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NFL Week 18 scores: Live playoff picture updates, results, analysis as teams battle for playoff spots

The 2023 playoff bracket is almost set

The 2023 NFL regular season wraps up Sunday with what has already been a wild Week 18. In the early window, we saw the Jacksonville Jaguars get eliminated from playoff contention with the Tennessee Titans playing spoiler, which gave the AFC South title to the Houston Texans. We also saw the Atlanta Falcons eliminated from playoff contention with a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed the NFC South for the third straight season with a 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers.

In the late window, the drama ramped up quite a bit. The Cowboys claimed the NFC East with a win over the Commanders, but would've won it regardless of that victory due to the Giants' upset win over the Eagles. Now, Dallas is the No. 2 seed while Philly stands as the No. 5 seed in the conference. The Packers clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Bears, and the Rams are the No. 6 seed after they were able to beat the 49ers. 

Here's a look at the entire playoff picture in the NFC. 

  • Packers (7) at Cowboys (2)
  • Rams (6) at Lions (3)
  • Eagles (5) at Buccaneers (4)

All that is left to be determined is the AFC East, which will culminate in a showdown between the Bills and Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The winner will be the No. 2 seed in the conference and division champions, while the other will enter the postseason as a wild card opponent.  

Below, we will keep tabs on that remaining matchup and highlight playoff implications that come with it.

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Live updates
 

Solid stand by the Packers to hold the Bears to a field goal after Chicago pushed the ball inside the red zone. They hold a 14-9 lead with 13:03 left in the game. Again, if they hold on, they are in the playoffs and would be the No. 6 seed if the Rams fall to the 49ers, which they trail 20-13. 

 
 

Goodness! There is no letup from the Dallas Cowboys. Even up by 18, the special teams unit was able to block a punt attempt and now have possession inside the Washington 10-yard line. 

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This will be the third time in the last six seasons that the Cowboys have won the division.

 

CeeDee Lamb has his second touchdown of the night and the Cowboys go up 28-10 over the Commanders. Its not official, but they have effectively locked up the NFC East. 

 

James Conner has entered the chat! The Cardinals running back dashes for a 29-yard touchdown to knot Arizona up with Seattle at 13 apiece. The Seahawks need to win this game to have any hope of reaching the playoffs. 
 

Dallas opens up the second half with the starters still in. They also just crossed midfield and seem poised to add to their 11-point lead over Washington. 

 

Meanwhile, most of the other late-afternoon-window games have just gone to the half: 

Games with playoff implications:
Giants, 24, Eagles 0
Seahawks 13, Cardinals 6
49ers 20, Rams 7
Cowboys 21, Commanders 10

Games without playoff implications: 
Raiders 17, Broncos 7
Chiefs 10, Chargers 6

 

Monumental touchdown drive for the Packers to begin this second half. They jump out to a 14-6 lead over Chicago thanks to a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a Jordan Love pas to Dontayvion Wicks for the wideout's second touchdown of the game. 
 

The Cowboys just notched another touchdown against Washington with CeeDee Lamb extending for the score. They are up 21-10 with 23 seconds left in the first half and I would expect to see the backups to start the second half. 
 

And the Giants give it right back with an interception the very next play. What a swing. Regardless, it looks like Philly has waved the white flag for this game and the NFC East. 

 

Marcus Mariota is in at quarterback for the Eagles and immediately throws an interception. 

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The Niners just extended their lead over the Rams and are now up by two scores after Sam Darnold's touchdown pass. San Fran is starting backups mostly as is Los Angeles, but the Rams are looking at the possibility of moving down to the No. 7 seed with a loss depending on how other situations unfold across the league.

 

At this point, you have to wonder if Philadelphia will just pack it in during the second half. If so, Dallas could follow suit against Washington. 

 

An absolute demolition going on at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles are getting blown out by the Giants, 24-0 with 1:47 to play in the first half. New York just marched 73 yards down the field in a little over a minute thanks to a 46-yard catch and run by Saquon Barkley and then a 19-yard touchdown catch by Darius Slayton. 
 

Not the most efficient first half for the Packers. All three of their drives ended inside the Bears 25-yard line in the, but they scored just seven points. Still, they are up 7-6 at the half. All they need is to hang on for two more quarters and they'll clinch a playoff spot. 

 

Meanwhile, Tony Pollard rushes for a goal-line touchdown to give the Cowboys at 14-10 lead over the Commanders. Everything is lining up for Mike McCarthy's team to win the NFC East. 

 

The Packers are knocking on the door of the red zone, while the Cardinals are at the 14-yard line against the Seahawks and looking to tie the game at 10. Some first-half drama in the NFC wild-card race. 

 
 

Saquon Barkley scores his second touchdown of the game and the Giants are up 17-0 over the Eagles. A beatdown at MetLife against the defending NFC champions. If this holds, it'll be curious to see how the Cowboys handle the second half against Washington, especially once they get wind of that score. 

 

Commanders take a 10-7 lead over the Cowboys with 7:04 left in the second quarter with Slye netting a 35-yard field goal.

 

Eagles are reeling and find themselves down 10-0 to the Giants after Saquon Barkley capped off a nine-lay, 48-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown. Things are looking up for Dallas' division title hopes regardless of what happens in their game. 

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Good news it appears on Hurts as he is on the sideline throwing and looking like he'll come back in. And all of Philly can exhale. 

 

Another Eagles injury to keep an eye on ... 
 

Packers take the lead over the Bears at the 7:20 mark of the second quarter as Jordan Love connects with Wicks for a 10-yard touchdown. Again, Green Bay clinches a playoff spot with a win. 
 
 

Injury update in PHI-NYG: Eagles WR A.J. Brown is questionable to return with a knee injury.

 

Commanders continue their aggressive style and go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line and convert with a Sam Howell touchdown pass to Brian Robinson. Washington and Dallas are tied up at 7 apiece.

 

Injury development in PHI-NYG: Giants QB Tyrod Taylor is questionable to return due to a thumb injury. Tommy DeVito is under center for New York. 

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