NFC Playoff Picture: Vikings’ loss to Packers means Eagles can now only face one of two teams in the wild card round

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football and that impacted the NFC playoff picture as it relates to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Well, you know, assuming the Eagles actually beat the New York Giants and officially clinch the NFC East in Week 17.

It was previously possible for the Eagles to host either the Packers or Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field in the wild card. Now the Eagles can only face one of two opponents if they make the playoffs: the Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers.

The Eagles’ potential opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Week 17 game between those two NFC West teams. The 49ers are currently 3.5 point road favorites in Seattle despite the fact San Fran lost to the Seahawks at home back in November.

Assuming the Eagles make the playoffs, the Seahawks could be the ideal first round opponent for Philly. The Birds have never beaten Russell Wilson and they lost to Seattle earlier this season, yes. But the Seahawks have had multiple running back injuries and starting left tackle Duane Brown is also now banged up. The Eagles are also playing better now than they were back in Week 12.

One could make a case the Eagles should want to play the 49ers since — unlike Wilson — Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t have playoff experience. San Francisco’s defense has also surrendered an average of 35.3 points in their last three games, including a home loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Week 17 game between the Seahawks and 49ers is scheduled for Sunday Night Football so one of those teams will have to play a hard fought battle before potentially traveling to Philly for a wild card game as soon as Saturday. That could be another advantage in the Eagles’ favor.

If the Eagles clinch the NFC East, which team would you rather see them play in the first round?

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

1 - San Francisco 49ers (12-3)
2 - Green Bay Packers (12-3)
3 - New Orleans Saints (12-3)
4 - Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)
5 - Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
6 - Minnesota Vikings (10-5)
...
7 - Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
8 - Chicago Bears (7-8)
9 - Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
10 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
11 - Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
12 - Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1)
13 - Carolina Panthers (5-10)
14 - New York Giants (4-11)
15- Detroit Lions (3-11-1)
16 - Washington (3-12)