EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings (13-2) have won eight consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 5-13 of the 2017 season.

Minnesota secured the NFC North that year with a 13-3 mark. The league expanded to 17-game regular seasons in 2021.

The Vikings can claim the division crown again if they win this week against the Packers and in Week 18 at Detroit.

The Lions also improved to 13-2 over the weekend and have tiebreakers on the Vikings if both squads finish with the same record.

According to NFL Media Research, the Vikings and the Lions are the first teams in NFL history to enter Week 17 with 13-plus wins and not have an outright lead in a division.

Minnesota's 27-24 win at Seattle was its first in the Pacific Northwest and improved the Vikings to 7-1 at outdoor venues (6-1 as the road team) and 8-1 in one-score games this season.

The Vikings are 25-9 in one-score games in three seasons under Head Coach Kevin O'Connell.

The Vikings and Lions also received some help Sunday when Washington (10-5) rallied to defeat Philadelphia (12-3).

The Packers (11-4) clinched a berth in the playoffs on Monday by manhandling the Saints 34-0 at Lambeau Field. The best Green Bay can do, however, is the No. 5 seed if the Packers win out and the Vikings lose out.

Minnesota, Detroit and Philadelphia are guaranteed playoff berths, but they are continuing to vie for the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs, which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout.

The top four seeds in the AFC and NFC go to division winners. If the season ended today, the Vikings would be the No. 5 seed in the NFC Playoffs (this is the same status the team has had in the previous three weeks since we fired up this series).

Since the NFL expanded the playoffs in 2020, No. 2 seeds now play on Super Wild Card Weekend.

If the postseason started today, Philadelphia would host Washington in the 2-7 matchup, the Los Angeles Rams would host Green Bay in the 3-6, and Atlanta would host Minnesota in the 4-5.

Sixteen of the 32 NFL teams have records of 8-7 or better, and nine have at least 10 wins with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Thirteen clubs have officially been eliminated from making the playoffs. The Patriots, Jaguars, Raiders and Giants were eliminated before Week 14. The Browns, Jets and Titans joined the group jockeying for position in the 2025 NFL Draft before Week 15.

The Bears and Panthers were eliminated during Week 15. The Cowboys, Cardinals, 49ers and Saints also are planning January vacations.

Here's a look at the current NFC playoff picture — with conference standings and a status update — as we head into Week 17.

Already Punched a Ticket & Vying for Seeding

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)

Remaining Schedule

12/30 @ 49ers (6-9)

1/5/25 Vikings (13-2)

Status: Detroit rebounded from its loss to Buffalo by fake fumbling and stumbling (seriously, they did this in a pro football game) for a win at Chicago. The Lions can lose this week's rematch of last season's NFC Championship yet still win the top seed if they defeat the Vikings in Week 18.

Can clinch division with …

A Lions win at San Francisco + a Vikings loss to Green Bay

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 Cowboys (7-8)

1/5/25 Giants (2-13)

Status: The Eagles had their NFL-leading 10-game win streak snapped by getting outscored by the Commanders 22-6 in the fourth quarter at Washington. Saquon Barkley became the first player to rush for 100-plus yards and two-plus touchdowns in a first quarter since former Viking Adrian Peterson did so in 2012 en route to earning NFL MVP. He also tied Peterson and Jim Brown (1963) for the most rushing touchdowns of 60-plus yards in a season with his fourth such scamper.

Can clinch division with …

An Eagles win or tie against the Cowboys

A Commanders loss or tie against the Falcons

5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 Packers (11-4)

1/5/25 @ Lions (13-2)

Status: Sam Darnold led his fifth game-winning drive of 2024, which trails only Patrick Mahomes (seven). He posted his 12^th game this season with a passer rating above 100, which is tied with Lamar Jackson for the most in the NFL in 2024 and equal to his total from 2018-23. Oh yeah, he also tied Peyton Manning (2012 with Denver) and Steve McNair (2006 with Baltimore) for the most wins (13) by a QB in his first season with a new team. Looks like I just put him in the conversation (or at least the same paragraph) as four previous NFL MVP winners.

Just keep winning …

The Vikings can't clinch the division unless they go 1-0 this week. The team has been very good at focusing on the current obstacle so far this December.

6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 @ Vikings (13-2)

1/5/25 Bears (4-11)

Status: The Packers have scored at least 30 points in each of their past five games, including Monday's easy breezy against the team from the Big Easy. Green Bay is 10-1 vs. teams outside the NFC North this season, with its only loss occurring against Philadelphia in Brazil in Week 1.

Vying for the No. 5 …

The Packers have been holding steady at the No. 6 seed as the Vikings have remained at No. 5. Green Bay could stay put, move up a notch or fall to No. 7, but the Packers are guaranteed to be a Wild Card team.

Current Division Leaders

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

Remaining Schedule

12/28 Cardinals (7-8)

1/5/25 Seahawks (8-7)

Status: Matthew Stafford has won two consecutive games with fewer than 200 passing yards for the first time in his career. Kyren Williams helped with his 10^th career 100-yard game, which is tied for third in the NFL since 2023. The back-to-back defensive efforts the past two weeks marked the first time the Rams have held opponents under 10 points since 2015 when the franchise was still in St. Louis.

