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NFC Playoff Picture 2016: Wild Card, Standings After Week 15

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:15 p.m. ET

Fansided, Cody Williams/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Looking at the 2016 NFC Playoff picture following the Week 15 action, including the Wild Card standings and division leaders/winners.

The Washington Redskins had a prime opportunity on Monday Night Football in Week 15. With a win over the disappointing Carolina Panthers, they could take firm control of the No. 6 seed and the second Wild Card spot. Instead, they fell in a shockingly lackluster effort. Now the NFC Playoff Picture is as wide-open as ever.

With the loss on Monday, the Redskins now drop to the No. 8 seed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—despite a loss on Sunday—taking occupancy at the No. 6 seed. However, there’s nothing decided just yet. Hell, not even the 12-2 Dallas Cowboys have clinched the NFC East yet.

After Week 15, though, we have an idea of what could transpire over the final two weeks of the season. With Christmas Eve games looming on a slightly shortened week, things are about to get wilder than even before for the 2016 NFC Playoff picture.

Let’s take a look at the seeding and go five teams deep into the incredibly tight, incredibly hectic NFC Playoff standings and Wild Card picture:

More from NFL Spin Zone

1: Dallas Cowboys (12-2) – Clinched Playoff Berth
2: Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) – Clinched Division
3: Atlanta Falcons (9-5)
4: Detroit Lions (9-5)
5: New York Giants (10-4)
6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
7: Green Bay Packers (8-6)
8: Washington Redskins (7-6-1)
9: Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
Tampa owns tie break over Green Bay with win percentage in common games.

As you can see, the race for the second Wild Card seed out of the NFC is far from over as four teams all have a viable shot at it. However, there’s also the chance that we could see some real calamity over the end of the season.

For instance, there’s a scenario where the Falcons and Lions both don’t win their respective divisions with the Buccaneers and Packers, respectively, usurping them. Subsequently, that would make the race for the No. 6 seed that much more complicated.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys are just a win in Week 16 away from clinching home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs in addition to the NFC East title. Needless to say, we’re about to see some fun football down the stretch and some real fluctuation in the still heavily undecided NFC Playoff Picture.