Week 14 NFC Playoff Picture: Eagles dominate, Commanders get back on track, 49ers eye elimination and more

It's December, and the 2024 NFL season is officially winding down. The NFC playoff picture is getting clearer by the week as contenders are quickly separated from the pretenders.

The Philadelphia Eagles recorded a statement win on Sunday, the Washington Commanders ended a mini-slump and the San Francisco 49ers' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.

Let's examine the NFC postseason picture and what teams could potentially do to play more than one game in January.

NFC playoff picture heading into Week 14

Philadelphia Eagles dominate Baltimore Ravens for eighth win in a row

The difference a couple of months can make. The Philadelphia Eagles had to resist calls from an annoyed fan base for Nick Sirianni to do his job following the 2023-24 postseason debacle. The decision now looks like a masterstroke, as Sirianni has led the franchise to eight consecutive wins.

Their most recent victory against the Baltimore Ravens might be the best yet due to the stakes involved. The Ravens are one of the best teams in the league, and their quarterback and running back combo is the best in recent memory.

However, the Eagles were able to limit them to a paltry 19 points in Week 14. Philadelphia is now on track to securing a top seed in the NFC.

Washington Commanders back on track

The Washington Commanders had a fast start to the season, securing seven wins after just nine weeks. However, they then went on a three-game losing streak, dropping games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

Dan Quinn and his coaching staff certainly knew the effect of four consecutive losses so close to January, and that spurred them to a blowout win over the Tennessee Titans. They go into the bye week with a solid amount of motivation to close the season with a bang.

The San Francisco 49ers eye elimination

Has a Kyle Shanahan team ever been so unlucky? It's a valid concern at this stage, as the 49ers dropped to 5-7 following their Week 13 defeat to the Buffalo Bills.

The 49ers have lost three consecutive games for the first time this season, and their playoff chances have become slimmer with each loss. Furthermore, some reports speculate that Christian McCaffrey might be out for the season due to another injury setback. It's a tough time to be a 49ers fan.

Overview of NFC playoff picture after Week 13

1. Detroit Lions 11-1 (first in the NFC North)

2. Philadelphia Eagles 10-2 (first in the NFC East)

3. Seattle Seahawks 7-5 (first in the NFC West)

4. Atlanta Falcons 6-6 (first in the NFC South)

5. Minnesota Vikings 10-2 (second in the NFC North)

6. Green Bay Packers 9-3 (third in the NFC North)

7. Washington Commanders 8-5 (second in the NFC East)

Currently out of playoff spots

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-6 (second in the NFC South)

9. Los Angeles Rams 6-6 (second in the NFC West)

10. Arizona Cardinals 6-6 (third in the NFC West)

11. San Francisco 49ers 5-7 (fourth in the NFC West)

12. Dallas Cowboys 5-7 (third in the NFC East)

13. New Orleans Saints 4-8 (third in the NFC South)

14. Chicago Bears 4-8 (fourth in the NFC North)

15. Carolina Panthers 3-9 (fourth in the NFC South)

16. New York Giants 2-10 (fourth in the NFC East)