NFL Playoff Picture and Important Games With Playoff Implications: Who Needs to Win Today to Make the Playoffs?

The NFL Playoff Picture is tight. With all 32 teams having just one regular season game left, much is up for grabs in the NFC.

A number of games in the conference can decide division winners, wildcard spots, and first round byes. First, let’s take a look at the current playoff standings before any week 17 games.

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers (12-3)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-4)
3. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
4. Washington Football Team (6-9)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5)
6. Los Angles Rams (9-6)
7. Chicago Bears (8-7)

Now, keeping in mind that the standings can change significantly by the end of the day, we can dive fully into each scenario for every team that can still make the playoffs.

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NFL Playoff Picture: NFC

Green Bay Packers

Unlike in the AFC where the Chiefs have already locked up the #1 seed, there are 3 teams in the NFC who can take the spot. The Packers, Seahawks, and Saints all have a shot at being the the only team with a first round bye in the conference.

The Packers, who currently have a 12-3 record, are in the best position to secure the bye. Here are the scenarios wherein the Packers get the #1 seed:

• Either Packers win/tie
• OR Seahawks lose/tie

Games to look out for:

• Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
• Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers

New Orleans Saints

Similar to Green Bay, the Saints will want to win their game against the Panthers for a chance at a first round bye. However, it will still be up to chance as they need some other favorable results. Here’s how they can clinch the #1 seed.

• Saints win
• AND Packers lose
• AND Seahawks win

Games to look out for:

• New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
• Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
• Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Scenarios where Seattle can earn a first round bye:

• Seahawks win
• AND Packers lose
• AND Saints lose/tie

Games to look out for:

• Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
• New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
• Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Washington Football Team, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants

It might seem strange that WFT is the current #4 seed with a 6-9 record but that’s been the story of the NFC East this year. The division will either go to Washington, the Giants (also 5-10), or Dallas (6-9) .

Here’s how Washington can clinch the division and a spot in the playoffs:

• Washington win
• OR Washington lose AND Cowboys lose/tie

Scenarios for Dallas to clinch division:

• Cowboys win AND Washington lose/tie
• OR Cowboys tie AND Washington lose

Scenarios for Giants to win NFC East:

• Giants win
• AND Washington lose

Games to look out for:

• Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
• Washington Football Team @ Philadelphia Eagles

Los Angeles Rams

Tampa Bay secured one of the wildcard spots but the other 2 will belong to some combination of the Rams, Cardinals, and Bears. Currently the Rams have a slight advantage at 9-6 while Chicago and Arizona are both 8-7.

How the Rams can clinch a playoff berth:

• Rams win/tie
• OR Bears lose/tie

Games to look out for:

• Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams
• Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Arizona Cardinals

Scenarios for Cardinals to clinch wildcard spot:

• Cardinals win
• OR Cardinals tie AND Bears lose

Games to look out for:

• Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams
• Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears

Ways for the Bears to make the Playoffs:

• Bears win
• OR Cardinals lose

Games to look out for:

• Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams
• Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears