Analysts Pick Rams, Seahawks for NFC's No. 1 Seed at 12-5

8 articles · Updated · NFL.com · May 20

Ali and Tom split on the NFC’s top seed after the 2026 schedule release, with Ali projecting the Rams at 12-5 and Tom backing the Seahawks at 12-5.
Their playoff fields overlap on four teams—Rams, Seahawks, 49ers and Eagles—but diverge on division winners and wild cards, with Tom putting the Bears at 11-6 atop the North and the Panthers at 9-8 atop the South.
Dallas is one of the sharpest disagreements: Ali has the Cowboys winning the NFC East at 11-6, while Tom leaves them out at 9-8; both analysts also miss on Washington and the Giants.
The Bears are the clearest consensus riser, making the playoffs in both projections, while the 49ers also land in both brackets despite tougher travel and schedule concerns.
The NFC forecast follows a separate AFC projection published minutes earlier, extending the full-league exercise of game-by-game record and playoff predictions months before Week 1.

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