In the Week 16 Morning Aftermath, we pointed out that five teams were still in position to secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
With Minnesota’s 36-30 loss to the Bears in overtime on Monday night, the Saints nailed down the No. 1 position — leaving four teams to battle for second place.
The league has confirmed that, entering Week 17, the Vikings, Eagles, Cardinals, and Cowboys can earn the right to watch the four wild-card weekend games from their comfort of their own homes.
The Eagles control their destiny in this regard; if they beat the Cowboys on Sunday, the Eagles finish at No. 2 in the NFC.
The Vikings earn the bye with a win over the Giants and a loss or tie by the Eagles. (The Vikings also end up as the No. 2 seed if they tie the Giants and if the Eagles lose; given last night’s outcome, we probably should at least consider the possibility of the thing that Donovan McNabb didn’t realize could happen until November 2008.)
The Cardinals can swipe the bye if both the Vikings and the Eagles lose.
If the Vikings lose and the Cardinals lose (or tie), then the Cowboys get a week off and a home game in the divisional round by beating the Eagles.
So in a conference with all six playoff berths already determined, Week 17 will still entail plenty of potential drama.