The Washington Commanders secured their NFC playoff berth with a hard-fought 30-24 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons, led by quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr., respectively. While the Commanders’ postseason appearance is assured, their seeding and opponent remain uncertain heading into the final week of the regular season. Several scenarios are still in play, impacting the playoff landscape for multiple teams across the NFC.
The battle for the top seed in the NFC involves the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. The Vikings’ Week 17 triumph over the Green Bay Packers keeps them in contention for the coveted number one spot and the accompanying first-round bye. The Lions, however, hold the tiebreaker advantage due to their head-to-head victory over the Vikings earlier in the season. Therefore, the Week 18 matchups—Vikings against the Chicago Bears and Lions against the San Francisco 49ers—will determine who secures the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The loser of this battle will claim the fifth seed and face the fourth-seeded team on the road in the Wild Card round.
The Philadelphia Eagles solidified their position as the second seed in the NFC with a decisive victory over their rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Their 13-3 record guarantees them home-field advantage in their opening playoff game against the seventh seed. The Eagles’ strong performance throughout the season positions them well for a deep postseason run.
The Los Angeles Rams benefitted from the Commanders’ victory, securing the third seed regardless of their Week 18 outcome. This guarantees them a home game in the first round of the playoffs. While their seeding is locked in, the Rams will be keen to finish the regular season on a high note and build momentum heading into the postseason.
The final NFC South playoff spot hangs in the balance between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons. Had the Falcons defeated the Commanders, they would have virtually secured their place in the postseason. Now, their fate rests on the outcome of their Week 18 game against the Carolina Panthers and the Buccaneers’ clash with the New Orleans Saints. A Buccaneers victory eliminates the Falcons, while a Buccaneers loss combined with a Falcons win sends Atlanta to the playoffs as the fourth seed. This NFC South showdown will add a dramatic finale to the regular season.
The Washington Commanders and the Green Bay Packers are vying for the sixth and seventh seeds in the NFC Wild Card race. Both teams currently hold an 11-5 record, meaning their final regular season games will determine their playoff seeding. If the Commanders defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, they will claim the sixth seed. Conversely, a Commanders loss coupled with a Packers victory over the Chicago Bears would elevate Green Bay to the sixth seed. This head-to-head tiebreaker scenario adds another layer of intrigue to the final week of the season. The outcome of these games will determine not only seeding but also potential matchups in the first round of the playoffs.
