The NFL Playoff picture is beginning to take shape as the 2024 NFL Regular Season winds down. Teams across the league are battling for their way into the 2024 NFL Playoffs.
The NFL playoff picture is beginning to crystallize, with pivotal victories and unexpected upsets shaping the landscape.
In the NFC, the Washington Commanders stunned the Philadelphia Eagles, claiming their most significant win in years. It’s a victory that propels Washington toward its first playoff berth since 2019 while eliminating Dallas and San Francisco. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams edge closer to sealing the NFC West, holding a one-game lead over Seattle. In the North, Detroit and Minnesota, both with 13 wins, remain deadlocked, though the Lions have the tiebreaker. The NFC South remains a race, as Atlanta reclaimed first place following Tampa Bay’s loss to Dallas.
In the AFC, clarity emerges as contenders rise and fall. The Los Angeles Chargers dealt a critical blow to Denver’s hopes of clinching early while dimming the playoff dreams of Indianapolis, Miami, and Cincinnati.
So, what do the AFC and NFC playoff pictures look like?
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AFC Playoff Picture Following Week 16
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs (y) | West | 14-1 |
| 2 | Bills (y) | East | 12-3 |
| 3 | Steelers (x) | North | 10-5 |
| 4 | Texans (y) | South | 9-6 |
| 5 | Ravens (x) | North | 10-5 |
| 6 | Chargers | West | 9-6 |
| 7 | Broncos | West | 9-6 |
x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
z = clinched first-round bye
Still Alive in the AFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Colts | South | 7-8 |
| 9 | Dolphins | East | 7-8 |
| 10 | Bengals | North | 7-8 |
The Kansas City Chiefs took another step toward locking up the AFC’s top seed with a pivotal win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. Now just one victory away from securing home-field advantage for the third time in five years, Kansas City remains firmly in control. The Buffalo Bills, fresh off a victory over the New England Patriots, are still in pursuit, but the path is clear for the Chiefs to hold the AFC crown.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens punched their ticket to the playoffs with a hard-fought win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though both teams now share identical records, the Steelers hold a slim tiebreaker advantage in conference games. With two games remaining—visits to Houston and a showdown with Cleveland—the Ravens hold a 52% chance of claiming the AFC North, according to The Athletic. Pittsburgh faces a daunting stretch, hosting both the Chiefs and Bengals.
The race for the final two AFC playoff spots is narrowing. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos remain in position, with the Chargers’ rare fair-catch kick win over Denver on Thursday boosting them to the 6-seed. While the Broncos cling to No. 7, their path likely leads to a daunting trip to Buffalo, while staying at No. 6 might bring its own challenges if the Ravens remain hot.
CAMERON DICKER FREE KICK IS GOOD ⚡️
A HISTORIC MOMENT IN FOOTBALL HISTORY.
via @NFL | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/ZbAtLI6GU5
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 20, 2024
After a crucial victory over the Tennessee Titans, the Indianapolis Colts are clinging to playoff hopes, slim as they may be. While the odds are stacked against them, the Colts remain in the hunt, just two games behind the Denver Broncos with two weeks to play. Indianapolis holds key tiebreakers—head-to-head over Miami and a stronger conference win percentage than Cincinnati.
But the road ahead is anything but easy. To even have a chance, the Colts must win their final two games and hope for a series of favorable outcomes. The simplest scenario? The Los Angeles Chargers lose their last two matchups against the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders.
NFC Playoff Picture Following Week 16
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lions (x) | North | 13-2 |
| 2 | Eagles (x) | East | 12-3 |
| 3 | Rams | West | 9-6 |
| 4 | Falcons | South | 8-7 |
| 5 | Vikings (x) | North | 13-2 |
| 6 | Packers | North | 10-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | East | 10-5 |
x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
z = clinched first-round bye
Still Alive
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Buccaneers | South | 8-7 |
| 9 | Seahawks | West | 8-7 |
The Detroit Lions are closing in on a defining moment that could solidify their place atop the NFC. After the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Washington Commanders in dramatic fashion, Detroit’s path to home-field advantage became clearer. With 13 wins already under their belt, the Lions remain the favorites to claim the NFC North, boasting a 66% chance to secure the crown. But the Minnesota Vikings, also at 13 wins, are poised to challenge. Their regular-season finale could determine not just the division but the conference’s top seed. It’s been years since a Detroit-Minnesota clash carried stakes this high.
10-5 START FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1991@budlight | #EasytoCelebrate pic.twitter.com/DrijnlkdlZ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 22, 2024
The playoff road has narrowed for the Seattle Seahawks but isn’t closed. A win over the Bears on Thursday paired with a Rams loss to the Cardinals on Saturday keeps hope alive. The final week could then pit Seattle against Los Angeles in a showdown for the NFC West. Strength of victory would decide the tiebreaker, leaving the Seahawks needing help elsewhere.
The Commanders’ stunning win over Philadelphia secured Washington’s first double-digit win season since 2012. While a playoff berth isn’t yet guaranteed, their chances sit at 94%. Meanwhile, the Eagles face a steep climb to regain the 1-seed but are one win away from another division title.
The Los Angeles Rams, rising from a 1-4 start, now hold an 83% chance to win the West after Sunday’s win over the Jets. Atlanta also controls its destiny after Michael Penix Jr. led the Falcons past the Giants, reclaiming the division lead from Tampa Bay. Owning the tiebreaker over the Bucs, the Falcons’ path to the postseason seems clear: win and the South is theirs.
NFC Playoff Matchups As of Week 16
1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders): BYE
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders) vs. 7. Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West leaders) vs. 6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, NFC South leaders) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card No. 1)
