As the NFL enters Week 13, there are 19 teams either in or within one game of first place in their divisions, the most at this point of a season in league history. And, for the first time, all eight divisions have at least two teams either in or within one game of first place through the first 12 weeks.
Eleven NFC teams are within one game of first place in their divisions and/or within one game of .500 entering the final five weeks of the season. The Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints have the toughest remaining schedules among those clubs, facing opponents with a combined 31-24 (.564) mark.
The remaining strength of schedule for the 11 NFC teams within one game of first place and/or one game of .500 :
NFC EAST
TEAM
PHILADELPHIA (7-4)
NEW YORK GIANTS (7-4)
WASHINGTON (5-6)
OPP. RECORD
22-33 (.400)
28-27 (.509)
30-25 (.545)
WEEK 13
Houston (5-6)
Washington (5-6)
at New York Giants (7-4)
WEEK 14
at Dallas (3-8)
at Minnesota (4-7)
Tampa Bay (7-4)
WEEK 15
at New York Giants (7-4)
Philadelphia (7-4)
at Dallas (3-8)
WEEK 16
Minnesota (4-7)
at Green Bay (7-4)
at Jacksonville (6-5)
WEEK 17
Dallas (3-8)
at Washington (5-6)
New York Giants (7-4)
NFC NORTH
TEAM
CHICAGO (8-3)
GREEN BAY (7-4)
OPP. RECORD
31-24 (.564)
30-25 (.545)
WEEK 13
at Detroit (2-9)
San Francisco (4-7)
WEEK 14
New England (9-2)
at Detroit (2-9)
WEEK 15
at Minnesota (4-7)
at New England (9-2)
WEEK 16
New York Jets (9-2)
New York Giants (7-4)
WEEK 17
at Green Bay (7-4)
Chicago (8-3)
NFC SOUTH
TEAM
ATLANTA (9-2)
NEW ORLEANS (8-3)
TAMPA BAY (7-4)
OPP. RECORD
22-33 (.400)
31-24 (.564)
29-26 (.527)
WEEK 13
at Tampa Bay (7-4)
at Cincinnati (2-9)
Atlanta (9-2)
WEEK 14
at Carolina (1-10)
St. Louis (5-6)
at Washington (5-6)
WEEK 15
at Seattle (5-6)
at Baltimore (8-3)
Detroit (2-9)
WEEK 16
New Orleans (8-3)
at Atlanta (9-2)
Seattle (5-6)
WEEK 17
Carolina (1-10)
Tampa Bay (7-4)
at New Orleans (8-3)
NFC WEST
TEAM
ST. LOUIS (5-6)
SEATTLE (5-6)
SAN FRANCISCO (4-7)
OPP. RECORD
27-28 (.491)
26-29 (.473)
26-29 (.473)
WEEK 13
at Arizona (3-8)
Carolina (1-10)
at Green Bay (7-4)
WEEK 14
at New Orleans (8-3)
at San Francisco (4-7)
Seattle (5-6)
WEEK 15
Kansas City (7-4)
Atlanta (9-2)
at San Diego (6-5)
WEEK 16
San Francisco (4-7)
at Tampa Bay (7-4)
at St. Louis (5-6)
WEEK 17
at Seattle (5-6)
St. Louis (5-6)
Arizona (3-8)