NFC Playoff Scenarios for Week 16
The Vikings and Eagles are locks to make the NFC Playoffs by virtue of winning the NFC North and East, respectively, but there are still numerous variables affecting the other four spots, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs also remains up for grab.
The Los Angeles Rams have the inside track on winning the NFC West, but the NFC South can still be won by New Orleans, Carolina or Atlanta.
The Eagles clinch home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs if:
- Philadelphia (12-2) wins against Oakland (6-8) on Monday OR
- Minnesota (11-3) loses at Green Bay (7-7) OR
- Philadelphia's and Minnesota's games end in ties
The Vikings can clinch a first-round bye this weekendwith:
- A win against the Packers and a loss or tie by Carolina (10-4) against Tampa Bay (4-10) OR
- A tie against Green Bay, and a loss by Carolina, and a loss or tie by New Orleans (10-4) against Atlanta (9-5) and a loss or tie by the Los Angeles Rams (10-4) at Tennessee (8-6)
*NOTE: The Vikings can't clinch home-field advantage this weekend but need a win and a Philadelphia loss to keep that a possibility.*
The Rams can clinch the NFC West with:
- A win or tie at Tennessee
- A loss or tie by Seattle (8-6) at Dallas
The Rams can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. A loss or tie by Detroit (8-6), and a loss by Carolina against Tampa Bay, and a loss by Atlanta at New Orleans
The Saints can clinch the NFC South with:
- A win against Atlanta and a loss by Carolina
The Saints can clinch a playoff berth with:
- A win or tie OR
- A tie between Dallas and Seattle
The Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with:
- A win or tie against Tampa Bay OR
- A tie between Dallas and Seattle
The Falcons can clinch a playoff berth with:
- A win OR
- A tie, a tie between Dallas and Seattle, a tie or loss by Detroit at Cincinnati (5-9)
