The NFC playoff race continues to be red-hot. The top of the conference remains set with the Los Angeles Rams, and the Rams clinched the conference’s first official playoff berth.
Things in the NFC South got dicey, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still are in the division lead, while the NFC West still has three teams in the playoff picture, all of whom have at least 10 wins.
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NFC playoff picture entering Week 16
Los Angeles Rams, 11-3 (6-3 conference)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-7 (5-5 conference)
San Francisco 49ers, 10-4 (8-2 conference)
The Lions (8-6) and Carolina Panthers (7-7) are in the mix.
The Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from contention.
Week 15 results
The Rams beat the Lions 41-34 behind Matthew Stafford’s three touchdown passes.
The Bucs lost 31-29 to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
The 49ers never trailed in a 37-24 win over the two-win Tennessee Titans. Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes.
The Packers lost 34-26 to the Denver Broncos and lost pass rusher Micah Parsons to a torn ACL.
The Panthers, with a chance to take the NFC South lead, lost 20-17 to the New Orleans Saints.
Week 16 games impacting the NFC playoff race
The Rams play the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday.
The Bears and Packers play in Chicago.
The Bucs and Panthers play in Carolina.
The Lions host the 8-6 Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 49ers play the Colts in Indy on Monday night.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFC playoff picture: LA Rams clinch playoff berth