Vikings playoff chances hanging by a thread; Packers are in with a win next week

The No. 1 seed is claimed, but the NFC playoff picture remains a bit blurry. The NFC East and NFC South titles will come down to the final week of the season, and the last wild-card spot is very much up for grabs, even for the Vikings, who avoided elimination when Seattle lost Sunday.

The four division winners get the top four seeds regardless of record. The No. 1 seed gets a first-round playoff bye; the other six seeds play on the opening weekend of the playoffs (Jan. 13-15, which includes a "Monday Night Football" playoff game).

49ers, 12-4: Clinched No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with win over Washington and Philadelphia's loss to Arizona. Up next: vs. Rams.

Cowboys, 11-5: Beat Detroit on Saturday for a key tiebreaker, then took the NFC East lead when the Eagles lost Sunday. Up next: at Commanders.

Lions, 11-5: NFC North champs will be stewing for awhile if the controversial officiating at the end of their loss to Dallas costs them home field. Up next: vs. Vikings.

Buccaneers, 8-8; Saints 8-8: NFC South will come down to the final weekend after New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 23-13 on Sunday. The Bucs own the tiebreaker, so can clinch the division with a win vs. Carolina next week.

Eagles, 11-5: In the playoffs, but big questions returned after a home loss to 4-12 Arizona knocked them off the top of the East. Up next: at Giants.

Rams, 9-7: Won 26-25 Sunday after the Giants missed a two-point conversion and a field goal in the final 3:27, then clinched a wild-card berth when Seattle lost. Up next: at 49ers.

Packers, 8-8: After Sunday's convincing win over the Vikings, Green Bay will make the playoffs with a win next week. Up next: at Bears.

Seahawks, 8-8: Swung the door for the final wild-card spot wide open with a loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Up next: at Cardinals.

Saints, 8-8; Buccaneers, 8-8: Because of various tiebreakers, it is unlikely a South team claims a wild card.

Vikings, 7-9: Damaging stretch has left their playoff odds hanging by a thread. They need to win next week and get a lot of help. Up next: at Lions.

Falcons, 7-9: Suffered a blowout loss to the Bears but somehow can still win the South if they beat New Orleans next week and the Bucs lose. Up next: at Saints.