NFL Standings 2020: Bears, Cowboys Not In Playoff Picture As Seahawks, Buccaneers Lead NFC

Halfway through the 2020 NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks (6-1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) have separated themselves as the top NFC contenders. Seattle has the best record in the conference entering Week 9, while Tampa Bay might be the most complete team in the league.

The Seahawks are atop a competitive NFC West on the strength of the NFL’s No.1 scoring offense. Seattle is putting up 34.3 points per game, led by MVP favorite Russell Wilson. Wilson is first among all quarterbacks with a 120.7 passer rating and 26 passing touchdowns.

The Arizona Cardinals (5-2) and Los Angeles Rams (5-3) would both be in the playoffs as wild-card teams from the NFC West if the postseason started in Week 9.

Tom Brady might be a dark-horse MVP candidate in his first season with Tampa Bay. The six-time Super Bowl champion has 20 touchdown passes and four interceptions.

Even with the greatest quarterback of all-time at the helm, the Buccaneers’ defense might be their strength. Tampa Bay ranks third in total yards allowed.

Sunday night’s game in Tampa Bay will go a long way in determining the NFC South winner. The Buccaneers will host the New Orleans Saints (5-2), who are a half-game out of first place. The Saints have won three straight division titles and own the No.5 seed in the latest playoff picture.

The Green Bay Packers (5-2) are the conference’s No.3 seed after being upset by the Minnesota Vikings (2-5). The Chicago Bears (5-3) are a half-game behind Green Bay for first place in the NFC North. Chicago’s Week 8 loss knocked it out of the current playoff picture.

The Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1) have created some distance between themselves and the rest of the NFL’s worst division. By defeating the Dallas Cowboys (2-6) in Week 8, Philadelphia kept sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

The Washington Football Team (2-5) is somehow only a game behind Philadelphia. The New York Giants (1-7) sit alone at the bottom of the NFC standings.