Fansided

Updated NFC Playoff picture after Bucs blow 17-point lead to Bengals

By Josh Hill

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 18: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is sacked and fumbles the ball during the third quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 18: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is sacked and fumbles the ball during the third quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next

Updated NFC Playoff Picture after Buccaneers blow 17-point lead

As bad as things were for the Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys somehow had a worse afternoon. No one expects Tampa Bay to be good, while Dallas entered Sunday in a position where it could have made a run at usurping Philadelphia for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

That’s a pipe dream now after the Cowboys went into Duval and lost in overtime to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The loss puts an even greater emphasis on the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Commanders and Giants, who can gain unexpected ground on the Cowboys with a win.

Washington, specifically, is in a primo spot. If the Commanders win, they’ll be set up for a potential Week 18 matchup against the Cowboys with the No. 5 seed on the line. That would require the Cowboys to lose one more game before then, but based on what happened on Sunday anything is possible.

Here’s a look at what the NFC Playoff picture would look like if the postseason started today:

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) – Clinched Playoff Berth
  2. Minnesota Vikings (11-3) –  Clinched NFC North
  3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) – Clinched NFC West
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)
  5. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
  6. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
  7. New York Giants (7-5-1)

Based on those standings, here’s what the playoff matchups would look like for the first weekend of action:

  • (2) Minnesota Vikings vs. (7) New York Giants
  • (3) San Francisco 49ers vs. (6) Washington Commanders
  • (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. (5) Dallas Cowboys

Each higher-seeded team would host its Wild Card Weekend matchup. Right now, the Philadelphia Eagles would have a first-round bye with the No. 1 seed and host any playoff game they play in.

NFC Wild Card standings after Week 15

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 10:

  1. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
  2. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
  3. New York Giants (7-5-1)

On The Bubble

Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
Detroit Lions (7-7)

Still In the Hunt

Green Bay Packers (5-8)
Carolina Panthers (5-9)
Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
New Orleans Saints (5-9)

On Life Support

Los Angeles Rams (4-9)

Eliminated

Arizona Cardinals (4-10)
Chicago Bears (3-11) – Eliminated 

Home/NFL