The NFC’s No. 1 seed will be determined by the Vikings-Lions showdown in Detroit in Week 18

The NFC’s No. 1 seed will be determined in the final week when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings.

The winner wins the NFC North and receives a bye to the playoffs in the first round and home field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser is seeded number 5 and has to play away in the wildcard round.

The Vikings (14-2) earned a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers, setting up a high-stakes Week 18 showdown. The Lions (13-2) host the San Francisco 49ers (6-9). Monday night in a rematch of the NFC title game. Win, lose or draw, they have to beat the Vikings again. Detroit defeated Minnesota 31-29 in Week 7.

The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East and secured the No. 2 seed with a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys. However, coach Nick Sirianni has a tough decision to make this week. Saquon Barkley is just 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season record for yards rushing in a season.

Sirianni must decide whether to give Barkley and most of his starters a break to prepare for the playoffs or let his star attempt the 40-year-old record.

The Los Angeles Rams (10-6) were on the verge of securing the NFC West. They would lock it down Sunday night if the Commanders beat the Falcons.

The outcome of the Atlanta-Washington game has a big impact on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7). If the Falcons win, they remain first in the NFC South and would win the division with a win against Carolina next week. If the Falcons lose, the Buccaneers would take over first place and secure the division with a win over New Orleans next week.

The Commanders would secure a wild card spot with a win against Atlanta. If they lose, Seattle remains mathematically alive for a wild card and the Buccaneers could also find a way into the playoffs as a wild card team.

Three AFC teams have already secured their places. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), won the AFC West weeks ago and secured first place.

The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills (13-3) are the No. 2 seed. The AFC South champion Houston Texans (9-7) are the No. 4 seed.

The Baltimore Ravens (11-5) would win the AFC North and secure the No. 3 seed with a win or tie against Cleveland next weekend or a loss or tie against Pittsburgh, which hosts Cincinnati.

If they don’t win the division, the Steelers have already secured a wild card spot. The Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) also secured a wild card spot. They will not be lower than the sixth seed.

The final AFC playoff spot goes to the Broncos (9-7), Dolphins (8-8) or Bengals (8-8).

Denver secures victory with a win or draw against the Chiefs. The Dolphins need the Broncos to lose and beat the Jets on the road to get in. The Bengals have to win and the Broncos and Dolphins have to lose to get in.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL