After Sunday's slate of Week 15 games, the playoff picture is beginning to come into focus in the NFC.
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Though a lot of it is still up in the air and there may be changes over the final two weeks of the season, things are continuing to take shape throughout the league. Four NFC teams have already clinched playoff berths, but there is still a lot to play for.
Here's a look at the latest playoff picture via seeding based on how the standings look entering Monday.
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1) Panthers (14-0)
Carolina clinched a first-round bye with its Week 15 victory over the Giants, but it has yet to clinch home-field thanks to Arizona (12-2) being on its heels. The Panthers can't finish any lower than No. 2 and have a road game with the Falcons (7-7) and a home tilt with the Buccaneers (6-8) standing in their way of an undefeated season.
2) Cardinals (12-2)
Arizona clinched the NFC West for the first time since 2008, marking its second straight playoff berth. The Cardinals haven't clinched a first-round bye yet thanks to the record of the Packers (10-4), whom they play next week at home. After the Packers, the Cardinals host the Seahawks (9-5). Arizona could finish first, second or third.
3) Packers (10-4)
Green Bay has clinched a playoff berth and could overtake Arizona for the second seed if it wins on Sunday and then again in Week 17 and the Cardinals lose out. The Packers are also battling the Vikings (9-5) for first place in the NFC North and host them in Week 17. If Minnesota surpasses Green Bay, it could fall to the fifth or sixth seed.
4) Redskins (7-7)
Someone has to win the NFC East, and right now, Washington is looking pretty good. The Giants (6-8) and Eagles (6-8) have the same record and will clash at MetLife Stadium in the regular season finale, while New York visits Minnesota next week. Philadelphia hosts Washington in Week 16 and visits the Giants in Week 17. Washington can clinch a playoff berth by defeating Philadelphia next week, while it will close out the regular season in Dallas.
5) Seahawks (9-5)
If things stay the way they are, Seattle will likely be a heavy favorite against whichever team emerges out of the NFC East, despite the Seahawks being on the road in the first round in that situation. Seattle has clinched a playoff berth, but has Minnesota (9-5) on its heels. The Seahawks own the tiebreaker based on their 38-7 victory in Week 13. Seattle could fall to sixth if Green Bay is ousted by Minnesota in the division and the Seahawks finish with a worse record or the same record as the Packers, based on tiebreakers. The Seahawks host the Rams in Week 16 and visit the Cardinals in Week 17. The Vikings host the Giants, then visit the Packers.
6) Vikings (9-5)
Minnesota is still chasing Green Bay in the NFC North and could surpass Seattle, which owns the tiebreaker, to win the fifth seed and an easier first-round matchup with the winner of the NFC East. The Vikings can finish third, fourth, fifth, sixth or miss the playoffs entirely.
The Rest
The Falcons (7-7), Giants (6-8) and Eagles (6-8) are all still technically alive, but need a lot of help to get in.
Playoff Picture
If the season ended today, here's how the matchups would break down.
Byes: No. 1 Carolina and No. 2 Arizona
Wild-Card Weekend: No. 6 Vikings at No. 3 Packers; No. 5 Seahawks at No. 4 Redskins
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