It’s Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season, with regular-season finales for every team. And wow was it a wild afternoon in the NFC playoff picture.

We now know all seven NFC playoff teams and what there seeds will be after the Detroit Lions convincingly beat the Minnesota Vikings to end the regular season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South Division with a fourth-quarter rally past the New Orleans Saints, eliminating the Atlanta Falcons from playoff contention.

And the Washington Commanders secured the 6-seed with a comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys, while the Packers stuck in the 7-seed. They lost to the Chicago Bears on a field goal on the game’s final play.

The Lions and Vikings topped off the regular season in a monster matchup in Detroit, with the Lions earning the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and homefield advantage in the NFC playoffs all the way to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

GAME PICKS:Who will Lions play in NFL playoffs? Predictions for wild-card round

The Vikings now falls to the No. 5 seed and will face the Rams, whose backups lost on Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks, giving the Bucs the No. 3 seed.

Here are live updates as we keep an eye on the Sunday afternoon games in the NFC with playoff implications. Find all game scores. Read further for playoff information.

Detroit Lions earn 1-seed with dominant second half; final NFC playoff bracket

With the season on the line, the Lions crushed the Lions in the second half en route to a 31-9 win. They outscored the Vikings, 21-3, in the second half to lock up the 1-seed in the NFC and a much-needed bye week. With that, the playoff picture was solidified.

The Lions are the 1-seed, the Eagles are the 2-seed, the Bucs are the 3-seed, the Rams are the 4-seed, the Vikings are slotted as the 5-seed, the Commanders are the 6-seed and the Packers are the 7-seed.

Detroit Lions lead 10-6 at half; if results hold Lions get 1-seed

Everyone expected fireworks. While they literally launched fireworks inside Ford Field, this wasn’t the offensive explosion that many thought it would be.

The Lions scored the game’s first touchdown on a long Jahmyr Gibbs run and their defense came up huge with multiple red-zone stops to keep the game a low-scoring affair. The Lions took advantage of a key special-teams mistake when the Vikings kicked the ball out of bounds on a kickoff with 20 seconds, and added three more points to take a 10-6 lead.

The Lions just need to win the final 30 minutes to accomplish all of their regular-season goals.

NFL announces playoff matchup times and TV channels for wild-card round

NBC during the Lions-Vikings game announced the playoff schedule for the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Saturday: Chargers at Texans, 4:30, CBS; Steelers at Ravens, 8, Prime Video.

Sunday: Broncos at Bills, 1, CBS; Packers at Eagles, 4:30, Fox; Commanders at Buccaneers, 8, NBC.

Monday: Vikings at Rams, 8, ABC/ESPN.

NFC playoff picture set

1. Lions (15-2, NFC North winner)
2. Eagles (14-3, NFC East winner)
3. Buccaneers (10-7, NFC South winner)
4. Rams (10-7, NFC West winner)
5. Vikings (14-3, wild card)
6. Commanders (12-5, wild card)
7. Packers (11-6, wild card)

LOOKING AHEAD:Lions 2025 opponents: Brutal road schedule awaits next season

Rams lose to Seahawks, will face Vikings

Despite not playing Matthew Stafford and a handful of other starters, the Rams had a chance to knockoff the Seahawks late in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Garoppolo (yes, that Jimmy G) was unable to convert a fourth-down attempt in the final minute deep in the Seahawks’ territory and the Rams lost, 30-25.

With the loss, the Rams are locked into the 4-seed in the NFC and will now face the Vikings who lost to the Lions late Sunday night. That means they’ll face the first wild-card team ever with 14 wins.

Rams driving, down 30-25 to Seahawks

The Rams briefly took their first lead, 25-24, on a 38-yard field goal, but Noah Fant’s 16-yard TD reception from Geno Smith with 3:19 to play has the Seahawks in front.

Rams backups hanging with Seahawks, down 24-22

Tyler Johnson’s 4-yard TD catch from Jimmy Garoppolo brought the Rams within 24-22, but the 2-point conversion failed with 12:43 left in the fourth quarter.

