Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images An updated look at the NFC playoff standings, and how strong of a lead the Detroit Lions have. The Detroit Lions moved to 7-1 on Sunday, and in the process of doing so, created some breathing room atop both the division and conference. Now, they still have a couple teams nipping at their heels, but it’s clear the Lions belong amongst the rarified few in the NFC, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Here’s a look at the updated NFC playoff standings through Week 9 (“Monday NIght Football” between the Chiefs and Buccaneers still pending) NFC North standings: Detroit Lions: 7-1 Minnesota Vikings: 6-2 Green Bay Packers: 6-3 Chicago Bears: 4-4 With the Lions victory over the Packers, they now have two fewer losses than Green Bay plus the temporary head-to-head tiebreaker. And while the Vikings got back on the winning side against the Colts, they remain a full game back—with Detroit also having the head-to-head tiebreaker over them. The Bears seem to be crashing down toward reality. As I pointed out going into the week, Chicago had the easiest schedule thus far (per DVOA), but they’d be facing the toughest schedule remaining of all NFL teams. That second-half schedule didn’t get off to a good start, as they Arizona Cardinals waxed them 29-9. Chicago has yet to win a road game, and they’ve yet to face an NFC North foe. Things could get ugly in a hurry. While they have the Patriots next week, after that, it’s the Packers, Vikings, Lions, 49ers, Vikings, Lions, Seahawks, Packers. Good luck. NFC playoff picture Division leaders Lions: 7-1 Commanders: 7-2 Falcons: 6-3 Cardinals: 5-4 Each division winner won in Week 9, which means this could be a tight race for the No. 1 seed in the conference. The Commanders, in particular, seem to be Detroit’s biggest thread. That said, their schedule as of late has been pretty easy (Panthers, Bears, Giants the last three weeks). They had some early defensive issues, so let’s see how they handle the Steelers and Eagles in the next two games. Wild Card leaders: 5. Vikings: 6-26. Eagles: 6-27. Packers: 6-3 Three NFC North teams are still currently in the playoff picture, and all three of these teams are still very much in the conversation to win their respective division. The Eagles suddenly look dangerous, as they’ve won four in a row, including a dominant win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. That said, they nearly blew a 22-point lead against the Jaguars. In the hunt: 8. Buccaneers: 4-49. Bears: 4-410. Rams: 4-4 11. 49ers: 4-412. Seahawks: 4-5 There are clearly some stock up, stock down teams in this group. The Rams have rattled off three wins in a row and are within striking distance of the division-leading Cardinals. Now that they’re finally healthy, they look like they could be a legitimate threat in the playoffs. The 49ers, too, are getting healthier and better. This was their bye week, so I’m sure they were okay with getting some rest to their battered roster. That said, things are trending in the wrong direction for the Bears and Seahawks. Chicago has scored just 23 points in their last two games, and they’ve got the aforementioned brutal schedule. The Seahawks have lost five of their last six games and are now 0-2 in their division. Their season is quickly slipping away. Mock draft season 13. Cowboys: 3-514. Panthers: 2-7 15. Saints: 2-716. Giants: 2-7 Maybe it’s premature to put the Cowboys in this section, but it sure is hard to find any silver lining in their three-game losing streak. With the Eagles, Texans, and Commanders up next, it doesn’t get any easier of this very flawed Dallas team. Hey, remember when the Saints were 2-0? That was crazy.