NFL
What’s the NFL playoff picture as of week 16? What teams are in and out?
With only a few games left to play the race for playoff berths is heating up in both the AFC and NFC conferences, and many teams are still in the game.
The battle for playoff berths is intensifying in both conferences, with dozens of teams still in contention for the prestige and glory of the NFL postseason.
NFC
The NFC playoff race has taken an interesting turn after the Philadelphia Eagles’ defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. With only three weeks left in the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers are the only team to have secured their division and are currently at the top seed. However, the competition for playoff berths and seedings is still intense.
The Dallas Cowboys are in the second seed after a big win over the Buffalo Bills, with the tiebreaker advantage over the Eagles, who are in third place.
The Detroit Lions are in contention for the second seed with challenging games ahead.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the fourth seed and must win crucial games against the Saints and Panthers to maintain their position. The NFC Wild Card race is equally fascinating, with the Falcons, Packers, Rams, Seahawks, and Saints tied at 6-7.
Despite a recent loss, the Eagles are still in an excellent position to make the playoffs. However, their upcoming games against tough opponents will determine their final seeding and playoff destiny. The Vikings, who lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime, face a demanding schedule. The Rams, who face the Saints in a crucial Week 16 matchup, need to win to strengthen their playoff hopes.
The Seahawks, who ended their losing streak, have a good chance to make the playoffs with an upcoming schedule that could work in their favor. The Saints aim to control their destiny by winning important games against the Rams and Falcons.
AFC
The playoff race in the AFC is starting to take shape, with some teams having already secured a spot while others are battling for better seeding. Now that Week 15 has concluded, it’s time to look at the clinching scenarios for the upcoming crucial matchups in Week 16.
The Baltimore Ravens are the only AFC team to have secured a playoff berth so far, thanks to their impressive win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday Night Football. As they prepare for a tough game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, the Ravens are looking at different scenarios that could help them win the AFC North title and secure a higher seeding.
The Miami Dolphins are strong contenders in the AFC East after beating the New York Jets. Their upcoming games against the Ravens and Bills will greatly affect the playoff picture, as clinching scenarios will depend on these crucial matchups.
The Kansas City Chiefs are holding the third seed and keeping their momentum going after defeating the New England Patriots. They are looking to win the division title and improve their seeding in the AFC with upcoming games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.
The AFC Wild Card race is getting fierce, with a group of teams having identical 8-6 records. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos are all in contention, making for an exciting end to the regular season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a precarious position after losing a few games against quality opponents. Their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals is a must-win scenario to stay in contention for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos have a more favorable schedule against the Patriots, Chargers, and Raiders, which could help them secure a spot in the playoffs with a potential 10-win season.