The Green Bay Packers control the NFL playoff scenarios in the NFC just needing a win to clinch a spot in Week 18, but the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions remain alive.
All three teams in the NFC have 8-8 records, and the playoff picture will become more clear after Seattle’s game against the Rams. It’s an unfortunate scheduling circumstance for Seattle, currently the No. 7 seed in the conference, but no matter what happens it’s safe to count on the Lions giving their all Sunday night.
Why does this matter? Let’s get into the Week 18 scenarios in the NFC. Find the AFC scenarios here.
2023 NFL Playoff Scenarios: NFC
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Seattle holds the final spot in the NFC right now, but that doesn’t matter. Pete Carroll’s team needs help. Seattle has to beat the Los Angeles Rams as 5.5-point favorites in the late afternoon slate. If that happens, the Lions are eliminated but still need to beat Green Bay for Seattle to get in.
The Seahawks will rely heavily on Tyler Lockett to pull off the win.
The Lions and Packers are the last game of the night on Sunday Night Football.
Detroit Lions (8-8)
The Lions will be rooting for old friend Matthew Stafford’s team on Sunday, even if he won’t be playing. If Baker Mayfield and Co. can upset Seattle, the Lions actually have a chance at the playoffs. Yes, the Detroit Lions.
All they’d have to do at that point is walk into Green Bay and beat old foe Aaron Rodgers. That’s all.
Green Bay Packers (8-8)
It didn’t look like this was possible a few weeks ago, but Green Bay controls its own destiny in the NFC playoff race. No matter what happens with Seattle, the Packers are the final playoff qualifier with a win over Detroit. The Packers are a 5-point favorite at DraftKings and -225 on the moneyline.
