packers and Minnesota Vikings:
NFC
Division Leaders
1. San Francisco (12-3, clinched playoff berth)
2. New Orleans (12-3, clinched NFC South)
3. Green Bay (11-3, clinched playoff berth)
4. Philadelphia (8-7)
Wild Card
5. Seattle (11-4, clinched playoff berth)
6. Minnesota (10-4, clinched playoff berth)
In the Hunt
7. Dallas (7-8)
The Cardinals victory over the Seahawks in Seattle presents three opportunities for Green Bay to secure the No. 1 seed:
1. Packers beat Vikings On Monday Night Football
2. Packers beat Lions on Sunday
3. Seahawks beat 49ers on Sunday night
Regardless of Monday night, if San Francisco can beat Seattle next Sunday night on NBC, they’ll be the top seed in the NFC.
If the Seahawks beat the 49ers on Sunday night, Green Bay will be the top seed, and the Vikings could find themselves heading to Philadelphia.
We ranked the Birds potential opening-round opponents with the top team as the easiest Wild Card opponent and the third team presenting the most difficult challenge.
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1. San Francisco 49ers
The NFC’s top team all season, we’re banking on an experienced team folding under the pressure and the weather that Lincoln Financial Field can offer. Jimmy Garoppolo has never started a playoff game and first-year playoff starters have about a 30% chance of being successful.
The 49ers defense is heralded, but they play into the Eagles strength on the offensive line and San Franciso has given up almost 40 points a game over the last three outings.
Both Seattle and San Francisco would also be traveling across country on a short week, and possibly have to play on Saturday night.