After sticking behind Kirk Cousins for most of the season, Michael Penix Jr. took the starting spot and made a show of it. In his final three games of the season, Penix completed 58 passes for 737 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown.

The Detroit Lions are the team to beat in the NFC, but this conference's wild-card teams put up more fight than their AFC counterparts.

Here's who NFC teams want to see—and don't want to see—for their best chance at lifting the Lombardi Trophy next month.

And while the current NFL playoff picture is pretty clear in AFC (six of the seven teams have clinched spots) and the NFC (one spot is available), that means there are still squads that are very much alive heading into the final week of regular-season action.

Philadelphia and Green Bay started 2-2. Following the bye, the Eagles won 12 of their final 13 games, while the Packers won nine of their final 13 games. Green Bay overcame quarterback injuries and drastically improved on defense. Philadelphia rode the dynamic wave of Saquon Barkley and emerged as one of the best defenses in football.

While the regular season suggests a Detroit Lions-Kansas City Chiefs clash for Super Bowl 59, everyone is vulnerable -- especially in a league where a dozen teams have to fight their way up from the Wild Card round.