NFL playoff picture: Eagles can still clinch top seed, but Cowboys and 49ers still alive

Despite Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Eagles playoff math remains simple heading into Week 18′s game against the New York Giants.

A win and the Birds will clinch both the NFC East and the NFC’s top playoff seed, which means a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. But the Dallas Cowboys could still win the NFC East if they beat the Washington Commanders in Week 18 and the Eagles lose to the Giants. That would drop the Eagles all the way down to the No. 5 playoff spot.

The Minnesota Vikings no long have a shot at the NFC’s top playoff seed after getting blown out by the Green Bay Packers. The San Francisco 49ers could still steal the No. 1 seed from the Eagles, thanks to their overtime win against the Las Vegas Raiders. But the Eagles remain in the driver’s seat, needing just a win against the New York Giants to clinch everything.

If the Eagles, 49ers, and Cowboys end the season in a three-way tie at 13-4, the top NFL playoff seed would go to the team with the best conference record, which would be San Francisco.

Despite it all, the Birds still head into Week 18 with a 92% chance at securing the NFC’s top playoff spot, according to Fivethirtyeight.

The Giants clinched a wild-card spot Sunday, thanks to their 38-10 win against the Indianapolis Colts. The Washington Commanders lost to the Cleveland Browns, but still remain alive for the playoffs.

» READ MORE: When will the NFL announce Week 18′s schedule, and could the Eagles end up playing in Game 272?

Here’s how the NFC East stacks up following Week 17′s games:

x: clinched playoffs; y: clinched division

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-8), Green Bay Packers (8-8)

Eliminated: Chicago Bears (3-13), Arizona Cardinals (4-12), Atlanta Falcons (6-10), Los Angeles Rams (5-11), Carolina Panthers (6-10), Washington Commanders (7-8-1), New Orleans Saints (7-9)

All the Packers need is a win against the Lions in Week 18 and they’ll secure the NFC’s final wild-card spot.

The Seahawks need a win over the Rams and a Packers’ loss to the Lions, while Detroit needs a win and the Seahawks to lose.

Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

Eagles clinch the top NFC playoff seed with:

San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

49ers clinch the top NFC playoff seed with:

Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

Cowboys clinch the top NFC playoff seed with:

x: clinched playoffs; y: clinched division

In the hunt: Miami Dolphins (8-8), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8), Tennessee Titans (7-9)

Eliminated: Houston Texans (2-13-1), Denver Broncos (4-11), Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1), Cleveland Browns (7-9), New York Jets (7-9), Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)

The Titans and Jaguars game will decide the winner of the AFC South. The winner clinches the division and heads to the playoffs, and the loser likely heads home. The Jaguars could also sneak in as a wild-card, but would need losses by the Patriots, Dolphins, and Steelers.

The Patriots will enter Week 18 needing just a win against the Bills to secure a wild-card spot (they could lose and still get in, but would need a lot of help). If the Bills defeat the Bengals on Monday night, they’ll be playing for the AFC’s top playoff seed.

The Dolphins still have shot to land the final wild-card spot. A win in Week 18 against the Jets paired with a Bills victory over the Patriots, and the Dolphins would be in the playoffs.

The Steelers also have a shot at the playoffs, thanks to their come-from-behind win against the Ravens. Pittsburgh would need a win in Week 18 paired with losses by the Patriots and Dolphins.

A win by the Bengals on Monday Night Football and they’ll clinch the NFC North.

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)

Chiefs clinch the top AFC playoff seed with:

Buffalo Bills (12-3)

Bills clinch the top AFC playoff seed with:

Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)

Bengals clinch the top AFC playoff seed with: