Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season is over, and only one team has clinched a playoff spot.
The competition in both conferences now intensifies, with every squad down to three regular-season games each.
In the NFC, 10 teams are still fighting for a spot in the postseason.
Only the Green Bay Packers can breathe easier after securing their ticket.
Three straight NFC North division titles for the @Packers!
Green Bay is playoff-bound. #NFLPlayoffs #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/bOwOAyC7AN
— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2021
But the other NFC franchises must grind it out if they want to extend their campaign.
However, three teams that are perennial playoff contenders are in danger of missing the road to the Super Bowl.
It’s just unfortunate that the players and coaches of these teams might witness the big game on their living room couch.
3. Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team was hanging onto the sixth spot in the NFC playoff race two weeks ago.
Unfortunately, consecutive losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles drop them to 10th place.
It doesn’t help that starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke is out indefinitely because of COVID-19 protocols.
Washington’s top two QBs, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, are now on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving Garrett Gilbert – who is signing today with the WFT – in line to start Sunday vs. Philadelphia.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2021
They’re running out of time to save their season, and it doesn’t help that they’ll face the Cowboys again on the road in Week 16.
Last year, Washington nearly defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.
However, they are in danger of missing the postseason if they lose more games.
2. New Orleans Saints
Head coach Sean Payton joined the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and has missed the playoffs only six times.
This year, they are in danger of snapping their streak of four consecutive trips to the postseason.
Typically, Payton finds a way to win despite the handicaps on their roster.
Unfortunately, their five-game losing streak turned their record from 5-2 to 5-7.
Saints have 3 games remaining (Dolphins, Panthers, Falcons).
– Two of those games are at home
– The one road game is in AtlantaNot saying they’ll make the playoffs, but they gave themselves a shot with this win tonight. That’s all you can ask for with the injuries they’ve had.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) December 20, 2021
They’ve kept their playoff hopes alive with back-to-back wins against the New York Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At ninth place, New Orleans must win over the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons to strengthen their claim for a postseason spot.
As the Saints struggle in their first season after Drew Brees retired, they will be relinquishing the NFC South title to the Buccaneers.
That’s unfortunate for a team that won the division from 2017 to 2020.
1. Seattle Seahawks
Great teams don’t last forever, and the end is near for Seattle Seahawks’ dominant run.
Since Pete Carroll joined the team in 2010, the team missed the playoffs only twice and played in the Super Bowl that many times.
However, time finally caught up on them as their schemes on offense look unimaginative and outdated.
Losing Russell Wilson to a finger injury in the middle of the season did not help their cause either.
As a result, the Seahawks are 13th in the NFC with a 5-9 record.
Are the Seattle Seahawks DEAD?!?#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/GRn44wLwg4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 22, 2021
It would take a miracle for them to enter the playoffs for a fourth-straight season.
They are also in danger of suffering only their second season since 2012 with single-digit wins.
The Seahawks might score victories against the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively.
But they might end their campaign on a losing note versus the Arizona Cardinals.
A disappointing season like this will trigger potential coaching and front office changes.
NEXT: Are The 49ers Super Bowl Contenders?