Fansided

Updated NFC Playoff Picture after another unbelievable Vikings comeback

By Josh Hill

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Greg Joseph #1 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after kicking a game winning 61 yard field goal as time expired to beat the New York Giants 27-24 at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Greg Joseph #1 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after kicking a game winning 61 yard field goal as time expired to beat the New York Giants 27-24 at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: Yetur Gross-Matos #97 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: Yetur Gross-Matos #97 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

NFL Playoff Picture: Updated NFC Standings after Vikings beat Giants

Minnesota’s thrilling win over the Giants led the way for an otherwise quiet afternoon for the NFC. The ripple effect the result has is in the Wild Card picture, as the Giants are back to hoping Washington ends up on the losing end of its contest. New York could have clinched a playoff berth with a win in Minnesota, but now it needs some help to make that happen.

To be fair, the Giants still control their destiny in reaching the playoffs. But two NFC East teams have already punched postseason tickets and there are only two Wild Card spots available.

New York caught a break with the Lions and Seahawks both losing on Sunday, but it’s more of a missed opportunity than anything else.

The door remains open for Detroit and Seattle to sneak into the Wild Card, and the Commanders are very much in play for a playoff berth as well.

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) – Clinched Playoff Berth
  6. New York Giants (8-6-1)
  7. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)

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

  • (2) Minnesota Vikings vs. (7) Washington Commanders
  • (3) San Francisco 49ers vs. (6) New York Giants
  • (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 16 (Updated after early games)

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 16:

  1. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
  2. New York Giants (8-6-1)
  3. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)

On The Bubble

Seattle Seahawks (7-8)
Detroit Lions (7-8)

Still In the Hunt

Green Bay Packers (6-8)
Carolina Panthers (6-9)
New Orleans Saints (6-9)

Eliminated

Atlanta Falcons (5-10)
Arizona Cardinals (4-10)
Los Angeles Rams (4-9)
Chicago Bears (3-12)

Home/NFL