NFC PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

#1 SEED: Arizona has clinched the #1 seed even if they lose to Houston in week 18 while Philadelphia beats both Green Bay and Denver. The two teams would end with identical regular season records in that scenario (14-3). However, since the two teams did not play each other the #1 tie breaker would be the better conference record and, in this case, both would finish with 10-2 records forcing the next tie breaker. That would be the teams' record vs common opponents with a minimum of 4 games. Each team has played Washington, Seattle, Detroit, and Tampa Bay. Arizona had a perfect 5-0 record versus those four teams, while Philly would end at 4-1 giving the top seed to the Cardinals. 

#2 SEED: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (12-3): Philly can clinch the #2 seed by going 1-1 in its last two games and finishing 13-4. Atlanta (11-4-1) can do no better than 12-4-1 and would, in this case, come up a half-game behind the Eagles. Minnesota (11-4-1) is in the same situation and can do no better than 12-4-1. They also lost a regular season game versus Philadelphia. However, should the Eagles lose both of their final games then things get dicey. At 12-5, Philly would fall behind Atlanta if the Falcons win in week 18 vs the Saints. Minnesota would also pass the Eagles, despite losing the regular season meeting, by virtue of their better overall record! Should Philadelphia lose its two remaining games and the Falcons and Vikings end up with identicaal 12-4-1 records, Atlanta would get the #2 seed by virtue of their very close, 29-27, week 16 victory over Minnesota. Minnesota can claim the #2 seed only by winning in week 18 versus the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta losing to the Saints, and Philadelphia losing its final two games. That would leave the Vikings at 12-4-1, Atlanta at 11-5-1, and Philadelphia at 12-5. Obviously, the seeding would then be Minnesota (2), Philadelphia (3) and Atlanta (4). Minnesota can claim the 3 seed by winning over Cleveland in week 18 while the Falcons lose to New Orleans. If Philadelphia goes at least 1-1. then the seeding would be th Eagles 2, Minnesoat 3, and Atlanta 4. 

   The Green Bay Packers could finish 12-5 if they win their final two games. However, unless Minnesota also loses to the Browns, the Vikings would still win the NFC North making the Packers a moot point as far as seeds 2-4 are concerned. Should, though, Minnesota lose to Cleveland and Green Bay win its final two games, then the Packers would win the NFC North and be the 4 seed unless Philadelphia also loses to the Broncos in week 18. In that scenario, Green Bay would be the 3 seed by virtue of their win over Philadelphia, the Eagles would fall to the 4 seed, and Minnesota would be the 5 seed! 

#5 Seed: This will end up being either the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks (9-6), or the New Orelans Saints (8-7)! As stated above, Minnesota can do no worse than the 5 seed. Seattle can claim the 5 seed only if the Packers lose their final two games and Seattle wins its last two games versus New Orleans and Baltimore. Green Bay defeated the Seahawks, 23-13, in week 13 so, should the Packers lose both games and Seattle goes 1-1 or 0-2, the Seahawks would lose the tie breaker. The Saints can claim the 5 seed should they win their last two games versus Seattle and Atlanta while Green Bay loses its final two games. In that scenario, a 3-way tie between Seattle, Green Bay, and New Orleans at 10-7, could evolve. The Saints would win the tie breaker by virtue of an 8-4 conference record while Green Bay would finish at 7-5 and Seattle would finish at 5-7. In all scenarios, The Packers would claim the 5 seed if they go 1-1 over their final two games regardless of any other outcomes. 

#6 Seed: If Green Bay goes 1-1 the Packers will be the 5 seed. However, if Green Bay should lose its final two games and finish 10-7, then Seattle or New Orleans could leap frog over Green Bay to the 5 seed. If Seattle beats the Saints and Ravens, they would finish at 11-6 and be the 5 seed. New Orelans could pass the Packers should Green Bay lose both games and the Saints beat both Seattle and Atlanta and finish at 10-7. In that scenario, New Orleans, Green Bay, and Seattle (if they beat Baltimore in week 18) would all finish at 10-7. The Saints would be the 5 seed by virtue of the better conference record, Green Bay would be the 6 seed due to its win over Seattle, and the Seahawks would be the 7 seed. 

#7 seed: The New York Giants could finish 8-8-1 if they beat the Buffalo Billis in week 18. If the Saints lose to both the Seahawks and Falcons, New York would take the 7 seed in that scenario. The Giants can only make the playoffs as the 7 seed and by over-taking the Saints. If the Saints beat the Seahawks but lose to Atlanta, they would finish at 9-8. If Seattle were to also lose to Baltimore in week 18, then Seattle would be the 7 seed. If the Saints lose to Seattle in week 17 and beat Atlanta, then Seattle could be the 5 seed (as the scenario above shows) or the 6 seed and New Orleans the 7 seed. If New Orleans wins both of its last two games, then Seattle will be the 7 seed.