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Week 18 playoff picture | Seeding scenarios and more

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The Washington Commanders are officially in the playoffs.

With a thrilling 30-24 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Commanders punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2020 and earned their first 11-win season since 1991. They currently own the No. 6 seed, and if the playoffs started tomorrow, they would play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in the first round.

But with one more game left in the regular season, there are several factors still in play. Let's look at the current playoff picture ahead of the season finale.

Division leaders

No. 1 Detroit Lions (14-2)

The Lions handled their business against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Jared Goff was solid once again with three touchdowns and 303 yards in a 40-34 victory. Although their playoff spot has been secured for a while, they arguably have the most to play for next week against the Minnesota Vikings. Whoever wins that game on Sunday Night Football will earn the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. The loser gets bumped down to the No. 5 seed.

No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

The Eagles were down to their third-string quarterback last week against the Dallas Cowboys when Tanner McKee came in for an injured Kenny Pickett. It didn't seem to matter, as Saquon Barkley surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season in a 41-7 win. The Eagles can't improve their seeding next week against the New York Giants, but Barkley has the chance to break the single-season rushing record against his former team.

No. 3 Los Angeles Rams (10-6)

The Rams hung on to beat the Arizona Cardinals in a 13-9 victory last week, which locked up the NFC West and gave them their sixth 10-win season since 2017. They'll close out the season against the Seattle Seahawks, who were eliminated thanks to the Commanders' win over the Falcons. There's plenty of incentive to win, too; a win would secure the No. 3 seed, while a loss and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers win could bump them down to No. 4, where they would host either the Lions or Vikings.

No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)

The Bucs are back on top of the NFC South after blowing out the Carolina Panthers and were helped by the Falcons loss to the Commanders. The division champion is still undecided, though, because there's still a chance for the Falcons to claim the crown thanks to them sweeping the Buccaneers earlier this season. The Buccaneers will close out the season against the New Orleans Saints, and they would finally earn a playoff berth with a win. However, if the Falcons beat the Panthers and the Bucs lose, then the playoff spot would go to Atlanta.

Check out the top photos of the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium during their Week 17 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, shot on Sony. (Photos by Emilee Fails and Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders)

Wild Card

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (14-2)

The Vikings held off the Green Bay Packers last week, and by virtue of their 27-25 win, they have a shot at getting the No. 1 seed, which would ensure that the road to the NFC Championship would go through U.S. Bank Stadium. First, however, they'll need to play the Lions on the road on Sunday Night Football. Their last game was decided by two points, and the rematch should be just as competitive with so much at stake.

No. 6 Washington Commanders (11-5)

It might not have been pretty, but the Commanders pulled out wins over playoff caliber teams in dramatic fashion two weeks in a row. Jayden Daniels has been the talk of the league for the role he played in getting those victories; he threw eight touchdowns compared to two interceptions while rushing for a combined 208 yards. Head coach Dan Quinn said the Commanders will be playing to win in the rematch against the Dallas Cowboys, and they'll need a winning effort to lock up the No. 6 seed.

No. 7 Green Bay Packers (11-5)

The Packers gave the Vikings a fight but ended up being knocked down to the No. 7 seed after the loss thanks to the Commanders having a better conference record. They'll close out the season with a home matchup against the Chicago Bears and will be rooting for the Cowboys this weekend. A Dallas win would move them back up to the No. 6 seed, which would prevent them from having to play the Eagles.

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