The final Wild Card spot in the NFC comes down to three teams: the Seattle Seahawks, the Green Bay Packers, and the Detroit Lions. Who will clinch? Let’s take a look. 

Seattle Seahawks

Week 18 Opponent: LA Rams (5-11)

Playoff Scenario: Can clinch with a win AND a Packers loss

The Seahawks kept their playoff hopes alive last weekend with a win over the struggling Jets. Kenneth Walker was a beast from the first handoff, rushing for 60 yards in his first carry en route to a 133 rushing-yard performance, and Geno Smith was efficient enough, tossing two touchdowns and no interceptions.

If the Seahawks wish to clinch a postseason berth, they will need the Detroit Lions to defeat the Green Bay Packers. First, they must defeat the LA Rams, who have been playing well in recent weeks. Should the Seahawks win, they will be rooting heavily for the Lions on Sunday night.

Unfortunately for the Seahawks, the NFL flexed the Lions-Packers matchup to primetime Sunday night. If Seattle does indeed beat the Rams, there is a good chance that the Lions will be deflated after learning their fate that they are eliminated with a Seahawks victory. It was a nice season for the Seahawks, especially following the offseason trade of franchise QB Russell Wilson, but a collapse in the year’s second half doomed Seattle.

Prediction: Seahawks lose to the Rams, ending their season.

Green Bay Packers

Week 18 Opponent: Detroit Lions (8-8)

Playoff Scenario: Can clinch with a win

The Packers roared back after many declared their 2022 season over weeks earlier. Aaron Rodgers proved Father Time is not only on Tom Brady’s side but his as well. This Packers team is entirely different from the squad that looked lost at times this season and dropped games to inferior opponents such as the Jets and the Commanders. The defense has stepped up, refusing to concede more than 20 points to their opponents during the four-game win streak, and Rodgers has developed solid chemistry with rookies Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. 

Perhaps no team in the NFC is playing with as much confidence as the Packers at the moment. What gives Green Bay a significant advantage over the other two remaining teams competing for the final Wild Card spot is Rodgers. His veteran leadership and experience should provide a calming effect for the younger players new to competing in win-or-go-home games like Sunday’s showdown. 

I like the Packers’ chances against the Lions this weekend. Not only is there a revenge factor since Detroit won the first matchup between these two squads earlier this season, but the Lions have struggled in Green Bay in recent years. Forget covering the spread. All the Packers need to do is win.

Prediction: Packers win and advance to the playoffs.

Detroit Lions

Week 18 Opponent: Green Bay Packers (8-8)

Playoff Scenario: Need a win vs. Green Bay AND a Seattle loss

The Detroit Lions surprised many this season. After a 1-6 start, the Lions turned their season around quickly, winning seven of their next nine games. Jared Goff stepped up to prove he still is capable of being a franchise quarterback while the defense vastly improved behind rookie DE Aidan Hutchinson. Head coach Dan Campbell refused to back down from early season criticism and inserted his name into the Coach of the Year conversation.

However, a Week 3 loss to the Seahawks may have doomed the Lions’ season. For the Lions to clinch the final Wild Card spot, they need to win and the LA Rams to defeat the Seahawks in Seattle. Due to scheduling, the Lions may learn their fate before kickoff since their matchup versus Green Bay was flexed to Sunday night.

Nevertheless, if Seattle loses (which is plausible), the Lions will have to beat the Packers to secure the final playoff position.

I’ve been on the Lions all season and picked them to go over their projected win total as determined by Vegas (which was 7). Yet, I feel their season comes to an end on Sunday. Whether or not the Seahawks lose, it will be a daunting battle against a red-hot Packers team that can smell the playoffs. It will be a raucous crowd in Green Bay, and temperatures will sink to the low-20s by nightfall. Goff struggles in cold weather, which doesn’t bode well for the offense. It’s a shame the Lions dropped too many one-score games at the beginning of the season. They are a fun team to watch.

Prediction: Lions lose to the Packers