Updated NFC Playoff picture and standings as Cowboys prepare for 49ers

The 2024 season has been anything but predictable thus far, and if you're looking for definitive proof, simply take a look at the NFL playoff picture through seven weeks, particularly in the NFC.

Of the seven NFC teams that played extra football a season ago, only two would do so again if this campaign's postseason started tomorrow, those being the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. We won't remind you what the Packers did in their first playoff game. It certainly needs to be noted that all four teams from the NFC North would be in at this point.

The Minnesota Vikings, of course, just lost their first game of the year (nobody could have seen that coming) this past week in an instant classic with the Lions, and the new-look Chicago Bears are ahead of schedule and sitting at 4-2.

The NFC South was up for grabs this season and is currently controlled by the Atlanta Falcons, who have the same 4-3 record as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Coming into the year, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, both of whom made the playoffs last season, were essentially the only two teams to be given a real chance at the postseason. But as it stands now, it's the Washington Commanders representing the division in the NFC playoff picture after they improved to 5-2 with a Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers.

And the NFC West certainly isn't short on shocking developments right now, either. The San Francisco 49ers were essentially a lock to win the division, but after taking a loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion and still-undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, they're now 3-4 and sit in third place behind the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) and Arizona Cardinals (3-4).

As the Cowboys were on a bye in Week 7, which couldn't have come at a better time following their embarrassing 47-6 loss to the Lions, their 3-3 record also puts them ahead of the Niners as these two teams prepare to renew their classic rivalry this Sunday night in Santa Clara.

While there's still plenty of football to be played, this truly feels like a must-win game for both, with the halfway point of this wild regular season rapidly approaching.

Updated NFC playoff picture and standings heading into Week 8

Here's a look at the seven teams that make up the NFC side of the postseason bracket following the results in Week 7.

1. Detroit Lions (5-1, 1st NFC North)
2. Washington Commanders (5-2, 1st NFC East)
3. Seattle Seahawks (4-3, 1st NFC West)
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-3, 1st NFC South)
5. Minnesota Vikings (5-1, 2nd NFC North)
6. Green Bay Packers (5-2, 3rd NFC North)
7. Chicago Bears (4-2, 4th NFC North)

As they were a week ago, the Cowboys are sitting in the No. 10 slot.

The Eagles, who improved to 4-2 with an easy win over the New York Giants in Week 7, sit two spots ahead of America's Team at No. 8, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, are currently the ninth seed at 4-3.

The 49ers were just one spot behind the Cowboys but fell to No. 12 after the Cardinals bested the LA Chargers to close the Week 7 slate. Despite the lower seed at the moment, however, San Francisco has still been given better odds to make the playoffs by NFL.com at 50%. The playoff probability for Dallas heading into Week 8 is 33%.

Again, this feels like a must-win for both, especially seeing as how a head-to-head tiebreaker may come into play down the line if the two teams are competing for one of the three wild-card spots.

For the Cowboys, this is just the first game in a tough five-week stretch. After the Niners, they'll remain on the road and will visit Atlanta to take on the first-place Falcons. Two consecutive home games follow with a Week 10 battle with the Eagles and an in-state rivalry matchup with first-place Houston Texans in Week 11. Dallas will then hit the road in Week 12 to take on the first-place Commanders.

Yeah, we'll say it a third time; this is a must-win for the Dallas Cowboys.

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