Game update: With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeating the New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers have clinched the NFC South.
How the Atlanta Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 18
The Atlanta Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 18
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
As a result, the Atlanta Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The final Sunday of the 2024 NFL regular season is here, and in the NFC, one playoff spot remains up for grabs.
A winner of the NFC South has yet to emerge, and both the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to win the division on the final day of the regular season.
Here is how the Falcons can claim the division title.
Atlanta Falcons NFC South clinching scenarios
The Falcons enter play on Sunday with an 8-8 record, one game behind the 9-7 Buccaneers. However, Atlanta swept the season series between the two teams, giving them a critical tiebreaker advantage.
Still, the Falcons will need more than just a win on Sunday to clinch the division.
To win the NFC South, the Falcons need a win over the Carolina Panthers, as well as a Buccaneers loss to the New Orleans Saints. If they get those two results, the Falcons are NFC South Champions.
Atlanta Falcons NFC seeding scenarios
If the Falcons get into the playoffs, they will go in as the No. 4 seed in the NFC. This is their only possible seed.
Atlanta Falcons elimination scenarios
While the Falcons can still win the division, Atlanta will be eliminated if the Buccaneers take care of business against the Saints. A Tampa Bay win or tie against New Orleans clinches the NFC South for the Buccaneers, and eliminates Atlanta.
Atlanta is also eliminated with a loss or a tie against Carolina.
NFC standings entering Week 18
1. x-Detroit Lions (14-2, win over MIN)
2. y-Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
3. y-Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. x-Minnesota Vikings (14-2, loss to DET)
6. x-Washington Commanders (11-5, 8-3 NFC)
7. x-Green Bay Packers (11-5, 6-5 NFC)
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7) — eliminated
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-9, 5-6 NFC) — eliminated
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-9, 3-8 NFC) — eliminated
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9, win over DAL) — eliminated
13. New Orleans Saints (5-11) — eliminated
14. Chicago Bears (4-11, win over CAR) — eliminated
15. Carolina Panthers (4-12, loss to CHI) — eliminated
16. New York Giants (3-13) — eliminated
Teams with an asterisk (*) have been eliminated from divisional contention
Teams with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Teams with a (y) have clinched their division
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