Rams trail Seahawks at half, 17-13

Rams kicker Joshua Karty smashed in a 58-yard field goal to end the first half, as the Rams are hanging in with the Seahawks despite resting key starters, including Matthew Stafford.

Seahawks and Rams trading scores

Seahawks 17, Rams 10: DK Metcalf’s 20-yard TD catch from Geno Smith put Seattle up 14-3 early in the second quarter, but the Rams answered on a 6-yard TD from Jimmy Garoppolo to Tyler Higbee. Jason Myers nailed a 56-yard field goal to make it a touchdown game with 3:21 before halftime.

Rams trailing Seahawks 7-3 after 1st quarter

Seahawks 7, Rams 3: Joshua Karty converted a 37-yard field goal with 37 seconds left in the first quarter to trim the Rams’ deficit. Geno Smith’s 4-yard TD pass to Jake Bobo at 5:21 in the quarter started the scoring. A Rams loss moves the Bucs into the 3-seed and would put the Rams at No. 4. But Los Angeles is comfortable with either seed, as coach Sean McVay is resting starters and going with, among other moves, Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback and rookie Blake Corum (Michigan) at running back.

NFC playoff matchup set: Packers vs Eagles

We only have one playoff matchup locked in for the wild-card round: The 7-seed Green Bay Packers at the 2-seed Philadelphia Eagles next weekend. The Eagles defeated the Packers in Week 1 in Brazil, 34-29.

The wild-card round is Jan. 11-13, with two games Saturday, three games Sunday and one on Monday night.

Bucs survive Saints to win NFC South Division

Bucs 27, Saints 19 final score: Tampa Bay outscored New Orleans 21-3 in the fourth quarter to rally from a 16-6 deficit. Spencer Rattler’s fourth-and-5 pass from the Bucs 32-yard line was a bit too high with 36 seconds left. The Bucs have won the NFC South Division for the fourth consecutive season. The Bucs ran one final play with a short pass to Mike Evans who got the yardage needed to get to 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th straight season, setting off a wild celebration.

In Atlanta, the Panthers won in overtime 44-38 on a Miles Sanders 1-yard TD, but that outcome became moot just before the end of regulation once the Bucs won.

Bucs add TD to lead by 8 in NFC South race; Falcons tied up

Bucs 27, Saints 19: Bucky Irving scores on an 11-yard TD run to give the Bucs breathing room with 1:51 left.

Falcons 38, Panthers 38: Bijan Robinson’s 4-yard rushing score with 46 seconds left knots the game again. But Atlanta needs a flourish from New Orleans.

Bears stun Packers on FG; Packers are 7-seed, Commanders 6-seed

Bears 24, Packers 22 final score: Caleb Williams executed the final drive far better than he did in Detroit on Thanksgiving, spiking the ball with 2 seconds left. Cairo Santos buried a 51-yard field goal at the buzzer to snap a 10-game losing streak.

The loss means Green Bay is officially the 7-seed and will visit the 2-seed Eagles in the wild-card round.

Commanders 23, Cowboys 19 final score: Seconds after Green Bay’s loss, Marcus Mariota found Terry McLaurin for a 5-yard TD with 3 seconds left for the lead. Washington is now the 6-seed and will visit the 3-seed next week.

Wild fourth quarters unfolding; Bucs and Packers looking good

Panthers 38, Falcons 31: Atlanta is in trouble after Bryce Young ran for a 10-yard TD with 4:01 to play.

Bucs 20, Saints 19: Tampa Bay is in a good spot leading New Orleans and getting help from Carolina. A Bucs win or Falcons loss gives Tampa Bay the NFC South.

Packers 22, Bears 21: Chicago fumbled while trying to run out the clock near midfield and Brandon McManus nailed a low 55-yard field goal in the freezing cold with 54 seconds left. Green Bay is closing in on the 6-seed. Malik Willis has played quarterback with Jordan Love still questionable (elbow).

Cowboys 19, Commanders 16: There is just more than a minute left, Washington has the ball. Marcus Mariota has played the second half at quarterback for Washington.

