NFC Playoff picture: What Eagles, Cowboys, 49ers need to win No. 1 seed
The No. 1 seed in the NFC will be on the line between the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. Here’s how each team can clinch the first-round bye.
Week 17 has concluded for the NFC, and there are now six teams that have clinched a spot in the playoff. The New York Giants clinched the No. 6 seed with their 38-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The No. 7 seed will be on the line in Week 18, and so will the top seed in the NFC.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers all have an opportunity to clinch the top seed in the conference and carry home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
That comes as the Eagles lost 20-10 to the New Orleans Saints in their second game without quarterback Jalen Hurts. Meanwhile, the Cowboys defeated the Tennessee Titans 27-13 on Thursday Night Football, and the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jarrett Stidham-led Las Vegas Raiders 37-34 in overtime.
So, how can each team clinch the top seed in Week 18? Here’s all of the scenarios.
How the Eagles can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 18
Philadelphia has, perhaps, the easiest path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they are to defeat the Giants in Week 18, they will automatically secure the No. 1 spot in the conference.
But if they do lose to the Giants, they can still clinch the top seed with a Cowboys loss to the Washington Commanders and a 49ers loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The thing is, the Giants have already clinched the No. 6 seed in the conference. They have no way of rising and falling in terms of playoff seeding. So, there may be the chance that the Giants opt to rest their starters for the postseason in Week 18.
How the Cowboys can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 18
The Cowboys will need the most help out of the three teams to secure home field advantage in the playoffs. The only way they can make this a reality is if they defeat the Commanders, the Eagles lose to the Giants, and the 49ers lose to the Cardinals.
That’s right, Cowboys fans, you’ll have to pay attention to three games in Week 18 to see if Dallas can secure the top seed.
How the 49ers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 18
For the 49ers to clinch the top seed, they will need to defeat the Cardinals, who are currently on a six-game losing streak following their Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Besides that, the 49ers will have to root for the Giants to defeat the Eagles.
It would be quite the story if the 49ers clinched home-field advantage after starting three different quarterbacks this season due to injury. Can “Mr. Irrelevant” Brock Purdy pull it off? It would be some story if he does.
