NFC Playoff Picture: NFL Week 18 Postseason Clinching Scenarios
Analysis 1/3/23
Six teams in the NFC have already clinched a playoff berth, leaving just one last wild-card spot remaining. This is where each team stacks up going into Week 18, along with their clinching scenarios:
Key: x-clinched playoff berth, y-clinched division, z-clinched first-round bye
NFC Playoff Picture
Current Top 7 Seeds
1. x-Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
The Eagles can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by beating the Giants in Week 18.
Week 18 clinching scenarios: Philadelphia can clinch the No. 1 seed with: PHI win or SF loss + DAL loss; Philadelphia can clinch NFC East with: PHI win or DAL loss.
Week 18 opponent: vs. Giants
2. yx-San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
The 49ers moved to the No. 2 seed after beating the Raiders, 37-34, in overtime.
Week 18 clinching scenario: San Francisco can clinch the No. 1 seed with: SF win + PHI loss.
Week 18 opponent: vs. Cardinals
3. yx-Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Week 17: The Vikings dropped to the No. 3 seed after losing to the Packers, 41-17. The Vikings have been eliminated from contention for the No. 1 seed.
Week 18 clinching scenario: Minnesota can clinch the No. 2 seed with: MIN win + SF loss.
Week 18 opponent: at Bears
Week 17: The Buccaneers clinched the NFC South by beating the Panthers, 30-24. They are locked into the No. 4 seed and will host a wild-card playoff game against the No. 5 seed.
Week 18 clinching scenario: None.
Week 18 opponent: at Atlanta
5. x-Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
Week 17: The Cowboys beat the Titans on Thursday, 27-13. With the Eagles’ loss to the Saints, Dallas has an outside chance to win the NFC East and is still in the mix for the No. 1 seed.
Week 18 clinching scenarios: Dallas can clinch the No. 1 seed with: DAL win + PHI loss + SF loss; Dallas can clinch the NFC East with: DAL win + PHI loss.
Week 18 opponent: at Commanders
6. x-New York Giants (9-6-1)
Week 17: The Giants clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 by beating the Colts, 38-10. They are locked into the No. 6 seed and will go on the road in the wild-card round against the No. 3 seed.
Week 18 clinching scenario: None.
Week 18 opponent: at Eagles
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Week 17: The Seahawks stayed alive by beating the Jets, 23-6. They’ll need some help to get into the playoffs.
Week 18 clinching scenario: Seattle can clinch a playoff berth with: SEA win + GB loss.
Week 18 opponent: vs. Rams
In the Hunt
8. Detroit Lions (8-8)
Week 17: The Lions remained alive by beating the Bears, 41-10. They’ll need some help to get into the playoffs.
Week 18 clinching scenario: Detroit can clinch a playoff berth with: DET win + SEA loss.
Week 18 opponent: at Packers
9. Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Week 17: The Packers control their own destiny after beating the Vikings, 41-17.
Week 18 clinching scenario: Green Bay can clinch a playoff berth with: GB win.
Week 18 opponent: vs. Lions
Eliminated
10. Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
11. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
12. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
13. Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
14. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
15. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
16. Chicago Bears (3-13)