‘Battle’ for 6-seed still up for grabs between Commanders, Packers

Bears 21, Packers 19: Both the Commanders (trailing Dallas, 19-16) and Packers have their backup quarterbacks in, but Green Bay’s Jordan Love left in the first half with an elbow injury. Love is now warming up on the sideline with 3 minutes left and Chicago ball, as Green Bay likely knows Washington is losing.

A Green Bay comeback win and Washington loss moves the Packers up to the 6-seed. The 7-seed will visit the Eagles next week. Malik Willis’ 2-point conversion attempt a few minutes earlier fell incomplete, leaving the Packers trailing.

Baker Mayfield to Jalen McMillan saving Bucs season

Bucs 20, Saints 19: Tampa Bay takes its first lead! Mayfield threw a perfectly lofted pass to McMillan, the rookie receiver from Washington, on fourth-and-8 to get into the red zone. Then after a penalty, the two connected again from 32 yards out with 10:09 left. It’s McMillan’s seventh TD grab in the past five games.

Panthers 31, Falcons 31: A few minutes after Tampa Bay took the lead in its game, Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London hook up for their second TD of the game from 21 yards out with 9:50 remaining. Tie game.

Panthers retake lead on Falcons; Bucs trailing in 4th quarter

Panthers 31, Falcons 24: Bryce Young found tight end Tommy Tremble for a 12-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to tie the game, then found David Moore for a 9-yard touchdown with 1:02 left in the third quarter. Young has three passing TDs and Miles Sanders has more than 100 yards from scrimmage.

Saints 19, Bucs 13: Tampa Bay enters the fourth quarter with the ball but desperate for a points. It is lucky Carolina came to play in Atlanta.

Bears 21, Packers 13: D.J. Moore scores from 32 yards out at 10:02 of the fourth quarter. Unless Green Bay mounts a comeback with Malik Willis, it would be the 7-seed and play at 2-seed Philadelphia in the wild-card round.

Cowboys 12, Commanders 10: Dallas got a short field goal to open the scoring early in the fourth quarter. Washington currently would be the 6-seed and play at the 3-seed, should the Green Bay score hold.

Commanders sit Jayden Daniels for 2nd half

Commanders 10, Cowboys 9: Washington has pulled its star rookie quarterback for backup Marcus Mariota. And Mariota finds Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown at 5:07 of the third quarter. Washington is currently the 6-seed, but a loss combined with a Green Bay win over Chicago would push it to the 7-seed and a third date with Philadelphia in the wild-card round.

Bears 14, Packers 13: Malik Willis, in for the injured Jordan Love (elbow), was crushed on a blindside safety blitz and lost the ball, recovered by the Bears near midfield at 8:28 of the third quarter. Follow live updates from this game.

Bucs score TD to open 3rd quarter, still trail Saints

Saints 16, Bucs 13: Baker Mayfield had all day and finally found reserve Payne Durham for a 6-yard score at 10:27 of third quarter. Tampa Bay still has work to do, needing a victory to make the postseason.

Michael Penix heating up; Falcons could pull this off

Penix, the rookie in his third career NFL start, connects with receiver Drake London on a 20-yard touchdown with 3 seconds before halftime. Atlanta leads Carolina, 24-17. And Tampa Bay is trailing New Orleans, 16-6.

If these two scores hold, the Falcons will win the NFC South and be the 4-seed in the playoffs facing the loser of Lions-Vikings, likely on Monday Night Football on Jan. 13. The Rams would be the 3-seed.

Panthers and Falcons trade TDs late 2nd quarter

• Panthers 17, Falcons 17: Miles Sanders caught a 33-yard touchdown from Bryce Young to put Carolina back on top 17-10 at 2:48 of the second quarter, but the Falcons quickly responded and Bijan Robinson scored from 3 yards out with 1:34 before halftime. But Atlanta must win and is getting great news from Tampa, Florida thanks to New Orleans.
• Saints 16, Bucs 6: The Bucs get a field goal to climb within a touchdown, but New Orleans responds with one just before the half. Tampa Bay is in big trouble against a juiced up New Orleans team with Spencer Rattler at quarterback. Tampa Bay needs a win or Atlanta loss to take the NFC South. The loser is eliminated from the postseason.
• Bears 14, Packers 13: Green Bay adds a field goal. A win plus Commanders lose gives Green Bay the 6-seed. The 7-seed will be at Philadelphia. Malik Willis has replaced Jordan Love, who hurt his elbow and is questionable to return.
• Cowboys 6, Commanders 3: The Commanders get on the scoreboard with a field goal. They are under the two-minute warning with Dallas driving led by quarterback Trey Lance. But Lance on fourth down threw low to a wide-open Rico Dowdle in the end zone just before the half.

