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The NFL season reaches its unofficial midway point this weekend, with teams hoping to stay relevant for the final two months facing a shrinking margin for error. No division is more competitive than the NFC North, where the last-place 5-3 Packers currently hold a playoff spot as the NFC North contends for a historic four playoff berths.
Packers at Patriots
CBS Sports Headlines reported that the Packers and Patriots would both make the playoffs as No. 7 seeds if the season started today. As quarterbacks Jordan Love and Drake Maye face off, the Patriots face a daunting upcoming schedule while the Packers look to build momentum.
Rams at Commanders
The 4-4 Rams risk falling below .500 in what would be a significant setback for the preseason Super Bowl favorites, while the Commanders seek a boost to their postseason hopes in the NFC East.
Buccaneers at Bears
The Bears enter primetime aiming for their fourth straight win to reach 7-2 following a statement blowout against the Seahawks. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have rebounded from an 0-4 start by winning three of their last four games, positioning themselves as contenders in the NFC South.
Cardinals at Seahawks
The 4-4 Seahawks face a damaging blow if they stumble against the Cardinals, who are eager to play spoiler following a comeback victory over the Cowboys led by Gardner Minshew.
Bengals at Falcons in Spain
The NFL international series continues as the Bengals look to maintain pace in the AFC North and the Falcons attempt to bounce back and stay competitive within the tight NFC South race.
These five matchups will significantly shift the playoff probabilities as computed by SportsLine projections entering the second half of the regular season.
