"NFC Playoff Preview: Fly High Or Be Grounded"

After seventeen regular season games, four division winners, three wild
card teams; a quest to hoist the Lombardi Trophy starts. We've reached
the 2025-26 NFL playoffs and a flight en route to Super Bowl 60 soars
through Seattle, Washington. If your team made fought their way to the
playoffs, congratulations. Teams who didn't make it... Well, there's
always next year right? Let's get this playoff party started.

1. Seattle Seahawks: 14-3 (NFC West Winner)
After a gruesome gauntlet of playing elite football, Seattle earned the
number one seed with home field advantage. Quarterback Sam Darnold
in his first season under center has been everything envisioned for
Seattle. The revival and resurrection of Darnold's career has given fans
hopes of winning another Super Bowl. A division which sent three teams
in LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers, Seattle stayed the course and
took the crown. A very scary defense who flexed their muscles, it'll be
their biggest strength.

2. Chicago Bears: 11-6 (NFC North Winner)
Postseason football is back in Chicago; as the Bears win a very
competitive division where all the teams finished with a winning record.
First year head coach Ben Johnson has turned Chicago into believers of
being among the best teams. Second year quarterback Caleb Williams
will make his postseason debut this weekend; in what should be
interesting. The biggest flaw for Chicago is their passing attack and
could be heavily tested against Green Bay's defense. This Bears
defense should feast and maul a mangled Packers offense which has
dwindled the last few weeks. Division rivals who know each other well in
a cold weather affair from Soldier Field.

3. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6 (NFC East Winner)
One of the more struggling defending Super Bowl Champions in recent
memory, Philadelphia's quest for a repeat will come with extensive
challenges. Not the same potent offense from 2024, it's been a power
struggle. Ranging from wide receiver AJ Brown's subliminal dialogue on
social media to the offensive play calling, the Eagles showed cracks in
the foundation. It's no secret this team has under performed and will be
their undoing. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has faced harsh criticism from
Philadelphia media, national sports shows and still managed to stay
grounded. A defense who can keep it within reach, but can the offense
take it another flight?

4. Carolina Panthers: 8-9 (NFC South Winner)
Back in the postseason since 2017, and their first NFC division in a
decade, Carolina mauled their way through a horrible; yet unpredictable
playoff spot. A slow start to their season, staying the course and winning
ugly would define their season. Third year quarterback Bryce Young will
make his playoff debut in hopes of an upset over the LA Rams. A lot to
like on offense, middle of the pack on defense. For Carolina it's simple:
start fast and score in the red zone. Are we expecting a legacy
performance from Young? Not quite, but to be fair he's understanding
the game better than in year three versus rookie year. The weather
favors Carolina; along with the eastern time zone.

5. Los Ángeles Rams: 12-5 ( @ Carolina)
LA had every chance to win the gauntlet of their division but a loss to
Seattle hurt any home field advantage. A team that maintained winning
and playing a degree of difficult schedule. Quarterback Matthew
Stafford has played the best football of his career and looking to take
one last run for another Super Bowl. Wide receiver Devante Adams is
ready to go after missing the last few regular season games with a
hamstring injury. Puca Nacua should be on his best behavior and take a

greater role. A stout defense and elite play calling make for tough
matchups.

6. San Francisco 49ers: 12-5 ( @ Philadelphia)
Injuries across the board, gauntlet NFC West division, multiple line-ups
and still finish 12-5. San Francisco has overachieved in 2025 without
question. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh have worked
wonders with this roster after a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024. Even
with a healthy CMC, this offense has ran up the scoring and played
about as good you'd want. Even with a blunder in week eighteen,
there's some concerns if the Niners can keep pace with Philadelphia. A
big obstacle ahead of them: quarterback Brock Purdy playing flawless
without making crucial mistakes. This defense will do all they can, but
it'll be the offense which can make or break. Cold weather, a cross
country flight and what's left of a ravaged roster.

7. Green Bay Packers: 9-7-1 ( @ Chicago)
Hot start and Super Bowl expectations were on Green Bay's minds
early on. Trading for Micah Parsons made headlines before week one
and took flight as the Packers looked great. Young team and find
themselves the seventh seed for a third straight year will try to upset
their division rival on Saturday evening. Resting all their starters without
Parsons, who's out with an ACL injury; this will be a make or break
game for head coach Matt LeFluer. Considering how the team looked
early on and how they finished down the stretch. Questionable play
calling had fans calling for his job. This matchup will come down to the
young quarterback in Jordan Love. Can he overcome adversity and lead
Green Bay to another upset? With the defense having its share of
issues, Love will need to play the best game ever.

Be on the lookout for my AFC playoff preview article as well! Good luck
to all the teams!