A-Rod and the Packers may have to play the Vikings in consecutive weeks. (Getty)
With Washington taking the NFC East, the NFC playoff bracket is all but locked in. The only team not locked in are the Vikings, who are still one game behind the Packers with a Week 17 meeting on the horizon. If the standings hold, the teams could be playing in two consecutive weeks, as they’re currently matched up on Wild Card weekend.
This week, the Vikings have a more favorable matchup than Green Bay and could threaten the division title. Green Bay is traveling to face Arizona, while Minnesota will play the newly-eliminated Giants on Sunday Night Football.
Of the NFL’s four projected playoff games, none could be less predictable than Washington-Seattle. Kirk Cousins has played brilliantly in recent weeks, but so has Russell Wilson. These teams met for the Wild Card in 2013, and RG3 and Washington shot out to a 14-0 lead at CenturyLink Field. But Robert Griffin’s knee injury turned the game, and Seattle scored 24 unanswered points to win 24-14.
Here are the full standings and clinch scenarios:
NFC Seeding
Russel Wilson is leading the Seahawks back into the posteason. (Getty)
The Division Leaders:
1. Carolina Panthers — 14-1 — Clinched NFC South & First Round Bye
2. Arizona Cardinals — 13-2 — Clinched NFC West & First Round Bye
3. Green Bay Packers — 10-5 — Clinched Playoff Berth
4. Washington Redskins — 8-7 — Clinched NFC East
The Wild Card Contenders:
5. Seattle Seahawks — 9-6
6. Minnesota Vikings — 9-5
Clinching Scenarios:
– Carolina can clinch home-field advantage with win and Arizona loss
– Green Bay clinches NFC North with win and Minnesota loss
Potential Wild Card Matchups:
Seahawks at Packers
Vikings at Redskins
