2023 Playoff Push: Buck Need Win in Week 18 to Secure Division

2023 Playoff Push: Buck Need Win in Week 18 to Secure Division

In Week 17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first chance to win the 2023 NFC South title was lost. With three teams still

fighting for the division title and the fate of all four teams riding on the results of just two games played at the same

time, the New Orleans Saints’ 23-13 victory over Tampa kept their own playoff hopes alive and set the stage for a

thrilling final weekend in the league.

In the meantime, two of the four divisions have been determined, as well as the conference’s top seed. There are

eight games that might determine which teams advance and in what sequence, with six teams still fighting for the

two remaining playoff positions.

After 17 weeks, the NFC playoff race is as follows:

NFC West Champion San Francisco (12-4)

In Week 17, the 49ers had all they needed, winning comfortably in Washington and watching as the Lions dropped a

nail-biting game in Dallas and Arizona shocked the Eagles late in the game. San Francisco received the lone first-

round bye and secured the top seed in the NFC thanks to those two outcomes. The calf injury that forced running

back Christian McCartney to leave the game was certainly avoidable, but it looks to be minor, and they have three

weeks before he really needs to play again.

After 17 weeks, the NFC playoff race is as follows:

NFC West Champion San Francisco (12-4)

In Week 17, the 49ers had all they needed, winning comfortably in Washington and watching as the Lions dropped a

nail-biting game in Dallas and Arizona shocked the Eagles late in the game. San Francisco received the lone first-

round bye and secured the top seed in the NFC thanks to those two outcomes. The calf injury that forced running

back Christian McCartney to leave the game was certainly avoidable, but it looks to be minor, and they have three

weeks before he really needs to play again.