Jordan Love injury update

Love is questionable to return to Packers-Bears with an elbow injury. Green Bay is trailing 14-10 in its bid to move back up to the 6-seed. It needs a win and Washington loss. The Commanders are down 6-3 at the Cowboys. Both games are late second quarter.

NFC favorites on upset alert second quarter

Whoa do we have some surprising scores as of 2:05 p.m. in the mid-to-late second quarters of our 1 p.m. games.

• Saints 13, Bucs 3: At 6:14 of the second quarter, Spencer Rattler throws a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis. The Bucs are in trouble.
• Panthers 10, Falcons 10: The Falcons are getting the help needed from New Orleans and have just tied their own game on a 5-yard score from Michael Penix Jr. at 5:27 of the second quarter.
• Bears 14, Packers 10: The Packers are currently the 7-seed, but a win could help move them to the 6-seed. Malik Willis has just replaced Jordan Love, who hurt his hand, and then Josh Jacobs scored on a 9-yard run at 11:12 of the second quarter.
• Cowboys 6, Commanders 0: Trey Lance started at quarterback for Dallas, which has has shut down Jayden Daniels and the prolific Washington offense thus far at 7:39 of the second quarter.

NFC playoff picture

1. Lions (14-2, leading NFC North)
2. Eagles (13-3, NFC East winner)
3. Rams (10-6, NFC West winner)
4. Buccaneers (9-7, leading NFC South)
5. Vikings (14-2, clinched playoff berth)
6. Commanders (11-5, clinched wild card)
7. Packers (11-5, clinched wild card)

In the hunt: Falcons (8-8, wins NFC South with victory vs. Panthers and Bucs loss vs. Saints).

NFC playoff scenarios, matchups

NFC South: The Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South with a home win over the Saints or Falcons loss.

Atlanta needs to win at home vs. Carolina plus a Tampa Bay loss to win the NFC South and make the playoffs as the 4-seed.

The 3-seed or 4-seed: The Rams clinch the No. 3 seed with a Bucs loss or a win over the Seahawks, but are resting key starters and starting Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback in place of Matthew Stafford.

The Bucs would move up to the No. 3 seed with a win plus a Rams loss.

The 6-seed or 7-seed: The Packers can surpass the Commanders for the 6-seed with a win vs. the Bears and a Commanders loss at the Cowboys. A Commanders win gives them the 6-seed.

Lions potential playoff opponents as 5 seed if they lose to Vikings

The opponents for the No. 5 seed (loser of Lions/Vikings game) will be one of three teams:

• Rams, the current No. 3 seed. The Lions beat old friend Matthew Stafford and company 26-20 in overtime in Week 1 in Detroit and ended their 2023 season 24-23 in a classic wild-card matchup a year ago in Detroit. The Vikings lost to the Rams in Week 8 this season on a Thursday night, 30-20, in Los Angeles.
• Buccaneers, who took down the Lions in Week 2 in Detroit, 20-16. It was a dose of revenge for last year’s divisional round loss in Detroit, 31-23. The Lions also won in Week 6 last season at Tampa Bay, 20-6.
• Falcons. The Vikings hammered the Falcons, 42-21, in Week 14 at Minnesota, though Kirk Cousins has since been benched by Atlanta for rookie Michael Penix Jr.

The wild-card round road trip for the loser of Lions-Vikings would be especially sour (rule change coming?), given they will have at least four more wins than their opponent at 14-3 (the Rams are 10-6, Tampa Bay is 9-7 and Atlanta is 8-8).

Free Press sports writer Jared Ramsey contributed.

Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage throughout the playoffs and all year long at freep.com/sports/lions.

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