NFL standings 2016: Lions jump Seahawks for the No. 2 seed in NFC

The Dallas Cowboys are the only team to clinch a playoff spot so far this season, but they came up short of securing an NFC East title in Week 14. They snapped an 11-game winning streak in Week 14 with a 10-7 loss to the New York Giants. Dallas, which dropped to 11-2, has been beaten twice by the Giants this season.

In Tampa, the Buccaneers added to their increasingly impressive resume and established themselves as a presence in the playoff race. The Bucs (8-5) defeated the Saints (5-8), holding one of the NFL’s top offenses to just 11 points. Tampa Bay, which has now won five consecutive games, has victories over Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, and Seattle.

Yet the Bucs are only the No. 6 seed and despite having the same record as the Falcons (8-5), who sit atop the NFC South. Tampa still has rematches with New Orleans and Carolina left on the schedule, plus a trip to Dallas next week, so its road to the postseason certainly isn’t smooth, but the Bucs have proven they can’t be overlooked.

Atlanta, which thoroughly demolished the Rams 42-14 in Los Angeles on Sunday, has a much easier road to the division title with the 49ers, Panthers and Saints left on its slate.

The other two divisions are quickly becoming one-team races to the playoffs.

In the NFC North, the Lions (9-4) rallied to get past the Bears (3-10) at home and jumped up to the No. 2 spot in the conference. The competitiveness in Detroit against a broken franchise may only be the second-most concerning thing to come out of that matchup. Quarterback Matt Stafford reportedly has a dislocated finger and torn ligaments on his throwing hand.

Despite the injury, Stafford finished his day 21 of 35 for 233 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. With two road games against the Giants and Cowboys up next — and a home game against the Packers in Week 17 — Detroit is going to have to hope Stafford can fight through his injury and stay efficient down the stretch.

The Vikings (7-6) and Packers will have a lot of ground to make up if they hope to catch the Lions in the North, and even though Minnesota struggled against the Jaguars on Sunday, they have a favorable final three games with the Colts, Packers and Bears remaining. Green Bay will have to face the Bears and Lions on the road with a home game against the Vikings breaking up the two away matchups.

Out in the NFC West, the Seahawks (8-4-1) have put together a three-game lead on the Cardinals even with both teams falling on the road this week. Seattle struggled in Green Bay, scoring just 10 points, while Arizona lost 26-23 to a contending Miami team.

The Seahawks still have a chance of retaking the second seed from the Lions. They will only play games against their division in the final three weeks, and none of their remaining opponents have a winning record.

Just outside: Washington (7-5-1), Minnesota Vikings (7-6), Green Bay Packers (7-6), Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1)