NFL Week 13 playoff rooting guide: Vikings, Saints, and Bills can help the Seahawks

Everything broke the Seattle Seahawks’ way last week. Not only did they defeat the Arizona Cardinals, but the rest of the NFC West lost. We even got a bonus with the Washington Commanders’ surprise loss to the Dallas Cowboys, opening up the slight possibility of a Wild Card berth. Seattle now leads the NFC West as we enter December, making for one hell of a finish in the closest division race in the NFL.

Before we get to the playoff rooting guide, let’s go big picture and take a look at the latest NFC standings following Thursday’s games.

NFC standings as of Week 13’s Thanksgiving games

Division Leaders

1. Detroit Lions (11-1)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5, win over ARI, win over ATL)

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5, loss to SEA)

Wild Card

5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)

7. Washington Commanders (7-5)

Outside Looking In

8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5, loss to SEA)

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6, 5-3 NFC)

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6, win over SF, 3-5 NFC)

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6, loss to LAR)

12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

13. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

14. Chicago Bears (4-8)

15. Carolina Panthers (3-8)

Eliminated

16. New York Giants (2-10)

Once again, we are not focused on the top two seeds in the NFC. Those are realistically unattainable and indeed the Seahawks are one Detroit Lions win away from being mathematically out of the hunt for the top spot. We’re focusing on the division primarily, the seventh seed secondarily, and we’re also adding in some 3-seed vs. 4-seed rooting this week.

Top Priority

Minnesota Vikings over Arizona Cardinals (10 AM PT, FOX)

At the very least, a Cardinals loss would keep them behind the Seahawks in the NFC West standings for another week. The Cards haven’t won in Minnesota since the 1970s, when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. Slingin’ Sam Darnold is having his own career renaissance and is a lock for the playoffs. Minnesota’s defense is one of the best in the NFL, and this might be a tough one for Kyler Murray and company to deal with.

New Orleans Saints over Los Angeles Rams (1:05 PM, FOX)

The Saints are not totally dead in the NFC South chase thanks to the recent struggles of the Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans started 2-0, then lost seven straight, and have won two in a row with Derek Carr back at quarterback. They’re only a game behind the Rams in the standings, so it’s not some tremendous mismatch. This is a Saints home game and it should be an amped up crowd.

Losses by the Rams and Cardinals guarantee the Seahawks stay in first place in the NFC West entering Week 14.

Buffalo Bills over San Francisco 49ers (5:20 PM, NBC)

The 49ers are down a lot of players.

It’s also going to be incredibly snowy.

The Bills are still chasing the No. 1 seed with their tiebreaker over the Kansas City Chiefs. A reeling 49ers team may not be able to recover from a third straight loss.

Good to have, but not necessary

Tennessee Titans over Washington Commanders (10 AM, CBS)

Another loss for the Commanders opens up some serious WC possibilities for other NFC teams. Dan Quinn wouldn’t dare have a 7-2 team collapse to 7-6, would he? The Titans just upset the Houston Texans last week, so they’re capable of pulling off a surprise. If the Seahawks keep winning, of course, then the Wild Card ceases to be a needed backdoor option.

Los Angeles Chargers over Atlanta Falcons (10 AM, CBS)

The Falcons were 6-3 and seemingly running away with the NFC South. They’ve lost two straight and find themselves with the Buccaneers and Saints lurking. A Chargers win would knock Atlanta to .500, and keep in mind that Seattle has a head-to-head tiebreaker over Atlanta. The difference between the 3-seed and 4-seed is the possibility of a Divisional Round home game as the 3-seed (see: Detroit Lions in 2023). Yes, this is thinking far ahead but it ain’t that far ahead when it’s December on Sunday. The Chargers are still looking to solidify a playoff spot, and a win over the Falcons would put them in strong position to do just that.

Carolina Panthers over Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:05 PM, FOX)

The Bucs have the superior NFC record over the Seahawks, so tacking on another NFC loss would be nice. Bryce Young has led the Seahawks-heavy Panthers to two wins over their last three games, and nearly toppled the Kansas City Chiefs. Generally speaking, the worse the NFC South fares, the more likely Seattle can snag the No. 3 seed. It’s not super necessary, but it’s preferred!

Go Vikings, Saints, and Bills! And (less so) go Titans, Chargers, and Panthers!