The Philadelphia Eagles have clinched a playoff spot, but thanks to a late-season collapse, Nick Sirianni’s team will await Week 18 results to see where they will be traveling and who they will play.
After losing the No. 1 overall seed a few weeks ago, the Eagles lost the chance to control their destiny in the No. 2 or No. 3 spots after an embarrassing loss to the Cardinals.
Depending on who wins or loses in the final week of the NFL regular season, Philadelphia could face New Orleans, Tampa Bay, or Atlanta in road matchups against the No. 4 seed from the AFC South.
If the Cowboys lose and the Eagles win in Week 18, the Birds could potentially face the Rams, Packers, Seahawks, or Vikings.
With preparation underway, who should Philadelphia want to face on Wild Card Weekend?
NFC playoff matchups entering Week 18
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Dallas Cowboys
(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Detroit Lions
(5) Philadelphia Eagles at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wild-card round bye: (1) San Francisco 49ers
If the scenarios remain the same, the Eagles would travel back to Raymond James Stadium for their second matchup with the Buccaneers this season, and their second postseason matchup since 2021.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Week 18 matchup: at Carolina on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Tampa Bay will clinch the NFC South title with a win OR a tie plus a New Orleans loss or tie.
How the Bucs can clinch a playoff berth:
Tampa Bay tie + Seattle loss + Green Bay loss or tie
The two teams met on Monday Night Football in Week 3, with the Eagles coming away with a 25-11 road win.
The matchup was actually a precursor for inconsistency to come, with Philadelphia leading 13-3 at halftime after struggling to find their offensive identity.
Jalen Hurts threw for a touchdown, ran for another and led the Eagles on a game-ending drive that lasted more than nine minutes while running out the clock.
This would be a good matchup for Philadelphia, one they’d be favored in, and a game where Baker Mayfield and company could certainly pull the upset.
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Week 18 matchup: at New Orleans on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Atlanta will clinch the NFC South title with a win plus a Tampa Bay loss.
Atlanta is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017 — and with coach Arthur Smith’s future in question — the Falcons (7-9) were blown out, 37-17 on the road by Chicago (7-9) in Week 17.
Taylor Heinicke threw for 163 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. He scrambled 24 yards for a TD early in the fourth quarter to cut it to 27-17 before exiting with an ankle injury.
The Falcons are still a year or two away, but for an Eagles team looking to regain their confidence, a Wild Card matchup against an 8-9 Atlanta squad could be what the doctor ordered.
This scenario needs some help.
New Orleans Saints (8-8)
Week 18 matchup: vs. Atlanta on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
New Orleans will clinch the NFC South title with a win plus a Tampa Bay loss or tie OR a tie plus a Tampa Bay loss.
How the Saints can clinch a playoff berth:
New Orleans win + Seattle loss or tie + Green Bay loss or tie OR
New Orleans tie + Seattle loss + Green Bay loss
In Week 17, Derek Carr threw for 2 touchdowns and the Saints defeated the Buccaneers, 23-13, moving into a tie in the NFC South standings.
New Orleans (8-8) intercepted Baker Mayfield twice and also forced two fumbles.
If the Bucs lose to the Panthers, the winner of the season finale between the Saints and Atlanta Falcons (7-9) in New Orleans will win the NFC South and likely host the Eagles the following week.
Like Atlanta, New Orleans would offer Philadelphia a winnable opportunity on the road to open up the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Week 18 matchup: at Arizona on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth:
Seattle win + Green Bay loss or tie OR
Seattle tie + Green Bay loss + Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
Seattle tie + Green Bay loss + New Orleans loss or tie
Seattle allowed 202 yards rushing and 468 total yards as Pittsburgh became the sixth straight opponent to rush for at least 135 yards against the Seahawks in Week 17.
Seattle (8-8) had its two-game win streak snapped and will need a victory and a lot of help in Week 18 to make the postseason.
Geno Smith threw for 290 yards and a 12-yard touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first half. Kenneth Walker III added 53 yards rushing and a 13-yard touchdown in the first half, but the Seahawks were held to three field goals in the second half in the 30-23 loss.
The Eagles would need a win over the Giants and a Cowboys loss to the Commanders for this scenario to potentially play out.
Seattle traveled to Philadelphia a few weeks ago, coming away with a win, and this is a matchup most fans would hope to avoid.
Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Week 18 matchup: vs. Chicago on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth:
Green Bay win OR
Green Bay tie + Seattle loss or tie + New Orleans loss or tie OR
Green Bay tie + Seattle loss + Tampa Bay loss OR
Green Bay tie + Seattle tie + Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
Minnesota loss or tie + Seattle loss + Tampa Bay loss OR
Minnesota loss or tie + Seattle loss + New Orleans loss
The Packers have won two games in a row and remain in the NFC playoff picture after defeating the Vikings.
Jordan Love was 14-20 passing in the first half, for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
Philadelphia would again need to land the No. 2 or No. 3 seed for this matchup to potentially take place.
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Week 18 matchup: at Detroit on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Vikings can clinch a playoff berth:
Minnesota win + Green Bay loss + Seattle loss + Tampa Bay loss OR
Minnesota win + Green Bay loss + Seattle loss + New Orleans loss
Kirk Cousins was back, but only in the capacity of leading the SKOL chant, and it wasn’t enough as Green Bay jumped out to a 23-3 lead over Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings need a lot of help to even consider any playoff matchups. Like Tampa Bay, Minnesota would be a rematch of an early season win for Philadelphia.
