The next-to-final week in the NFL — Week 17! — is here for the 2024 season.
And while the current NFL playoff picture is pretty clear in AFC (six of the seven teams have clinched spots) and the NFC (two spots are available), that means there are still squads that are very much alive heading into the penultimate week of regular-season action.
So it’s time for that always fun and sometimes complicated breakdown of what needs to happen for certain teams heading into the week. Let’s break it all down by team and scenario, which we’ve updated after the early Week 17 games.
AFC
Denver Broncos
They lost on Saturday, but if they beat the Chiefs in Week 18, they’re in.
NFC
Detroit Lions
A win AND a Vikings loss to the Packers gives them the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with a bye and home-field throughout the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams
They won, but the Seahawks won too. So, they can clinch via the “strength of victory tiebreaker over the Seahawks, meaning they need 2.5 wins or more from the Vikings, Bills, Commanders, 49ers and Browns to do so.
Philadelphia Eagles
A win over the Cowboys and they claim the NFC East throne. They can do the same if the Commanders lose to the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons
A win over Washington AND a Bucs loss to the Panthers gives them the NFC South crown.
Washington Commanders
They can grab a playoff spot with a win over the Falcons OR if the Bucs lose to the Panthers.
If teams aren’t listed here, it’s because they’ve clinched playoff spots or they’ll need to wait until Week 18 results.
