Saints And The Playoff Picture Entering Week 15

The NFC Playoff Picture is intensifying, and the Saints are just going to have to win out to ensure they're playing in a Wild Card game.

The NFL Playoff race is intensifying. With four games left to go, each game means a lot more to those looking to get into the postseason. For the Saints, there was no change for them this week after seeing everything play out, as expected. New Orleans is currently in a three-way tie for the NFC South, but they are third in the division. Here's how the latest NFC Playoff Picture looks entering Week 15.

NFC Playoff Picture Going Into Week 15

Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) pushes New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) out of bounds on a pass play during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) pushes New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) out of bounds on a pass play during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

1. 49ers (10-3)
2. Cowboys (10-3)
3. Lions (9-4)
4. Bucs (6-7)
5. Eagles (10-3)
6. Vikings (7-6)
7. Packers (6-7)

The 49ers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot after Sunday. A little shakeup in the NFC East saw the Cowboys overtake the Eagles. The Bucs pole-vaulted the Falcons after beating them on Sunday. The Packers losing actually did some teams some favors.

In The Hunt

• Rams (6-7)
• Seahawks (6-7)
• Falcons (6-7)
• Saints (6-7)
• Giants (5-8)
• Bears (5-8)

Wins by the Giants and Bears put them back in the hunt after essentially being out of the mix. The Rams, Seahawks, and Falcons all lost. The two Wild Card spots are very much in play for these 'In The Hunt' teams. 

Needs A Ton of Help

• Commanders (4-9)
• Cardinals (3-10)

Eliminated

• Panthers (1-11)

NFC South Focus

All game action will go down in the early kickoffs for Week 15. The Falcons play the Panthers in Charlotte while the Packers host the Bucs. New Orleans needs to win to at least keep pace with Atlanta, but if Carolina and Green Bay could pull off an upset, that would be something. The Giants are absolutely not a team the Saints can sleep on.