Multiple teams are on the verge of securing a spot in the NFL playoffs for the 2022 season. Two of the seven NFC postseason berths could be clinched in Week 14, and more teams could soon be joining them.
The Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) continue to roll toward a first-round playoff bye, sitting atop the NFC playoff picture. The Minnesota Vikings (10-2) are second in the bracket and on the verge of winning the NFC North. The San Francisco 49ers (8-4) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) own top-four seeds as the conference’s final two division leaders.
The Dallas Cowboys (9-3) are currently the first wild-card team but have the third-best record in the NFC. The New York Giants (7-4-1) and Seattle Seahawks (7-5) are the No. 6 and and No. 7 seeds, respectively, in a tight race for the final two wild-card spots.
The Giants host the Eagles on Sunday in a key NFC East matchup. Philadelphia would clinch a playoff spot by defeating New York, and the Giants would be eliminated from the divisional race with a loss.
The Eagles can’t clinch the NFC East title in Week 14 because they only have a two-game lead on the Cowboys. Dallas would at least have a share of first place in six other divisions. Before hosting the Eagles in Week 16, the Cowboys have a pair of very winnable games against the Houston Texans (1-10-1) and Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8).
The Washington Commanders (7-5-1) are in last place in the NFC East and the first team out of the playoff picture after tying the Giants in Week 13. The Detroit Lions (5-7), Green Bay Packers (5-8) and Atlanta Falcons (5-8) are still alive in the wild-card race.
Barring an unforeseen scenario, Minnesota will be the first team to clinch a division title. The Vikings can win the NFC North by defeating or tying the Lions in their matchup Sunday. Even if the Lions beat the Vikings, all it takes is one Detroit loss or one Minnesota victory in order for the NFC North race to be over.
The Packers have been eliminated from contention in the NFC North despite their Week 13 win over division rival Chicago. Green Bay has won three straight division titles.
The 49ers have a one-game lead over the Seahawks in the NFC West. San Francisco’s quest for a divisional title got more difficult in Week 13 when Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury. San Francisco beat Seattle in Week 2, and the rivals will face off again in Week 15.
The Buccaneers are the only NFC South team that has fewer than eight losses, allowing them to top the division despite their losing record.
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