Following a dramatic overtime victory against the Falcons on “Sunday Night Football,” the Commanders have clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. You could argue that this is the Commanders’ first-ever playoff appearance, as the franchise was known as the “Washington Football Team” in their last playoff berth.
The Commanders may have locked up a spot in the playoffs already, but their playoff seed is still very much up in the air. With just one game to play, the Commanders are still jockeying for position with one other NFC wild-card team.
Washington will take a trip down to Dallas to close out the 2024 season. Even though their season is over after Week 18, the Cowboys would certainly love to pick up a win over a divisional rival.
As the Commanders’ final regular season game approaches, Sporting News has you covered with all of Washington’s playoff possibilities.
MORE NFL WEEK 18: Live NFL standings | NFL playoff scenarios | NFL Draft order
NFL playoff bracket 2025
Commanders playoff picture for Week 18
The Eagles clinched the NFC East title, meaning Washington no longer has the ability to earn a top-four seed, as these slots are reserved for divisional winners. The Commanders are locked into a wild-card spot, meaning they’re eligible to go into the playoffs as the No. 5, No. 6, or No. 7 seed, but with Minnesota or Detroit guaranteed of the five seed thanks to 14-2 records entering Week 18, it comes down to one of the final two spots for Washington.
Unfortunately, Washington’s place as a wild-card team means they won’t be hosting a game in the first round of the playoffs. Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and company will have to hit the road to pick up the franchise’s second playoff win this century.
MORE NFL WEEK 18:
How Commanders would clinch No. 7 seed
Heading into Week 18, the Commanders (11-5) hold the No. 6 seed, while the Packers (11-5) are the No. 7 seed. Even though the teams have the same record, Washington holds the conference record tiebreaker over Green Bay, so they are given the higher seed.
There is a rather cut-and-dry scenario where these two teams flip-flop seeds this week. If Washington loses (at Dallas) and Green Bay wins (vs. Chicago), the two teams will flip. Washington would enter the playoffs as the No. 7 seed while Green Bay would be No. 6.
How Commanders would clinch No. 6 seed
The path to the Commanders earning the No. 6 seed is relatively clear, as well.
The only situation where Washington moves out of the No. 6 seed is outlined above: Washington loses, Green Bay wins. In any other circumstance, Washington will hold onto the No. 6 seed.
MORE: Updated NFL power rankings entering Week 18
Commanders potential playoff opponents
The NFC playoff picture is unlikely to get a massive shake-up, so Commanders fans already have a pretty good idea of who they’ll face in the Wildcard Round.
Potential No. 6 seed opponents
If the Commanders remain in the No. 6 slot, they’ll face off with whichever team earns the No. 3 seed. Heading into Week 18, two teams are vying for the third seed, the Rams and Buccaneers.
In most outcomes this week, the Rams will hold the No. 3 seed. However, if Los Angeles loses (vs. Seattle) and Tampa Bay wins (vs. New Orleans), the Buccaneers will jump into the No. 3 spot.
NFL DRAFT NEWS:
No. 7 seed opponent
As outlined above, the Commanders will slide into the No. 7 seed if they lose and the Packers win this week. If that is indeed what happens, Washington’s wild-card round opponent becomes quite clear.
The Eagles have already locked themselves in the No. 2 seed, meaning they’ll play whoever is in the No. 7 slot. If that happens to be Washington, they’ll travel to Philadelphia for an NFC East clash in the playoffs.
Read the full article here