NFL
NFL standings after Week 16: The playoff picture for the AFC and NFC starting to take shape
The bracket for the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs is edging closer to completion, after two more teams claimed their postseason berths.
After two more franchises stamped their postseason tickets in Week 16, nine teams have now secured their spot in the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers were the latest franchises to add their names to the bracket; they joined the already-qualified Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.
In Week 17, which gets underway with two Christmas Day games streamed live on Netflix, five further teams have the opportunity to make sure of a playoff berth.
How playoff places were clinched in NFL Week 16
The 10-5 Ravens reached the postseason for the seventh time in eight seasons in Week 16, sealing their progression with a 34-17 win over AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers (also 10-5). With two weeks left in the regular season, Baltimore are now firmly in the hunt to pip the Steelers to the divisional title: having beaten Pittsburgh, John Harbaugh’s men are now second to the AFC North leaders only by virtue of tiebreakers.
In the NFC, meanwhile, the Packers are postseason-bound for the fifth time in the last six years, after improving to 11-4 with a 34-0 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Monday Night Football. As the Packers can no longer catch the Lions and the Vikings in the race for the NFC North title, Green Bay are certain to be one of their conference’s four Wild Card teams.
Which teams are in the 2024-25 NFL playoffs? Postseason picture as it stands
AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs: 13-1, clinched AFC West title
2. Buffalo Bills: 11-3, clinched AFC East title
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-4
4. Houston Texans: 9-5, clinched AFC South title
5. Baltimore Ravens: 10-5
NFC
1. Detroit Lions: 12-2
2. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-2
5. Minnesota Vikings: 11-2
6. Green Bay Packers: 11-4, clinched Wild Card
Who can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17?
In the AFC, the 9-6 Los Angeles Chargers will reach the playoffs this week if they beat the New England Patriots, or if the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins both lose. The Denver Broncos (9-6) are likewise in a position to guarantee themselves a postseason place; the Coloradans will do so if they defeat the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) will reach the postseason as NFC South champions if they beat the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the Carolina Panthers. The Commanders are separated from the playoffs by either a win over the Falcons or a Buccaneers defeat.
Full list of teams eliminated from the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs
Thirteen teams are now officially out of postseason contention:
AFC
11. New York Jets: 4-11
12. Cleveland Browns: 3-12
13. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-12
14. Tennessee Titans: 3-12
15. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-12
16. New England Patriots: 3-12
NFC
10. Dallas Cowboys: 7-8
11. Arizona Cardinals: 7-8
12. San Francisco 49ers: 6-9
13: New Orleans Saints: 5-10
14. Chicago Bears: 4-11
15. Carolina Panthers: 4-11
16. New York Giants: 2-13
When are the 2024-25 NFL playoffs?
The 2024-25 playoffs get underway with the Wild Card round, which is due to be played on January 11 to 13. The Divisional round is then scheduled for January 18 to 19, before the Conference Championship games on January 26. The winners of the AFC and the NFC will advance to Super Bowl LIX, which is to be played on February 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.When are the 2024-25 NFL playoffs?
The Wild Card round is scheduled for January 11 to 13, before the Divisional round on January 18 to 19. The Conference Championship games are due to be held on January 26, before Super Bowl LIX is played on February 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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