NFL
The record-breaking playoff numbers that show the NFL is less competitive than ever
Many NFL teams already know their fate and have little left to play for in the last three weeks of the regular season.
Is the NFL less competitive than ever in this 2024 season? The numbers following the week 15 action would suggest that is the case.
Record numbers at the top and bottom of the NFL
With three weeks of the regular season left, there is both a record number of teams who have already clinched a playoff spot, as well as a record number who have won three games or fewer out of 14.
According to sports technology company Sportradar, the previous playoff high since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger came only two years ago, with six teams having secured postseason spots by the end of play in week 15 in 2022.
Which teams have already clinched the 2024 playoffs?
The Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the last two Super Bowls, became the first team to clinch their playoff berth in week 13, and six others (the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Houston Texans, the Detroit Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings) have followed since then.
Additionally, the Chiefs, the Bills and the Texans have already claimed the AFC West, AFC East and AFC South titles, leaving relatively little intrigue in that conference in particular.
The race to secure No. 1 seed and avoid the wild-card round in the AFC looks to be all but over, with the Chiefs holding a two-game lead over the Bills. The NFC battle does, at least, promise to be much tighter, with the Lions (12-2), the Eagles (12-2) and the Vikings (12-2) all in the hunt.
More teams can clinch postseason berth in week 16
By the end of week 16, the entire AFC postseason field could be decided, with the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos needing one win to clinch the playoffs, while the Los Angeles Chargers could also be in if they secure a victory and other results go their way.
Four of the seven NFC participants could also be determined this coming weekend, with the Green Bay Packers knowing a win over the New Orleans Saints will secure their spot.
More than a quarter of the league with nothing left to play for
Nine of the 32 teams (six in AFC, three in NFC) are already eliminated and have nothing left to play for, other than trying to save face a little. At present, seven teams (the Las Vegas Raiders, the New York Giants, the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns and the Tennessee Titans) have won three games or fewer after week 15, beating the previous record of six (in 1991, 2008 and 2014).
Surprising figures in a league built on parity. Is it a one-off, or will the trend continue in seasons to come?
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