There are two games 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 three games remaining on their schedule, they have secured their first double-digit winning season with a 10-5 record.
Let's look at where the playoff picture stands heading into Week 17.
Division leaders
No. 1 Detroit Lions (13-2)
The Lions secured their best season in franchise history with a 34-7 win over the Chicago Bears, but the Minnesota Vikings have prevented them from having full control of both the NFC North and the No. 1 seed. Assuming things stay as they are now, the regular season finale in Detroit could decide who gets the first-round bye.
The Lions can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:
- A win AND a Vikings loss
Next opponents: 49ers, Vikings
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
The Eagles took their first stumble since Week 4 with a 36-33 loss to the Commanders, which prevented them from securing the NFC East for at least another week. They'll have a clear path to do so for the rest of the season, though, as they play the Cowboys and Giants, both of whom have been eliminated from playoff contention. Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion against the Commanders, should be back in action against Dallas.
The Eagles can clinch the NFC East with:
- A win
- OR a Commanders loss
Next opponents: Cowboys, Giants
No. 3 Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
It wasn't always pretty in the 19-9 win over the New York Jets, but the Rams now have a leg up over Seattle by virtue of the Seahawks losing to the Vikings. They've already beaten the Seahawks once this season, and like the NFC North, the season finale between the two teams could decide who gets the division crown.
The Rams can clinch the NFC West with:
- A win plus a Seahawks loss
- OR a win plus a strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle
Next opponents: Cardinals, Seahawks
No. 4 Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
The NFC South continues to be one of the most back-and-forth battlegrounds this season, as a Falcons win over the Giants plus a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Cowboys moves Atlanta back on top in the division. With both teams tied in overall record, though, the Falcons, now with Michael Penix Jr. as their quarterback, will still need to win out.
The Falcons can clinch the NFC South with:
- A win AND a Buccaneers loss
Next opponents: Commanders, Panther
Wild Card
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
Sam Darnold was exceptional again last weekend, throwing three touchdown passes to lift the Vikings over the Seahawks on the road. It was their defense, however, that sealed the game with an interception on Geno Smith with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter. They have another pivotal matchup this weekend against the Packers, fresh off a 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints, that could carry heavy implications for the rest of the playoff picture.
Next opponents: Packers, Lions
No. 6 Green Bay Packers (11-4)
The Packers locked up a playoff berth in convincing fashion on Monday Night Football against the Saints. Their defense removed any offensive threat from the Saints, who had just 196 total yards and four third-down conversions. Spencer Rattler also had a rough day with just 15 completions and an interception. They have a chance to ruin the Vikings' hopes of getting the No. 1 seed this weekend.
Next opponents: Vikings, Bears
No. 7 Washington Commanders (10-5)
The Commanders didn't always play well against the Eagles, committing five turnovers over the course of the afternoon, but Jayden Daniels came through when the team needed him most with five passing touchdowns. Head coach Dan Quinn called the victory a "toughness win," but it was also evidence that Washington can compete with anyone, even a team as talented as the Eagles. The scenario is simple for Washington: win against the Falcons on Sunday Night Football, and they'll lock up their first playoff appearance since 2020. It would also be their first 11-win season since 1991.
The Commanders can clinch a playoff berth with:
- A win
- OR a Buccaneers loss
