They’ve got it in their hands
We’ve got just one week left in the 2024 NFL regular season, and while most of the playoff spots have been solidified in the NFC, there are still a few things to be determined as far as seedings are concerned. We know what’s on the line for our Minnesota Vikings, but let’s take a look at the full playoff picture in the conference as it stands on this Monday morning, along with some of their relevant post season odds from our friends at FanDuel.
(Note: At the present time, FanDuel does not have the NFC North divisional odds up on their site, which is why they’re not listed.)
#1 seed – Minnesota Vikings (14-2, 1st place NFC North, clinched playoff spot, +850 to win Super Bowl)
Yes, I know that Detroit will take this spot back again with a win on Monday Night Football, but I’ll be darned if I’m not going to do one of these with the Vikings in the top spot. The purple have done everything that they need to do to give themselves a chance to be the #1 seed in the conference for the first time since 1998. . .now they just need to follow through and give themselves a big week off before the Divisional round.
Week 18 opponent: at Detroit (Sunday Night Football)
#2 seed – Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, 1st place NFC East, clinched division title, +700 to win Super Bowl)
The Eagles are locked into the #2 seed in the NFC after their victory over Dallas on Sunday. The only drama they have remaining is whether or not Saquon Barkley will set the new single-season rushing record (albeit in one extra game) and exactly how long they want to play their starters on Sunday afternoon.
Week 18 opponent: vs New York Giants (Sunday early)
#3 seed – Los Angeles Rams (10-6, 1st place NFC West, clinched division title, +2100 to win Super Bowl)
The Rams have locked up the NFC West based on holding the “strength of victory” tiebreaker over Seattle, and they’re likely going to be the #3 seed unless something really strange happens in Week 18. The Rams’ offense has slowed considerably since they put up 44 points to beat Buffalo a few weeks ago, but they can still be a pretty dangerous team in a one-and-done format.
Week 18 opponent: vs Seattle (Sunday late)
#4 seed – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, 1st place NFC South, -1300 to win division, +3200 to win Super Bowl)
Outside of Sunday Night Football, the real drama in the NFC will come in the early window on Sunday when the NFC South will be decided. If the Bucs win, they’ll clinch the NFC South and will host whoever loses on Sunday night. If they should lose and Atlanta wins, then the Falcons will win this division. This is the only playoff spot in the conference that hasn’t already been secured by someone.
Week 18 opponent: vs New Orleans (Sunday early)
#5 seed – Detroit Lions (13-2, 2nd place NFC North, clinched playoff spot, +470 to win Super Bowl)
The Lions will be playing for the top seed in the conference regardless of what they do on Monday Night Football tonight. Dan Campbell has already said that the Lions will be going “all out” to win this rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game. Whatever, man.
Week 17/18 opponents: at San Francisco (Monday Night Football)/vs Minnesota (Sunday Night Football)
#6 seed – Washington Commanders (11-5, 2nd place NFC East, clinched playoff spot, +3200 to win Super Bowl)
Washington punched their postseason ticket with their overtime win over Atlanta on Sunday night, and now sit in the #6 spot based on having a better conference record than Green Bay. That’s important because the 7 seed is heading to Philadelphia on Wild Card Weekend, which I don’t think is an ideal situation. Washington can lock themselves in at 6 with a win on Sunday.
Week 18 opponent: at Dallas (Sunday early)
#7 seed – Green Bay Packers (11-5, 3rd place NFC North, clinched playoff spot, +1500 to win Super Bowl)
That team that appears to be getting a trip to Philadelphia to start the playoffs? None other than the Packers, who now can’t climb any higher than the 6 spot after being swept by the Vikings. The Eagles hung one of the Packers’ losses on them this season, so it looks like Green Bay might be in some trouble once the playoffs start.
Week 18 opponent: vs Chicago (Sunday early)
Still Alive
#9 seed – Atlanta Falcons (8-8, 2nd place NFC South)
Week 18 opponent: vs Carolina (Sunday early)
Eliminated from Playoff Contention
#8 seed – Seattle Seahawks (9-7, 2nd place NFC West)
Week 18 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday late)
#10 seed – Dallas Cowboys (7-9, 3rd place NFC East)
Week 18 opponent: vs Washington (Sunday early)
#11 seed – Arizona Cardinals (7-9, 3rd place NFC West)
Week 18 opponent: vs San Francisco (Sunday late)
#12 seed – San Francisco 49ers (6-9, 4th place NFC West)
Week 17/18 opponents: vs Detroit (Monday Night Football)/at Arizona (Sunday late)
#13 seed – New Orleans Saints (5-11, 3rd place NFC South)
Week 18 opponent: at Tampa Bay (Sunday early)
#14 seed – Chicago Bears (4-12, 4th place NFC North)
Week 18 opponent: at Green Bay (Sunday early)
#15 seed – Carolina Panthers (4-12, 4th place NFC South)
Week 18 opponent: at Atlanta (Sunday early)
#16 seed – New York Giants (3-13, 4th place NFC East)
Week 18 opponent: at Philadelphia (Sunday early)
That’s your updated playoff picture in the NFC, ladies and gentlemen. For some, it’s going to be an exciting Week 18. . .and, for others, not so much. But it all comes to a head on Sunday when the regular season comes to an end.
