Lack of Progress in Postseason Race
Not much changed in the NFC playoff picture in Week 16. No team clinched a playoff berth, leaving three spots open.
The NFC South remains close at the top as the Carolina Panthers are keeping pace with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Plus, nearly every team battling for the final two Wild Card spots lost. The Green Bay Packers were the only team to increase their chances with a win.
Here’s where each NFC team in the playoff race stands ahead of the final two weeks of the regular season.
Playoff Standings
1. Eagles (13-2) – Clinched Playoff Spot
The Philadelphia Eagles could not clinch the NFC East or the No. 1 seed in Week 16. The 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys does not hurt the Eagles too much. With one more win, Philadelphia will clinch its division and the NFC’s top seed, since the Eagles hold a tiebreaker over the Minnesota Vikings.
Philly remains the favorite to come out of the NFC with +170 odds to win the conference.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. New Orleans Saints
- Week 18 vs. New York Giants
2. Vikings (12-3) – Clinched Division
Week 16’s win over the New York Giants keeps the Minnesota Vikings alive for the No. 1 seed. Due to a head-to-head loss, the Vikings do not hold a tiebreaker over the Eagles. To secure the top seed, Minnesota must win out while the Eagles lose out.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 at Green Bay Packers
- Week 18 at Chicago Bears
3. 49ers (11-4) – Clinched Division
The San Francisco 49ers extended the NFL’s longest winning streak to eight. They remain alive for the No. 1 seed. First, the 49ers must win out, the Eagles must lose out and the Vikings need to lose once.
Passing the Vikings for the No. 2 seed is also possible. Minnesota has a challenging game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, while San Francisco has a favorable remaining schedule against the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. If the 49ers win out and Minnesota loses once, San Francisco will likely move into the second spot thanks to a better conference record.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 at Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 18 vs. Arizona Cardinals
4. Buccaneers (7-8)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers barely escaped last week with a 19-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Bucs have a one-game lead ahead of the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
In Week 17, Tampa Bay will play host to the Carolina Panthers. With a loss, the Buccaneers would fall to second place. Tom Brady and the Bucs remain favorites to win the division at -375.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. Carolina Panthers
- Week 18 at Atlanta Falcons
5. Cowboys (11-4) – Clinched Playoff Spot
After taking down the Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys are still alive in the NFC East title race. Week 15’s collapse against the Jacksonville Jaguars has become even more crushing. If Dallas would have won, it would sit at 12-3 and would need one more Philadelphia loss to take the divisional lead.
At 11-4, the Cowboys must win out while the Eagles lose out. This would give Dallas the NFC East and vault the Cowboys to a top-three seed.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 at Tennessee Titans
- Week 18 at Washington Commanders
6. Giants (8-6-1)
A win over the Vikings would have put the New York Giants in a great position, especially with other Wild Card contenders losing in Week 16. However, they fell short against Minnesota in the final seconds.
The Giants have a one-game cushion for the sixth seed, like in Week 15. New York can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the stumbling Indianapolis Colts in Week 17.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Week 18 at Philadelphia Eagles
7. Commanders (7-7-1)
The Washington Commanders lost in Week 16 but are still in the playoff picture. Fortunately for them, the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks also lost, which keeps the Commanders ahead of the crowd.
Washington needs a lot of help to clinch a playoff spot this week. The Commanders must win while the Seahawks and Lions lose and the Green Bay Packers lose or tie.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. Browns
- Week 18 vs. Cowboys
In the Hunt
8. Seahawks (7-8)
The Seattle Seahawks’ playoff chances are rapidly dropping. They must win out, which seems unlikely after losing five of the last six games. If Seattle wins the final two games, the Commanders and Packers must lose once.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. Jets
- Week 18 vs. Rams
9. Lions (7-8)
Week 16’s loss against the Panthers was devastating. Following the Commanders’ loss, the Lions would have held the No. 7 seed with a win. Instead, Detroit needs some help with two games remaining.
The Lions must win out paired with the Commanders and Seahawks losing once. Detroit is one game behind Washington and Seattle holds a tiebreaker over the Lions.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. Bears
- Week 18 at Packers
10. Packers (7-8)
Suddenly, the Green Bay Packers sneaking into the playoffs no longer looks unrealistic. The Packers must win out while the Commanders lose once. Green Bay has two remaining games against divisional foes, and Washington will face the Browns and Cowboys.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 vs. Vikings
- Week 18 vs. Lions
11. Panthers (6-9)
The Carolina Panthers still control their own destiny after a dominant 37-23 win over the Lions. If Carolina wins out, it will take the NFC South crown. But that is easier said than done, as the final two games will be on the road against divisional foes. The Panthers are the second choice to win the division (+325).
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 at Buccaneers
- Week 18 at Saints
Long Shots
12. Saints (6-9)
The New Orleans Saints’ +2200 odds to win the NFC South says enough. The Saints are still long shots to win the division despite Week 16’s win over the Cleveland Browns.
To win the South, New Orleans needs to win out and the Buccaneers must lose out. The Saints also have an outside shot to earn a Wild Card spot. This would require the following: New Orleans wins out, the Commanders lose out and the Packers, Seahawks and Lions lose once. Detroit would also need to beat the Bears in Week 17 to win a tiebreaker over the Packers, which helps put the Saints in.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 17 at Eagles
- Week 18 vs. Panthers
