NFC playoff picture: Week 18 seed clinching scenarios for Giants’ wild-card opponent | Will it be Vikings or 49ers?

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has a moment with defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during pregame warmups as the Giants prepare to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Giants have already locked up the NFC’s sixth playoff seed.

So Sunday’s Week 18 game at the Eagles is essentially meaningless for them.

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But by the time Giants-Eagles is over, the Giants should know whether they’ll visit the Vikings or 49ers in the wild-card round next weekend.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants practice squad running back Jashaun Corbin (25) carries the ball during practice on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

It’ll probably be the Vikings, who appear headed for the third seed, but that’s not a lock.

So let’s take a look at the clinching scenarios Sunday for the NFC’s No. 3 seed.

The Vikings will get that seed if one of these three scenarios happens:

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants tight end Lawrence Cager (83) shakes hands with head coach Brian Daboll at the start of practice on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

• Vikings loss

• Vikings tie and 49ers tie

• 49ers win

And the 49ers will get that seed if one of these two scenarios happens:

• 49ers loss and Vikings win/tie

• 49ers tie and Vikings win

It would be a surprise if both the Vikings (who play in Chicago) and the 49ers (who host the Cardinals) didn’t win Sunday. The Bears are starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback, while the Cardinals are starting David Blough. They’re both overmatched.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll hears a NY 3 hat during practice on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J. The hat is in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who is hospitalized in critical condition after he went into cardiac arrest while playing Monday Night Football earlier this week.

Vikings-Bears is at 1 p.m., while Cardinals-49ers (like Giants-Eagles) is at 4:25.

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In terms of the day and time for the Giants’ wild-card game next weekend, they’ll likely know that at some point during or after Sunday night’s Lions-Packers game, which begins at 8:20.

There are two wild-card games Saturday, three on Sunday, and then one on Monday night.

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© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during practice on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com.

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New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) makes a play during practice on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS