NFL
What is the NFL playoff picture after Sunday’s games? Who’s in and who’s out
The final spots for the NFL postseason are still to be decided, but fewer and fewer teams are in contention with two weeks to go.
The final spots in the NFL postseason are about to be decided, along with the division champions for both the NFC and AFC.
So far, eight teams have secured their playoff berths - three as division leaders and five through the Wild Card. However, many of these teams still have a chance to claim their respective division titles.
NFC Playoff Picture
Detroit Lions
The Lions have clinched a playoff spot via the Wild Card. They still have a strong chance to secure the NFC North titleand even the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but their fate depends on the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have also earned a playoff spot, currently through the Wild Card. They remain in contention for the NFC North crown, battling with the Lions in what has been the toughest division in the NFL this season.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lead the NFC East and have locked in a playoff berth, though currently through the Wild Card. They’ll aim to secure the division title outright as the season winds down.
How the playoffs look
| Divisional Champions | Wild Card | In the fight |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Detroit Lions (13-2) | NFC North leader | 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2) | NFC North | Seattle Seahawks (8-7) | NFC West |
| 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) | NFC East leader | 6. Green Bay Packers (10-4) | NFC North | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) | NFC South |
| 3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6) | NFC West leader | 7. Washington Commanders (10-5) | NFC East | |
| 4. Atlanta Falcons (8-6) | NFC South leader |
NFC playoffs if the season ended today
If the NFL regular season ended today, following the conclusion of Week 17 (with Monday Night Football’s Saints vs. Packers still pending), the playoff matchups would look like this:
NFC Playoff picture
(1) Detroit Lions
- First Round Bye as the No. 1 seed
Wild Card Round:
- (7) Washington Commanders vs (2) Philadelphia Eagles
- (6) Green Bay Packers vs (3) Los Angeles Rams
- (5) Minnesota Vikings vs (4) Atlanta Falcons
AFC Playoff Picture
Buffalo Bills
- Crowned AFC East champions with time to spare and are now competing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Secured the AFC West title and are also in the hunt for the conference’s top spot.
Houston Texans
- Despite recent struggles, they clinched the AFC South title, securing their return to the postseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Currently in the playoffs via the Wild Card but remain contenders for the AFC North crown, despite a Week 16 loss to their rivals, the Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens
- Locked in their playoff spot with a win over the Steelers in Week 16 and are still battling Pittsburgh for the AFC North title.
AFC playoffs if the season ended today
| Divisional Champions | Wild Card | In the fight |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) | AFC West Champion | 5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5) | AFC North | Indianapolis Colts (7-8) | AFC South |
| 2. Buffalo Bills (12-3) | AFC East Champion | 6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) | AFC West | Miami Dolphins (7-8) | AFC East |
| 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) | AFC North leader | 7. Denver Broncos (9-6) | AFC West | Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) | AFC North |
| 4. Houston Texans (9-6) | AFC South Champion |
If the regular season ended after Week 17, the AFC playoff matchups would look like this:
(1) Kansas City Chiefs
- First Round Bye as the No. 1 seed
Wild Card Round:
- (7) Denver Broncos vs. (2) Buffalo Bills
- (6) Los Angeles Chargers vs. (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
- (5) Baltimore Ravens vs. (4) Houston Texans
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