With 12 weeks of the 2022 NFL regular season roughly on the books, the image of the playoffs is now on everyone’s mind. We expect a wild finish in both the NFC and AFC as multiple teams are poised to make strong runs to secure one of three wildcard spots in each conference.
Now that we’re in the final stages of the regular season, the top teams in every conference are poised to clinch a playoff berth or even a division crown. In fact, there are two NFC teams that can earn playoff spots in Week 13. Let’s take a look at who they are and how they can officially earn a playoff spot, according to NFL.com.
How: PHI gain + WAS loss + SEA loss + SF loss
With where we are now, the entire NFC East is in the playoffs! The 10-1 Eagles are considered the best team in the division, and they can clinch a playoff spot this week by beating the Tennessee Titans, losing the Washington Commanders to the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks lose to the Los Angeles Rams. and the Miami Dolphins lose to the San Francisco 49ers. Philly needs all four things to happen to officially clinch a playoff spot.
The Eagles certainly have a chance of making that bet, but it would be surprising to see the Seahawks fall to the lowly Rams 3-8. Seattle is coming off a tough overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Pete Carroll will definitely want to get back in the win column. The Eagles will of course be more focused on running the business against a feisty Titans side who are great at running the ball and defending the run as well. Add in the AJ Brown revenge factor, and Titans-Eagles could be the game of the week.
How: MIN gain + DET loss
The New Kings of the North! First-year head coach Kevin O’Connell has brought some much-needed energy to this Vikings franchise, and they’ve been on the verge of securing their Premier League title since 2017. They just need a win on Sunday and of a loss to the Detroit Lions. The Vikings this week host a New York Jets team that has found new life with Zach Wilson’s bench. Mike White stepped in at quarterback on Sunday and, despite the rainy weather, completed 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-10 win over the Chicago Bears. New York has one of the best defenses in the NFL, and now a capable quarterback who makes the most of the Jets’ weapons.
If the Vikings are to clinch the NFC North this week, they will also need the rival Lions to lose at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence is coming off one of the best games of his young NFL career, as he led a spectacular comeback against the Baltimore Ravens. He completed 29 of 37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns, while Zay Jones exploded for 145 receiving yards on 11 catches. This Jaguars team is heading in the right direction, but the same can be said for the Lions, who gave the Buffalo Bills their all on Thanksgiving.
