Welcome back to another edition of my NFL Power Rankings. With wins and losses starting to add up and playoff races starting to come into focus, it feels like a good time to really break down each conference with a little more nuance than I would with my typical 32-team pecking order.

Last week we took a look at the AFC pecking order through Week 10. In this week’s breakdown, we’ll focus in on the National Football Conference, where 3-4 teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack while a deep middle class fights for the rights to join the playoff race by season’s end.

So where does each NFC squad stand in the fight for playoff survival? We’ll attempt to answer that and more on this NFC Deep Dive edition of the Power Rankings. Let’s get into it!

Note: the rankings below are my own and not a reflection of the true conference standings through Week 11.

1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Total: 9-1 | Conf: 6-0 | Div: 3-0

SUPER BOWL CONTENDER. The Eagles slayed their dragon by knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night, and they’re winning games by just being more talented than their opponents. The crazy thing is that this team isn’t as good as last year’s Super Bowl runner up, but they may actually have a better chance of winning it all this year because the rest of the league has just as many if not more issues than they do.

2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Total: 7-3 | Conf: 5-1 | Div: 2-0

SUPER BOWL CONTENDER. Outside of a disturbing 3-game losing streak where the QB seemed overwhelmed and the defense forgot how dominant it should be, the Niners would also have a claim to the top spot on this list. When they’ve won, they’ve dominated and Brock Purdy has looked like one of the best QBs in the game. This is a team you don’t want to play. Surprisingly, the lynchpin seems to be WR Deebo Samuel, who’s absence coincided with the team’s downtick in performance. Keep him healthy.

3. DETROIT LIONS

Total: 8-2 | Conf: 5-1 | Div: 2-0

SUPER BOWL CONTENDER. The Lions have proven the doubters wrong and doubled down on a strong finish to last season by operating as one of the best overall teams in football. Between a highly efficient offense and an opportunistic defense, Detroit is putting together complete team efforts every week and it’s turning into big wins and a big season for a franchise desperate for a true contender.

4. DALLAS COWBOYS

Total: 7-3 | Conf: 4-3 | Div: 2-1

SUPER BOWL CONTENDER. My preseason Super Bowl pick has had some up and down moments this season, but they boast one of the best offenses in the NFL and QB Dak Prescott has been playing explosive and efficient, mistake free football over the last 4-5 weeks. If the defense continues to take the ball away and create havoc up front, this team is still easily one of the best in the NFL.

5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Total: 6-4 | Conf: 5-2 | Div: 1-2

PLAYOFF TEAM. There is a massive drop off after the first four teams on this list, with Seattle basically settling in as the best of the rest. This team has major holes, specifically along the middle of the defense and on the offensive side of the ball where Geno Smith and company lack the explosiveness they often displayed last year in a surprise playoff run.

6. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Total: 6-5 | Conf: 6-2 | Div: 2-3

PLAYOFF TEAM. The Vikings are a great story, with Josh Dobbs coming in and proving to be a more-than-capable replacement for the injured Kirk Cousins. The return of Justin Jefferson will also boost an offense that’s already playing well, and leading the way for a well-balanced team on both sides of the football. Brian Flores’ defense has been playing well above expectation as well. This is a playoff-caliber team, and would be a tough out for any of the real Super Bowl contenders to face.

7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Total: 4-6 | Conf: 3-4 | Div: 1-1

PRETENDER. I’m sorry, but the Buccaneers could win their division and make the playoffs pretty easily with their remaining schedule, but this team is not for real. While Baker Mayfield has continuously defied expectations as the Buccaneer’s bridge QB, the defense lacks the big-time playmakers to stop any semi-potent passing attack. They might be the best team in the NFC South, but they’re just not a real threat come playoff time.

8. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Total: 5-5 | Conf: 2-3 | Div: 1-1

PRETENDER. The Saints have a good, not great, defense, and a good, not great, offense. They are quite literally mediocrity defined, as evidenced by their 5-5 record. They’re still definitively in the playoff race since their division is just as mediocre as they are (or worse), and the schedule is favorable.

9. ATLANTA FALCONS

Total: 4-6 | Conf: 3-4 | Div: 2-0

PRETENDER. The Falcons had a lot of people believing this offseason that they could be for real with an explosive running game leading the way and a scrappy defense keeping them in games while their young QB figured things out. The problem for Atlanta is that they simply refuse to feature their best weapons on offense and they just don’t know how to finish games. It’s been a frustrating 3rd year for coach Arthur Smith, and even if the Falcons pull it together enough to win the division or steal a Wild Card spot, they can’t be trusted to really contend.

10. LOS ANGELES RAMS

Total: 4-6 | Conf: 3-4 | Div: 3-1

PRETENDER. The “Fighting Sean McVays” have a strong offense when Matt Stafford is healthy, and a feisty enough defense to make a run at the playoffs. The unfortunate thing for the Rams is that they lack truly elite talent outside on both sides of the ball right now, and it limits their ceiling. Could they make the playoffs as a Wild Card team? Sure. Would they scare anybody other than Seattle? Not really…

11. GREEN BAY PACKERS

Total: 4-6 | Conf: 3-3 | Div: 1-2

NOT A THREAT. I get that the Packers just beat a talented Chargers team that seems to be constantly searching for itself, but that doesn’t outweigh their overall struggles on both sides of the ball. The defense just cannot consistently defend the run, and QB Jordan Love’s accuracy struggles can absolutely cripple the offense for stretches. In a different universe, Love picks up where Aaron Rodgers left off and this team is an interesting player in the NFC playoff picture. Not in this universe, unfortunately.

12. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Total: 4-7 | Conf: 2-6 | Div: 0-4

NOT A THREAT. I’ve been a vocal advocate for QB Sam Howell, who has had some really impressive moments this season as a first year starter and a 5th Round pick just last year. He has his limitations, though. One of them being a propensity for turning the ball over in big moments. His trajectory is enticing though, and for a team that probably will move on from it’s head coach and front office after this season, at least they can feel like they have something to build off of at QB.

13. CHICAGO BEARS

Total: 3-8 | Conf: 2-5 | Div: 0-3

NOT A THREAT. Justin Fields has looked impressive for large portions of the 2023 season, but also has those head-scratching performances that leave Bears fans and viewers wanting more from the dynamic passer. The Bears are in the enviable predicament of owning multiple high projected First Round picks while owning the rights to a high-upside, young QB. While this season maybe a lost cause for contention, it may prove to be the leadup to a franchise-altering offseason, no matter if they choose to draft a top-tier QB and trade Fields, or keep Fields and load up on high-pedigree support talent in the draft and free agency.

14. ARIZONA CARDINALS

Total: 2-9 | Conf: 2-5 | Div: 0-3

NOT A THREAT. The Cardinals are probably the scrappiest 2-9 team in the history of football, but they just can’t seem to close out close games and get “W”s. One thing is for sure, Kyler Murray is still a really good QB and will either be fantastic trade bait this coming offseason, or a franchise QB building block for a team with multiple first round picks to add to the flock in April.

15. NEW YORK GIANTS

Total: 3-8 | Conf: 3-4 | Div: 2-2

DUMPSTER FIRE. Tommy Devito has surprised in his two starts for the Giants, but every level of the team has issues that need to be addressed this offseason. The big cloud hanging over the franchise though is their horrible decision to pay big bucks to Daniel Jones after last year. The financial issues to come could cripple the organization for years, because one thing is clear: Jones isn’t the guy and this roster needs an overhaul.

16. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Total: 1-9 | Conf: 0-7 | Div: 0-2

DUMPSTER FIRE. I was not a big fan of Bryce Young coming out of college, and the reasons why are obvious after 10 games. He can’t see the field and doesn’t have the athletic ability to make up for his lack of stature. Meanwhile, the coaching staff is under fire for not developing the Rookie first overall pick fast enough for ownership, and they are losing games at a historic pace for the franchise. Frank Reich is in a tough position, and there does not seem to be a painless end in sight for this season.

Where does your team stand in the Week 12 NFC Power Rankings? Who’s too high? Too low? Let me hear it in the comments section. Be sure to stay tuned to the Fans First Sports Network for all your NFL news and notes.