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Had the Lions won Saturday (that Taylor Decker play will be discussed for a while), it would have shaken up the NFC playoff picture more than the Dallas win did. But here’s where the NFC stands as Week 17 gets underway in earnest.
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-4): The edict for the 49ers is simple—finish with the same (or better) record than the Eagles and Cowboys (both of whom the Niners beat head-to-head), and San Francisco will claim the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4): The Eagles need a 49ers loss to claim the conference’s top seed, but provided they win out, they will claim the NFC East. Given their opponents (Arizona and at the New York Giants), that seems a likely scenario.
3. Detroit Lions (11-5): If the Eagles, 49ers and Cowboys all lose their remaining games, Dan Campbell becomes a pacifist and Detroit beats the Vikings in Week 18, the Lions could still be the NFC’s No. 1 seed. But the reality is the NFC North champions are probably locked into the third seed.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7): If the Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, it’s game over—Tampa wins the division. A tie and an Atlanta loss would also do it. If the Saints win, however, things get interesting in the league’s muddiest division.
5. Dallas Cowboys (11-5): The Cowboys still have a chance to win the NFC East if the Eagles lose one of their last two games. They could theoretically still be the NFC’s No. 1 seed if 38 things happen. But reality check time—this is where Dallas stays.
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-7): The most important thing for the Rams to do right now is win. But the team could potentially avoid a must-win Week 18 clash with the 49ers if they defeat the Giants on Sunday and the Seahawks lose to Pittsburgh.
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-7): Again, it rather goes without saying that beating the Steelers on Sunday is Seattle’s biggest priority. But even a win won’t guarantee a second straight trip to the postseason unless the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings tie in Week 17.
8. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
9. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
10. New Orleans Saints (7-8)
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