NFC Playoff Picture: Eagles Control Destiny after Vikings Collapse

As the Monday night thriller in Chicago came to an end, we headed into Week 17—the final week of the NFL regular season, and the first Sunday in 2010.

The country is well aware of the AFC wild card race, with eight teams fighting for two playoff spots in the final week of the season.

If you think about the NFC, it was assumed that the Saints and Vikings would be the top two seeds, while the other positions shifting within the final week.

However, it is a whole new ballgame within the conference, as the Minnesota Vikings fell to division rival Chicago 36-30 in OT.

First off, the Vikings were lucky enough to be in that position.

Down by 17 in the third quarter, Favre and company were able to force an overtime on a 4th-and-goal pass to Sidney Rice. However, the defense, like it has done at times, could not close the door following a Peterson fumble.

Now the Vikings are on the outside looking in. They need to defeat the New York Giants and get a loss from the Philadelphia Eagles.

So yes, in a slight surprise, the Eagles now control their destiny for the No. 2 seed in the conference. With what was originally a winner earns one home game in the playoffs has turned into much more at stake for the Eagles.

This year, the Eagles have showed playmaking ability on offense with receivers DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Jason Avant.

Though the defense has not been as dominant as in the past, they are good against the run and solid against the pass, led by Asante Samuel.

Brian Westbrook returned last week in the win over Denver after sustaining multiple concussions. He will play again this week at Dallas, and can use the possible bye week as a tune-up for the postseason.

The NFC playoff picture gets turned upside down due to the collapse of the Minnesota Vikings.

Yes, I said collapse—and with good reason.

Having lost three out of their last four (all three losses on the road), there is more concern now than the mutual disdain between Favre and Brad Childress.

If the Vikings do not obtain the second seed, I will say it right now: They will have no shot of heading to Miami.

The inability to win on the road has coasted them, as all four losses have come on the road.

Luckily, they finish the regular season at home against the Giants, who have just lost all confidence after the blowout loss in the Giants Stadium finale.

On a side note, the Arizona Cardinals can clinch a No. 2 seed; however, it involves the toughest path. A victory over the Green Bay Packers, along with losses by the Eagles and Vikings, would need to happen for there to be any shot.

So with the final week of the NFL regular season upon us, a lot could change in the NFC as the Eagles control their own destiny of earning a bye week, hoping to improve their chances of taking home this year's Lombardi Trophy.

Matt Miselis is an NFL writer for BleacherReport.com.