There are four weeks left in the 2024 season, but if the playoffs started today, the Washington Commanders would be one of the seven NFC teams competing for a Super Bowl appearance.
The Commanders outperformed the expectations of several national analysts by going 7-2 to start the first year of the Adam Peters-Dan Quinn era. With four games remaining on their schedule, they have already doubled their win total from 2023 with an 8-5 record.
**The New York Times’ playoff simulator** gives them a 91% chance of making the postseason right now, and that number will only increase if they keep winning games.
Let's look at where the playoff picture stands heading into Week 15.
Division Leaders
No. 1 Detroit Lions (12-1)
Not only did the Lions strengthen their position atop the NFC North with a narrow win over the Green Bay Packers last Thursday night, but they also held off the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 1 seed. They'll have another tough test against the Buffalo Bills, who need a bounce back after losing to the Los Angeles Rams. A win next week would be their 13th of the season -- a first in franchise history.
Next opponents: Bills, Bears, 49ers, Vikings
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
The Eagles survived a final surge from the Carolina Panthers last weekend, securing their ninth consecutive win. They're in control of the NFC East for now but will need to first take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are coming off a convincing victory against the Cleveland Browns. After that, the Eagles will end the year with three straight division foes.
Next opponents: Steelers, Commanders, Cowboys, Giants
No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
The Seahawks swept the Arizona Cardinals last weekend with a 30-18 win, but they are far from locking up the NFC West. They'll have to hold off the Rams, who are catching steam after taking down the Bills in a 44-42 victory. The two teams will meet at the end of the season, and that could be the deciding factor in the division.
Next opponents: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Rams
No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
The Buccaneers have already goten swept the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the season, meaning they have a big disadvantage as the fight for the NFC South continues. The Buccaneers have what appears to be an easy path to claiming the division, though, as only one of their opponents -- the Los Angeles Chargers, who are next on their schedule -- have a winning record.
Next opponents: Chargers, Cowboys, Panthers, Saints
Wild Card
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
Sam Darnold was excellent in the Vikings' 42-21 win over the Falcons, completing 22 of 28 passes for 357 yards and five touchdowns. The team essentially has a postseason berth locked up, but the main question is where they will fall at the end of the year. Their final four games are against conference opponents, and three of them -- the Seahawks, Packers and Lions -- will likely be looking to either secure a playoff spot of their own or improve their seeding.
Next opponents: Bears, Seahawks, Packers, Lions
No. 6 Green Bay Packers (9-4)
Although the Packers took a slight misstep with their loss to the Lions, they still seem in good shape to at least get in the playoffs. Their margin for error is noticeably smaller, though, because they'll now have to hold off the Commanders for the No. 6 seed. A Commanders win over the Saints plus a Packers loss to the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football would give both teams a 9-5 record.
Next opponents: Seahawks, Saints, Vikings, Bears
No. 7 Washington Commanders (8-5)
Commanders fans got some positive news on Monday when head coach Dan Quinn announced that cornerback Marson Lattimore had a positive week and is hitting all his markers as he prepares to make his debut with Washington. It's still not clear when Lattimore will play, but there's optimism that he will suit up against the Saints, his former team. Washington could certainly use his skill set as they try to lock up a playoff berth and potentially move up to the No. 6 seed.
Next opponents: Saints, Eagles, Falcons, Cowboys