Can clinch division with …

A win against Arizona + a Seahawks loss or tie against the Bears

A win + clinching strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle (would also require 3.5 or more wins from the combination of Vikings, Bills, 49ers, Commanders, Bengals and Browns)

A tie + a loss by Seattle

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 @ Commanders (10-5)

1/5/25 Panthers (4-11)

Status: According to Next Gen Stats, 43.8 percent of passes thrown by Michael Penix, Jr., in his debut first half traveled at least 10 air yards. He totaled 110 yards in his first 30 minutes of NFL action. The Falcons are back to controlling their destiny in the race for the NFC South, and this week should provide an interesting matchup on Sunday Night Football.

Can clinch division with …

A win at Washington + a Tampa Bay loss against Carolina

Could be a Wild Card or Division Champ

7. Washington Commanders (10-5)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 Falcons (8-7)

1/5/25 @ Cowboys (7-8)

Status: Washington edged Philadelphia for its first win in which it committed at least five giveaways since 2002 and first victory in the Super Bowl era when turning the ball over at least five times and allowing 30-plus points. Jayden Daniels joined Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton as the only NFL players to throw five touchdowns and rush for at least 75 yards in a game. Seems like Offensive Rookie of the Year material should be on lock.

In the playoffs with …

A Commanders win or tie against the Falcons

A Buccaneers loss or tie

Wins the NFC East if …

The Commanders win out and the Eagles lose out

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 Panthers (4-11)

1/5/25 Saints (5-10)

Status: The Buccaneers tried to rally from a 12-point deficit the Cowboys built midway through the fourth quarter and scored the final 10 points of the game. Tampa Bay's comeback attempt, however, was lost at sea when Rachaad White lost a fumble to start its final drive. Now the Bucs need help to win the NFC South or a Wild Card berth.

Will be waiting all day for Sunday Night …

The Buccaneers will be glued to the outcome of the game between the Commanders and the Falcons. A Washington win will knock Tampa Bay out of the Wild Card race but increase the Bucs chances (as long as they start Sunday by defeating the Panthers) of claiming the NFC South.

Must Win Division to Make Playoffs

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

Remaining Schedule

12/26 @ Bears (4-11)

1/5/25 @ Rams (9-6)

Status: Seattle lost consecutive home games to the Packers and Vikings, finishing its home slate with a 3-6 mark. The Seahawks will try to keep alive their faint hopes for the postseason in Chicago on Thursday.

Will win NFC West if …

Seattle must win its final two games, and the L.A. Rams must lose both of their final two contests.

Eliminated and Searching January Travel Deals

10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 @ Eagles (12-3)

1/5/25 Commanders (10-5)

Status: Dallas was knocked out before its Week 16 kickoff against Tampa Bay (when Washington topped Philadelphia). The Cowboys can now have a significant role in how things turn out for two bitter division rivals. Brandon Aubrey made multiple field goals from 58-plus yards for the second time in his career. He's the first in NFL history to accomplish that feat and has set a single-season record with 14 made field goals from 50-plus.

11. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

Remaining Schedule

12/28 @ Rams (9-6)

1/5/25 49ers (6-9)

Status: Rushing for 206 yards as the Cardinals did last week at Carolina is almost a surefire path to victory — unless the same team allows 243 on the ground. Arizona lost for the fourth time in five games since their Week 11 bye.

12. San Francisco 49ers (7-8)

Remaining Schedule

12/30 Lions (13-2)

1/5/25 @ Cardinals (7-8)

Status: The 49ers have lost five of their past six games, including by 3 to the Seahawks, 28 to the Packers, 25 to the Bills, 6 to the Rams and 12 at the Dolphins. Talk about a Super Bowl hangover. If the Vikings don't take care of business against the Packers on Sunday Night Football, they'll need help from the Niners against the Lions to set up a Week 18 battle in Detroit for the NFC North. If the Vikings defeat the Packers, then the San Francisco-Detroit game will not affect Minnesota in the standings.

13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 Raiders (2-13)

1/5/25 @ Buccaneers (8-7)

Status: The Saints reportedly tried prepping for Lambeau Field by spending time in a walk-in cooler, but the outcome was New Orleans becoming the first team shutout in 2024.

14. Chicago Bears (4-11)

Remaining Schedule

12/26 Seahawks (8-7)

1/5/25 @ Packers (11-4)

Status: The Bears losing streak has reached nine games and is the second longest in franchise history. If Chicago is going to match the franchise record of 14 from Week 8 of 2022 to Week 4 of 2023, the downturn will have to carry into the 2025 season.

15. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 @ Buccaneers (8-7)

1/5/25 @ Falcons (8-7)

Status: Maybe the Panthers should try to take every game to overtime. Carolina is 2-1 in such games this season.

16. New York Giants (2-13)

Remaining Schedule

12/29 Colts (7-8)

1/5/25 @ Eagles (12-3)

Status: The Giants only need to outscore the Colts and Eagles by 147 points to avoid their eighth consecutive season with a negative point differential. Big Blue has dropped 10 consecutive games, including four by more than 20 points.