Fansided

Updated NFC Playoff Picture after Packers blowout Vikings

By Josh Hill

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with Tyler Davis #84 of the Green Bay Packers after running for a two yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kayla Wolf/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with Tyler Davis #84 of the Green Bay Packers after running for a two yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kayla Wolf/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 01: Drake Jackson #95 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 01: Drake Jackson #95 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

NFL Playoff Picture: Updated NFC Playoff Picture after Vikings lose

A few playoff dreams died on Sunday afternoon. The Carolina Panthers lost out on a slim chance of winning the NFC South, losing to the Buccaneers and thus getting eliminated from contention. Washington also watched its chances of making the playoffs evaporate thanks to a loss to the Browns and the Packers victory over the Vikings.

It wasn’t all gloom-and-doom, though.

The race for the playoffs in the NFC is down to a single Wild Card spot, as the New York Giants punched a ticket on Sunday after trouncing the Indianapolis Colts. It marks the first time since 2016 that the Giants have qualified for the playoffs and completes a total turnaround orchestrated by first-year head coach Brian Daboll.

Speaking of 2016, another team is on the verge of returning to the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Detroit Lions can win the final Wild Card spot by beating the Packers and with some help from the Los Angeles Rams, who need to beat the Seattle Seahawks.

However, if the Lions lose to the Packers then it’ll be Green Bay that owns the last ticket to the playoffs. After starting 4-8, Green Bay now controls its destiny after destroying the Vikings on Sunday.

For now, the Seahawks are technically in the playoffs due to a head-to-head tie breaker over the Lions. But if the Lions lose, that tiebreaker becomes irrelevant and the Seahawks will get jumped by the Packers.

If the Seahawks win and the Lions win, though, then Seattle will go to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed.

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

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) – Clinched Playoff Berth
  2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – Clinched NFC West
  3. Minnesota Vikings (12-4) –  Clinched NFC North
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) – Clinched NFC South
  5. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) – Clinched Playoff Berth
  6. New York Giants (8-6-1) – Clinched Wild Card
  7. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

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

  • (2) San Francisco 49ers vs. (7) Seattle Seahawks
  • (3) Minnesota Vikings 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.

NFL Playoff Picture: NFC Wild Card standings after Week 17

The NFC no longer has any games remaining in Week 17, as the final two games on the schedule all involve AFC teams. Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after all of the NFC games in Week 17:

  1. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) – Clinched
  2. New York Giants (9-6-1) – Clinched
  3. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

On The Bubble

Detroit Lions (8-8)
Green Bay Packers (8-8)

Eliminated

New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
Carolina Panthers (6-10)
Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
Los Angeles Rams (4-9)
Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
Chicago Bears (3-13) 

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