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NFL Playoff Scenarios: The 8 NFC Teams with Something to Gain or Lose in Critical Week 18
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL Playoff Scenarios: The 8 NFC Teams with Something to Gain or Lose in Critical Week 18

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics  |  By Andre Ifill  |  Last updated Jan 4, 2024 3:11 PM ET

Although five teams are in, Week 18’s NFL playoff scenarios still revolve around half of the NFC’s franchises. The NFC East and NFC South are both up for grabs, along with the final wild-card spot. The San Francisco 49ers (#1) are looking down and laughing, while the Detroit Lions know they’ll host their first-round matchup as either the #2 or #3 seed.

So, there are plenty of NFL playoff scenarios to watch out for in the NFC, since a lot of teams are still alive. Almost every game is going to have massive implications on who clinches a playoff spot or division crown. Here’s a look at how each club can keep their Super Bowl hopes alive or make the road much easier.

NFL Playoff Scenarios by Team: NFC Edition

Dallas Cowboys

To win the NFC East:

  1. DAL win
  2. DAL tie + PHI tie
  3. PHI loss

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

To win the NFC South:

  1. TB win
  2. TB tie + NO loss or tie

To clinch wild-card berth:

  1. TB tie + SEA loss + GB loss or tie

Atlanta Falcons

To win the NFC South:

  1. ATL win + TB loss

New Orleans Saints

To win the NFC South:

  1. NO win + TB loss or tie
  2. NO tie + TB loss

To clinch wild-card berth:

  1. NO win + SEA loss or tie + GB loss or tie
  2. NO tie + SEA loss + GB loss

Philadelphia Eagles

To clinch the NFC East:

  1. PHI win + DAL loss or tie
  2. PHI tie + DAL loss

Seattle Seahawks

To clinch wild-card berth:

  1. SEA win + GB loss or tie
  2. SEA tie + GB loss + TB loss or tie
  3. SEA tie + GB loss + NO loss or tie

Green Bay Packers

To clinch wild-card berth:

  1. GB win
  2. GB tie + SEA loss or tie + NO loss or tie
  3. GB tie + SEA loss + TB loss
  4. GB tie + SEA tie + TB loss or tie
  5. MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss
  6. MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + NO loss

Minnesota Vikings

To clinch wild-card berth

  1. MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + TB loss
  2. MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + NO loss

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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