NFL playoff picture: NFC clinching scenarios for Week 18

There are only two teams still competing for the final playoff spot in the NFC, while Philadelphia has a must-win clinching scenario that involves potentially winning the NFC East, and No. 2 overall seed in Week 18.

NFL research released the clinching scenarios for the NFC, excluding any tiebreaker scenarios.

The AFC and NFC playoff picture is clear at the top, with Baltimore and San Francisco earning No. 1 overall seeds.

Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for the NFC ahead of Week 18.

NFC

Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) at the line of scrimmage against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

CLINCHED:

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – NFC West division title, No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage

Detroit Lions (11-5) – NFC North division title

Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – playoff berth

Los Angeles Rams (9-7) – playoff berth

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – playoff berth

ATLANTA FALCONS (7-9) at New Orleans (8-8); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta clinches NFC South division title with:

ATL win + TB loss

DALLAS COWBOYS (11-5) at Washington (4-12); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson tries to tackle Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.

Dallas clinches NFC East division title with:

DAL win OR
DAL tie + PHI tie OR
PHI loss

GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-8) vs. Chicago (7-9); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

GB win OR
GB tie + SEA loss or tie + NO loss or tie OR
GB tie + SEA loss + TB loss OR
GB tie + SEA tie + TB loss or tie OR
MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss OR
MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + NO loss

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) at Detroit (11-5); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall (16) looks to hand the ball off to running back Ty Chandler (32) against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota clinches playoff berth with:

MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + TB loss OR
MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + NO loss

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-8) vs. Atlanta (7-9); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA;New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans clinches NFC South division title with:

NO win + TB loss or tie OR
NO tie + TB loss

New Orleans clinches playoff berth with:

NO win + SEA loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR
NO tie + SEA loss + GB loss

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-5) at N.Y. Giants (5-11); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) sits on the field after being tackled during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia clinches NFC East division title with:

PHI win + DAL loss or tie OR
PHI tie + DAL loss

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-8) at Arizona (4-12); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle clinches playoff berth with:

SEA win + GB loss or tie OR
SEA tie + GB loss + TB loss or tie OR
SEA tie + GB loss + NO loss or tie

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-8) at Carolina (2-14); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay clinches NFC South division title with:

TB win OR
TB tie + NO loss or tie

Tampa Bay clinches playoff berth with:

TB tie + SEA loss + GB loss or tie