When the Minnesota Vikings traded for Kirk Cousins before the 2026 NFL trade deadline, it marked bad news for former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, as detailed by The Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman.

But it also wasn't good news for a couple of Arizona Cardinals rivals in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.

If the NFL playoffs were to begin today, Nov. 11, the Vikings' division, the NFC North, would have all four teams in the postseason, something that has not happened since the league began its current alignment with eight divisions and four teams per division in 2002.

The Chicago Bears lead the NFC North at 7-2 and would be the No. 2 seed in the NFC postseason right now. The 6-2 Detroit Lions would be the No. 5 seed, while the 6-2 Vikings would land the No. 6 seed. The Green Bay Packers, at 6-3, would be the No. 7 and final seed in the NFC postseason.

The 5-4 Seahawks and 5-4 Rams would miss the postseason, with Seattle currently in the No. 8 NFC position and Los Angeles at No. 9.

Could all four NFC North teams really make the NFL playoffs?

The four division winners are guaranteed playoff berths in each conference, with the final three wild-card berths going to the three non-division winners with the best records, making it possible for all four NFC North teams to make the NFL playoffs.

USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis detailed why the Cousins trade to the Vikings could hurt the Seahawks and Rams, who trail the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.

He wrote: "With the Vikings shored up by the Cousins acquisition, the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks and presumed 2026 champion Los Angeles Rams – both are currently 5-4, which is worse than the Green Bay Packers (6-3), last-place residents in the NFC North – can no longer bank on Minnesota’s downward trajectory continuing. And, yes, while NFC North teams could attrit themselves to a degree in the latter part of the regular season, so will the Seahawks and Rams, who better get hot fast given all three of the conference’s wild-card slots are currently projected to go to the NFC North."

NFL playoff probabilities for NFC postseason contenders

NFL.com lists the playoff probabilities for each NFC North and NFC West playoff contender.

It has the 49ers at 94% to make the postseason as the current No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Bears are at 84%, while the Lions are at 83%, the Vikings are at 74% and the Packers are at 63%.

The Seahawks are currently given a 49% shot at making the playoffs, with the Rams at 45%.

Will NFC West teams get a boost from schedule in NFL playoff race?

One might think that the Seahawks and Rams could have a big scheduling advantage with the NFC North teams set to battle each other throughout the rest of the season, but Seattle and Los Angeles also have difficult roads to the postseason, and they are currently at least a game behind every NFC North team in the postseason race.

Among the Vikings' remaining games? The Packers, 49ers, Patriots, Lions and Bears.

The Packers still have to face the Vikings, Rams, Bills, Bears and Lions, while the Lions have the Patriots, Bears (twice), Vikings and Packers among the games left on their schedule.

The Bears still face the Lions (twice), Jaguars, Bills, Packers and Vikings.

The Seahawks' remaining opponents include the 49ers, Giants and Rams (twice).

The Rams still have to play the Packers, Chiefs, 49ers and Seahawks (twice).

If the Seahawks or Rams continue to stay around .500, there's a very real chance the NFC North could end up with all four teams in the NFL playoffs this season.

Have plenty of popcorn ready. The NFC playoff race could be very entertaining.