The Washington Commanders, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, secured their place in the NFC playoffs with a hard-fought 30-24 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons, spearheaded by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. While the Commanders’ playoff berth is guaranteed, their final seeding remains uncertain and hinges on the outcomes of the upcoming Week 18 games. Several teams are vying for advantageous positions in the playoff bracket, making the final week of the regular season crucial for determining the NFC playoff landscape.
At the top of the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions are battling for the coveted No. 1 seed, which guarantees a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Vikings’ Week 17 win against the Green Bay Packers keeps them in contention, but the Lions control their own destiny. Regardless of the outcome of the Lions’ Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers (barring a tie), the winner of their Week 18 matchup will claim the top seed. The loser will fall to the No. 5 seed, facing a challenging away game against the No. 4 seed in the Wild Card round.
The Philadelphia Eagles, boasting a 13-3 record after their victory over the Dallas Cowboys, have solidified their position as the No. 2 seed. This secures them home-field advantage in the first round against the No. 7 seed. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams have clinched the No. 3 seed, also guaranteeing them a home game in the first round, regardless of their Week 18 result. The Commanders’ victory not only secured their own playoff spot, but also inadvertently locked in the Rams’ position.
The final NFC South playoff spot is a contest between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons’ loss to the Commanders leaves their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. If the Buccaneers defeat the New Orleans Saints in Week 18, they will secure the No. 4 seed. However, a Buccaneers loss combined with a Falcons victory over the Carolina Panthers would send Atlanta to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, setting up a potential rematch against the Commanders.
The Washington Commanders and the Green Bay Packers, both with 11-5 records, are vying for the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds. The tiebreaker for these final two Wild Card spots comes down to conference record. Should the Commanders defeat the Cowboys in Week 18, they will secure the No. 6 seed. Conversely, a Commanders loss coupled with a Packers victory over the Chicago Bears would elevate Green Bay to the No. 6 seed, leaving the Commanders at No. 7.
In summary, the NFC playoff picture heading into Week 18 remains largely unsettled. The No. 1, No. 4, No. 6, and No. 7 seeds are all up for grabs, with multiple teams vying for advantageous positions. The Vikings and Lions are locked in a battle for the top seed, while the Buccaneers and Falcons fight for the final NFC South playoff spot. The Commanders and Packers are also in a direct competition for seeding in the Wild Card round. The outcomes of the Week 18 games will ultimately determine the final playoff bracket and set the stage for the NFC playoffs.
