The NFL playoff picture is growing clearer as we have two games remaining in the season. In the NFC, a division leader changed and some teams were eliminated from contention.
Four spots have been clinched. Three remain.
Here is the current NFC playoff picture:
NFC playoff standings, Week 17
- Detroit Lions, 13-2
- Philadelphia Eagles, 12-3
- Los Angeles Rams, 9-6
- Atlanta Falcons, 8-7
- Minnesota Vikings, 13-2
- Gren Bay Packers, 11-4
- Washington Commanders, 10-5
The Lions, Eagles, Vikings and Packers are all assured playoffs spots as they have clinched their berths.
The Seattle Seahawks (8-7) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) are the only teams in contention but not in the playoffs.
The Arizona Cardinals joined the ranks of those eliminated from contention.
The Falcons took over the NFC South lead with a 34-7 win over the New York Giants and 26-24 loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Dallas Cowboys. Atlanta holds a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bucs.
Week 17 playoff-clinching scenarios
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles can clinch the NFC East division title with a win or a tie, or a loss or tie by the Commanders.
The Eagles host the 7-8 Dallas Cowboys, while the Commanders host the 8-7 Falcons.
Detroit Lions
The Lions can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs with a win and Vikings loss. Detroit is on the road to face the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers Monday night, while the Vikings host the Packers.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will clinch the NFC South title and spot in the postseason with a win over the Commanders and a loss by the Buccaneers, who host the 4-11 Carolina Panthers.
L.A. Rams
The Rams will clinch the NFC West title with one of these scenarios:
- A win plus a loss or tie by the Seahawks
- A win plus clinching a strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle
- To clinch the strength of victory, between the Vikings, Bills, 49ers, Commanders, Bengals and Browns, there would need to be four wins (or any combination of wins and ties equalling 3.5).
- A tie and Seattle loss
The Rams host the 7-8 Cardinals Saturday night. The Seahawks face the 4-11 Chicago Bears on the road Thursday night.
The Vikings play the Packers, the Bills play the Jets, the 49ers play the Lions, the Commanders play the Falcons, the Bengals play the Broncos and the Browns play the Dolphins.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders will clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie against the Falcons, or if the Bucs lose or tie against the Panthers.
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