Commanders can secure a playoff spot before taking the field in Week 17

The Washington Commanders are 10-5 and have a two-game lead over the seventh and final seed in the NFC playoff field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks are both 8-7, but Seattle is eliminated from wild-card contention. The only way to the playoffs is to overtake the Rams and win the NFC West.

Washington’s Week 17 game against the Atlanta Falcons was recently switched to Sunday Night Football due to playoff implications for both teams. The Falcons (8-7) are ahead of the Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South due to a tiebreaker and are controlling their own fate.

The Buccaneers play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Before you think this is an easy win for Tampa Bay, the Panthers have been playing much better in recent weeks. Remember, the Bucs beat Carolina by just three points earlier this month.

If Carolina can defeat the Buccaneers, Washington will secure a spot in the playoffs before kickoff on Sunday night. The Commanders, who were 4-13 last season, would have two games left to win the one game they need to make the playoffs.

Remarkable.

Ideally, Washington will take care of business without relying on others.

The odds are certainly in Washington’s favor.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders can clinch a playoff spot before taking the field in Week 17