Jump to a gameCommanders 30, Falcons 24 (OT)Vikings 27, Packers 25Eagles 41, Cowboys 7Bills 40, Jets 14Buccaneers 48, Panthers 14Dolphins 20, Browns 3Giants 45, Colts 33Raiders 25, Saints 10Jaguars 20, Titans 13Bengals 30, Broncos 24, OT Rams 13, Cardinals 9 Chargers 40, Patriots 7Seahawks 6, Bears 3 Ravens 31, Texans 2Chiefs 29, Steelers 10 More NFL on Sports Illustrated
The NFL playoff picture is starting to shake out for both conferences. But a few spots remain open, and the competition is heavy.
In the AFC, there’s only one slot left after the Denver Broncos (9–7) lost to the Cincinnati Bengals (8–8) on Saturday. For Denver, it can clinch a playoff spot in Week 18 by beating the Kansas City Chiefs (15–1), who after securing home-field advantage with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, will almost certainly be playing their backups.
The Miami Dolphins (8–8) also remain alive for the AFC’s seventh seed after beating the Cleveland Browns (3–13), but must win in Week 18 and get a loss from Denver next weekend. Cincinnati needs to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers (10–6) next week, and get losses from both the Dolphins and Broncos.
Meanwhile, the NFC is still in flux. The Philadelphia Eagles (13–3), Detroit Lions (13–2), Minnesota Vikings (14–2) and Green Bay Packers (11–5) are all in, but none have wrapped up seeding.
The Washington Commanders (11–5) beat the Atlanta Falcons (8–8) on Sunday night to clinch their first playoff berth since 2020, which also clinched the NFC West for the Los Angeles Rams (10–6) via a potential strength of victory tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks.
SUNDAYCommanders 30, Falcons 24 (OT)
My take: Washington (11–5) reached the postseason on Sunday night, with Jayden Daniels’s legs leading the way. Daniels ran for 127 yards and threw for another 227 and three touchdowns, including the game-winning dart to veteran tight end Zach Ertz. For Atlanta (8–8), the loss is crushing. The Falcons now need to beat Carolina next weekend and then hope that Tampa Bay somehow falls to New Orleans. It’s a longshot at best, and likely spells doom for Atlanta in 2024.
Stock up: Daniels is incredible. Despite having multiple backup offensive linemen in front of him, Daniels was able to extend drives with his legs while amassing 354 total yards to lead the Commanders into the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Stock down: Raheem Morris must be held to account for how regulation ended. He walked away from the fourth quarter with a timeout in his pocket while letting a ton of time elapse on the final drive. It made no sense, and it might have cost Atlanta a playoff spot.
Up Next: Panthers at Falcons; Commanders at Cowboys
Vikings 27, Packers 25
My take: Minnesota (14–2) has set up a winner-take-all situation in Week 18. The Vikings held on to beat Green Bay (11–5), continuing to give themselves control of their own destiny. For Minnesota, a win next weekend over Detroit would not only give it the NFC North title, but also home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This will be a rematch of Week 7, which the Lions won 31–29 on a last-minute field goal. As for the Packers, they will either be the sixth or seventh seed, depending on whether they can beat out Washington.
Stock up: Sam Darnold deserves far, far more acclaim. Against Green Bay, he threw for a career-high 377 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He outplayed Jordan Love, who threw for less than half of Darnold’s yardage with 185.
Stock down: Green Bay has invested a slew of cap space and early-round picks into its front seven, and the unit failed Sunday. The Packers only amassed one sack and four quarterback hits in defeat.
Up Next: Bears at Packers; Vikings at Lions
