The NFC top spot will hang between the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. Here’s how any team can qualify for the first round.
Week 17 has come to a close for the NFC and there are now six teams that have secured a playoff spot. The New York Giants took sixth place with a 38-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Seventh place will be up for grabs in Week 18, along with first place in the NFC.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers all have a chance to clinch first place in the conference and enjoy home-field advantage in the playoffs.
The Eagles lost 20-10 to the New Orleans Saints in their second game without quarterback Jalen Hurts. Meanwhile, the Cowboys beat the Tennessee Titans 27-13 on Thursday Night Football, and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Jarrett Stidham-led Las Vegas Raiders 37-34 in overtime.
So how can each team secure first place in week 18? Here are all the possible scenarios.
How the Eagles can take first place in the NFC in week 18.
Philadelphia has, perhaps, the easiest path to first place in the NFC. If they beat the Giants in Week 18, they will automatically earn first place in the conference.
But if they lose to the Giants, they can still secure first place if the Cowboys lose to the Washington Commanders and the 49ers lose to the Arizona Cardinals.
The problem is, the Giants have already grabbed sixth place in the conference. They have no way of moving up and down in terms of playoff standings. It could therefore be that the Giants choose to rest their starters for the postseason in Week 18.
How the Cowboys can take first place in the NFC in week 18.
The Cowboys will need the maximum help of the three teams to secure home field advantage in the playoffs. The only way for them to make that goal a reality is by beating the Commanders, which the Eagles lose to the Giants and the 49ers lose to the Cardinals.
That’s right, Cowboys fans, you’ll have to watch three games in Week 18 to see if Dallas can secure first place.
How the 49ers can secure first place in the NFC in week 18.
For the 49ers to clinch first place, they’ll need to beat the Cardinals, who are currently on a six-game losing streak following their Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Also, the 49ers will have to encourage the Giants to beat the Eagles.
It would be a great story if the 49ers got home field advantage after starting three different quarterbacks this season due to injuries. Can “Mr. Irrelevant” Brock Purdy do it? It would be a good story if he could do it.
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