With Week 18 now here in the Madden Underground Pro League, the NFC playoff picture is mostly defined — but the final Wild Card spot is still mathematically alive due to byes and uneven games played across the conference.
Several teams are idle, while others still have one final opportunity to punch a postseason ticket.
🏆 NFC TEAMS THAT HAVE CLINCHED
These teams are locked into the playoffs, regardless of Week 18 results.
Saints (14–2)
Best overall record in the NFC Strongest conference mark Clinched the #1 seed and home-field advantage
Lions (13–3)
Perfect 5–0 division record Locked into a top-two seed Playing for rhythm, not survival
Commanders (12–4)
Dominant 6–0 division record Clinched a division title Physical, defense-first playoff team
Seahawks (12–4)
Undefeated 7–0 at home Locked into the postseason One of the toughest home environments in MU
🎟️ CURRENT WILD CARD HOLDERS
Buccaneers (12–4)
Clinched a Wild Card spot No division title, but safely in Week 18 impacts seeding only
49ers (8–8)
Currently holding a Wild Card position Stronger conference and division record than most teams below Not clinched, but benefited from byes elsewhere
Cardinals (8–8)
Sitting in the final Wild Card spot Conference record keeps them ahead for now One loss opens the door
🚨 STILL ALIVE ENTERING WEEK 18
Packers (8–8)
Green Bay is the only team outside the playoff field with a realistic path to get in.
How the Packers make the playoffs:
Packers WIN in Week 18 → finish 9–8 AND Either the 49ers OR Cardinals LOSE
A 9–8 Packers team would jump an 8–9 team outright, eliminating the need for tiebreakers.
👉 This is the cleanest and most realistic remaining scenario in the NFC.
⚠️ LONG-SHOT, CHAOS SCENARIOS
Vikings (7–9) & Rams (7–9)
These teams are technically alive because of byes, but the math is brutal.
They would need:
A Week 18 win → 8–9 Both the 49ers and Cardinals to lose Favorable conference tiebreakers (unlikely based on current records)
👉 These paths exist on paper, but realistically require multiple collapses above them.
❌ ELIMINATED FROM CONTENTION
Panthers, Eagles, Bears, Giants, Falcons, and Cowboys have been eliminated and will turn their focus to the offseason.
🔥 WEEK 18 STORYLINES
Packers: Win and pray. 49ers & Cardinals: One bad week could erase the season. Seeding games: Saints, Lions, and Commanders fine-tuning matchups. Byes matter: Not every team controls its own fate.
📌 BOTTOM LINE
Week 18 isn’t about how many wins you have — it’s about when you got them.
Because of byes, the NFC Wild Card race is still alive. The Packers are the only team with a clear path, while the 49ers and Cardinals sit uncomfortably knowing a single loss could cost them everything.
In the Madden Underground Pro League, Week 18 is about survival — not style.