When the 2024 NFL season ends, the NFC East will not have a repeat division champion for the past 20 years. While the winner isn’t decided yet, the Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) and Washington Commanders (10-5) have two weeks to make a final push for a divisional title, starting with their final 2024 matchup in Week 16.
Let’s look at the NFC East playoff scenarios and how the Eagles’ loss and Commanders’ win impacted the division.
NFC East Playoff Scenarios | Week 16 Update
At 12-3, the Eagles could have locked up the NFC East with a win over the Commanders. However, Jayden Daniels had other plans. Even after a five-turnover game, the Commanders came storming back and got a huge, last-second win against the Eagles. Additionally, Philadelphia lost their starting QB, Jalen Hurts, due to a concussion.
It was a great win, but Washington’s only chance of grabbing its first NFC East title since 2020 would be to win their next two games against the Falcons and Cowboys. The Eagles would then need to lose against the Cowboys and Giants.
No matter what happens, Philadelphia is guaranteed a playoff spot, but Washington still has work to do to clinch a playoff berth. The division is likely out of reach, and the Commanders will have to settle for a Wild Card spot with limited options. The domination of the NFC North in 2024 has the Minnesota Vikings (12-2) and Green Bay Packers (10-4) on the fast track to the fifth and sixth NFC seeds.
However, the Commanders’ win eliminated several teams from playoff contention, including their NFC East foes, the Dallas Cowboys, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Arizona Cardinals.
There are also outside chances from the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, who are still technically in the hunt. Washington head coach Dan Quinn will need the most of his squad during this two-game stretch to wrap up a Wild Card berth.
Head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to test various scenarios and see how they change the playoff picture and the current NFL postseason bracket.
NFC Playoff Race | Week 18
1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
In The Hunt
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
14. Chicago Bears (4-12)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
16. New York Giants (3-13)
