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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

2 significant spots left in NFC playoff picture to determine in Week 18

The Arizona Cardinals will not be in the playoffs. They were eliminated from contention in Week 16. But fans will watch the playoff picture play out in the NFC.

In Week 18, two spots are still up for grabs.

The No. 1 seed has not been determined and winner of the NFC North. The NFC South has not been determined.

So what are the playoff scenarios for Week 18?

NFC playoff scenarios in Week 18

Teams clinched

  • Detroit Lions
  • Philadelphia Eagles, NFC East title, No. 2 seed
  • Los Angeles Rams, NFC West title
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Washington Commanders

NFC North and No. 1 seed

The NFC North title and No. 1 seed will be determined Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings play the Detroit Lions on the road.

The Lions will clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed and first-round bye with a win over the Vikings or a tie.

The Vikings will win the division, get the top seed and first-round bye with a win.

NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) and Atlanta Falcons (8-8) are in contention.

The Bucs will clinch the division title with either a win or tie against the 5-11 New Orleans Saints or if the Falcons lose or tie against the 4-12 Carolina Panthers.

The Falcons will win the division and clinch the No. 4 seed if they beat the Panthers and the Bucs lose to the Saints.

No. 3 seed

The Rams have won the NFC West but could be the No. 3 or No. 4 seed. They will be the No. 3 seed if they beat the 9-7 Seattle Seahawks.

If they lose, they will finish at No. 3 in the conference if the Falcons win the NFC South. If the Bucs beat the Saints and Rams lose to Seattle, Tampa will be No. 3 and the Rams drop to No. 4.

No. 6-7 seeds

The Commanders and Packers are both 11-5. Week 18 will determine which team will be the No. 6 seed or No. 7 seed.

Washington is on the road against the 7-9 Dallas Cowboys. The Packers play the 4-12 Chicago Bears at home.

If both the Commanders and Packers win, lose, Washington will be No. 6 and Green Bay will be No. 7.

If the Packers win and Commanders lose or tie, of if they tie and Washington loses, Green Bay gets the No. 6 seed.

The Commanders clinch the No. 6 seed if they beat the Cowboys or if the Packers lose.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

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