NFC Playoff Picture Week 16: 3 Spots remain after 49ers, Cowboys, Eagles, and Vikings all qualify

The NFC Playoff Picture is beginning to take shape at the conclusion of Week 15. The 2022 NFL season opened with 16 NFC teams battling it out for seven spots in the playoffs, including four division winners and three wild card teams. Entering Week 16, nine teams are fighting for three spots as four have clinched and three more have been officially eliminated from contention.

Two teams from the NFC East division have already clinched a berth in the NFC Playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Chicago Bears to punch their ticket, while Jalen Hurts continues hi campaign fro the 2022 NFL MVP award. The Dallas Cowboys were upset in Week 15 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but mathematically clinched a spot in the playoffs when the New York Giants defeated the Washington Commanders.

The San Francisco 49ers clinched the NFC West division when they defeated the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football behind another dominant defensive performance. The final team to clinch a playoff berth, the Minnesota Vikings, did so in spectacular fashion. They clinched the NFC North division by completing the greatest comeback in NFL history. Kirk Cousins led the Vikings in overcoming a 33 point deficit against the Indianapolis Colts.

Only three teams have been eliminated from the NFC Playoff race. The Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals will both be going home early this season. While Justin Fields has been a pleasant surprise for the Bears, Kyler Murray has been one of the most disappointing quarterbacks during the 2022 NFL season. The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams have also been eliminated following a disastrous season plagued by injuries and regression.

NFC Playoffs standings entering NFL Week 16

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Here are the full NFC Playoffs standings for all 16 teams entering Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season. The top four teams are the current division leaders, followed by all of the teams in the Wild Card race, including tie breakers.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) - clinched playoff berth
2. Minnesota Vikings (11-3) - clinched NFC North
3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) - clinched NFC West
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-4) - clinched playoff berth
6. New York Giants (9-4-1)
7. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
9. Detroit Lions (7-7)
10. Green Bay Packers (6-8)
11. Carolina Panthers (5-9)
12. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
13. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
14. Arizona Cardinals (4-10) - eliminated
15. Los Angeles Rams (4-10) - eliminated
16. Chicago Bears (3-11) - eliminated

Will Tom Brady's Buccaneers qualify for the playoffs?

The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys will feature in one of the most important games during Week 16. If the Eagles can find a way to a victory, they will clinch everything. This includes the NFC East division title, one seed in the NFC Playoffs, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage.

As it currently stands, the Eagles are in control of the top seed in the NFC Playoffs with three games remaining in the 2022 regular season. Here are the three current NFC matchups for the Wild Card round:

Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Commanders

San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys

While Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to struggle this year, they still currently hold a playoff spot. The NFC South division has been so bad that the Buccaneers are still leading the way. If they hold their lead, they will play a home game during the first round of the NFC Playoffs. They are currently lined up to face off against the Cowboys, but everything can still change for all teams with three weeks to go.