Full 2018 NFL Playoff and Seeding Odds Entering Week 17

NFC Playoff and Seeding Odds

Things aren't quite as wacky in the NFC as in the AFC, but there's still a couple of big things to be decided. Let's take a look at that, again in the order of how the teams are currently seeded.

New Orleans Saints

Playoff Odds: 100%

Division Odds: 100%

Seeding Possibilities: 1 seed (100%)

The Saints have the 1 seed on lock and should likely be resting players this week. Time to see what Teddy Bridgewater has after a couple of years on the shelf.

Los Angeles Rams

Playoff Odds: 100%

Division Odds: 100%

Seeding Possibilities: 2 seed (91.43%), 3 seed (8.57%)

If the Los Angeles Rams win against the San Francisco 49ers, the 2 seed and a first-round bye are theirs. If not, they can still lock this spot down.

In order to get bumped down to the 3 seed, the Rams would also need the Chicago Bears to defeat the Vikings. With that game in Minnesota (and the Bears potentially missing Allen Robinson, Bryce Callahan, and Eddie Jackson), the algorithms see the Bears winning 40.76% of the time. As such, even if we assume the Rams lose (21.03% odds), they'd still have a 59.24% shot at a first-round bye. It may be in their best interest to let Todd Gurley rest again and take their chances without him.

Chicago Bears

Playoff Odds: 100%

Division Odds: 100%

Seeding Possibilities: 2 seed (8.57%), 3 seed (91.43%)

As mentioned, the Bears are pretty banged up as they head to Minnesota. Their odds of getting that first-round bye are pretty slim at 8.57%. It might not be a terrible idea to let guys like Robinson and Jackson just get healthy.

There's another angle to consider here, as well. If the Bears do wind up losing this week, their most likely opponent would be -- once again -- the Vikings. There would be an 87.32% chance at a rematch with the other 12.68% being a date with the Seattle Seahawks if they were to lose to the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Matt Nagy may be best suited keeping his top schemes in a box for a week in preparation for seeing the Vikings again one week later.

Dallas Cowboys

Playoff Odds: 100%

Division Odds: 100%

Seeding Possibilities: 4 seed (100%)

Jerry Jones says the Cowboys will play their healthy players in Week 17 against the New York Giants with nothing on the line. Sure, buddy. We definitely believe you.

Instead, they'll likely be sitting Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper to gear up for next week in what will likely be a match against the next team on our list.

Seattle Seahawks

Playoff Odds: 100%

Division Odds: 0%

Seeding Possibilities: 5 seed (92.49%), 6 seed (7.51%)

Right now, the Seahawks have 92.49% odds of squaring off with the Cowboys in Jerry World. The one scenario in which that wouldn't happen would be if they were to lose to the Cardinals while the Vikings defeated the Bears.

Just playing for one seeding of difference may not seem like a lot, but it does make sense for the Seahawks to put forth a good effort on Sunday. The Cowboys are 15th in numberFire's power rankings entering Week 17. The Rams and Bears -- the two other teams the Seahawks could possibly face -- are second and third, respectively, trailing only the Saints. Don't be shocked if Pete Carroll leaves guys like Russell Wilson in the entire game Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings

Playoff Odds: 71.46%

Division Odds: 0%

Seeding Possibilities: 5 seed (7.51%), 6 seed (63.95%)

There are two scenarios that can get the Vikings into the playoffs despite a disappointing season. The first is a win over the Bears, which numberFire's algorithms see happening 59.24% of the time. The second is a loss by the Eagles, which isn't nearly as likely.

Right now, the odds of an Eagles victory over Washington are 70.02%. With how well Nick Foles has played and the fact that Washington is starting Josh Johnson, you can see why this is the case. As such, the Vikings' playoff odds dip to 29.98% if they lose.

The positive for the Vikings is that they'll play this game at home. Just two of their six post-bye games have come in Minneapolis, and the Vikings won those by a combined score of 65-34. Combine that with all of the Bears' injuries, and things don't look terrible for the Purple People Eaters even if a playoff berth is far from a sure thing.

Philadelphia Eagles

Playoff Odds: 28.54%

Division Odds: 0%

Seeding Possibilities: 6 seed (28.54%)

The Eagles need a win and some help to make the playoffs. As mentioned, their win odds against Washington are 70.02%, but the Vikings' win odds against the Bears are 59.24%. That does still leave a 28.54% chance that the Eagles are playing next weekend.

If this does happen, the Eagles will be the 6 seed and most likely facing the Bears. They would face the Bears 78.97% of the time with the Rams occupying the other 21.03% of that pie. For this week, though, the Eagles know what they need to do. They need to get a win against Washington, and the rest is in the hands of Nagy and the Bears.