It sure looked like the Philadelphia Eagles were going to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture well before the final week of the regular season. However, the team has now lost two consecutive games, with the latest coming during Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints, dropping Philadelphia to a 13-3 record this season.
That leaves the No. 1 seed within grasp for the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings are 12-3, while the 49ers are 11-4. Both teams are playing this afternoon. The Las Vegas Raiders host San Francisco while the Green Bay Packers host Minnesota.
Didn't see this coming a few weeks ago… Vikings, Cowboys & 49ers will go into week 18 still alive for the NFC's #1 seed…
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) January 1, 2023
Vikings and Niners have some added motivation for their games today - the No. 1 playoff spot in the NFC is within reach. Week 18 could be great as those teams plus the Eagles and Cowboys battling for the NFC East and the top playoff spot.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) January 1, 2023
The 49ers can't fall below their current playoff slot—the No. 3 seed. However, shockingly, both the No. 1 and No. 2 spots remain a possibility. San Francisco will need to continue their eight-game win streak and hope for the other two teams to stumble.
San Francisco entered Week 17's game as 9.5-point favorites over the Raiders.
