One year ago, it was clear: The San Francisco 49ers were the best team in the NFC. The 49ers rode a 13-3 record into the playoffs as the top seed and demoralized the Packers in the NFC Championship game.
One year later, the answer to the question is not as clear.
After the first quarter of the season, the 4 and 0 Green Bay Packers were the answer. Green Bay outscored its opponents by a combined score of 152-101 and appeared unstoppable on offense.
The Packers momentum came to an abrupt halt in a 38-10 loss to Tom Brady in week 5. Suddenly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the team to beat, with the Seattle Seahawks also part of the discussion.
The Buccaneers quickly fell out of favor following a 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints in week 9. The Bucs would lose three games in a four game stretch. The Seahawks also lost three of four around that time allowing the Rams to take the lead in the NFC West.
As the Bucs and Seahawks tumbled back to Earth, the Saints clicked off nine wins in a row. A streak that ended Sunday against the sub-500 Eagles in Philadelphia.
Week 15 of the NFL season is upon us. Common traits among division-leading teams and those in wild card position are impressive wins and head-scratching losses.
Unlike the dominant 49ers of 2019-2020, the best team in the NFC this season varies from week-to-week.
