NFC playoff picture: Seahawks in trouble after disastrous Week 8 results

Two weeks ago, the Seattle Seahawks lost their lead in the NFC West to the San Francisco 49ers, but were at least tied for first place at 3-3. They then took back the lead after defeating the Atlanta Falcons, while the 49ers lost again to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the worst-case scenario has occurred, with Seattle once again losing the league lead after a significant loss to the Buffalo Bills, but the worst-case scenario has occurred.

The rest of the NFC West quickly caught up. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-20, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-27 on Sunday to pick up their third win in four games (all on late-game field goals), while the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers held on for a 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

If you're staying current, the Seahawks lost, everyone else in the NFC West won. That means the Seahawks have dropped to third place in the division in the tiebreaker, and it's one heck of a deadlock right now.

NFC West standings

1.) Arizona Cardinals (4-4, 2-0 DIV) Week 9 vs. Chicago Bears
2.) San Francisco 49ers (4-4, 1-2 DIV) – Week 9 Bye
3.) Seattle Seahawks (4-4, 0-1 DIV) – Week 9 vs. Rams
4.) Los Angeles Rams (3-4, 1-1 DIV) – Week 9 at Seahawks

With the 49ers out next week, the Seahawks are guaranteed to finish last if they lose to the Rams if they reach their bye week. Seattle could regain the lead with a win over the Rams and a Cardinals loss to the Bears. I know which outcome is far more likely.

As for the overall playoff picture, it's bleak for the Seahawks. The division could be their only path to the playoffs, and today's only saving grace is that the loss to the Bills has no bearing on the top tiebreakers; It may matter for strength of victory or common opponents, but these are less important decision points.

Head of the NFC department

1. Detroit Lions (6-1)

2. Washington Commander (6-2)

3. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

4. Arizona Cardinals (4-4, win over SF, better division record than SEA)

Wildcard

5. Green Bay Packers (6-2)

6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2, winning over PHI)

7. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

Not in the playoffs

8. Chicago Bears (4-3)

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4, better NFC record than SF)

10. San Francisco 49ers (4-4, win over SEA)

11. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)

12. Los Angeles Rams (3-4, better NFC record than DAL)

13. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

14. New York Giants (2-5, 1-4 NFC)

15. New Orleans Saints (2-6, 2-3 NFC)

16. Carolina Panthers (1-7)

The Seahawks better “get it right” soon or these items will become draft order items before Thanksgiving.