The Giants had their clinching scenario met Saturday, but weren't able to close the deal themselves.
Heading into Week 16, the Giants needed losses by two of the Lions, Seahawks, and Commanders. They got just that. All three teams dropped their respective contests on Saturday, meaning the Giants could have clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Vikings.
New York, however, came up just short against the Vikings. The Giants lost on a 61-yard field goal by Greg Joseph on the final play of the game, becoming the 11th team to suffer a one-possession loss to Minnesota this season.
In other words, pending the result of Commanders-49ers, the NFC wild card race is standing pat for now.
MORE: Projecting the seeds & matchups for AFC, NFC brackets in Week 16
NFC wild card standings
The Giants entered this week 8-5-1, a game ahead of the 7-6-1 Commanders for the No. 6 seed.
The Lions, Seahawks, and Packers found themselves on the outside looking in. The Lions and Seahawks, of course, lost their respective games. So did the Commanders. That means the Packers have a chance to make up serious ground Sunday against the Dolphins.
| Team | Record |
| Dallas Cowboys* | 11-4 |
| New York Giants* | 8-6-1 |
| Washington Commanders* | 7-7-1 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 7-8 |
| Detroit Lions | 7-8 |
| Green Bay Packers | 6-8 |
* - Currently in playoffs
With some of these results pending, the NFC East still has top dog status in the conference. At the end of Saturday's slate of games, all four teams are in, and that will remain the case for at least another week.
The Commanders, Seahawks and Lions squandered a solid chance with their respective losses, but no one will be kicking themselves more than the Giants for missing their chance to clinch. The good news for them, however, is this was just a bump in the road ultimately. Now, all they need to do is win one more game to get a playoff spot because of the Commanders, Seahawks and Lions' losses.
