The NFL playoffs are quickly approaching and the NFL playoff picture is becoming clearer.
Many teams have been eliminated from playoff contention while some still hold on to hope.
Three AFC teams have clinched their division while zero NFC teams having clinched their division.
Below, we look at an updated NFL playoff picture.
NFL Playoff Picture
First, we look at an updated NFC playoff picture.
NFC Playoff Picture
Here is a look at the NFC playoff picture.
1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
Detroit can clinch the number one seed in the NFC in week 17 with a win and a Minnesota loss. If the Lions win their remaining two games (@ San Francisco 49ers, vs Minnesota Vikings) they will have home-field advantage in the playoffs and get the bye week.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
The Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win in week 17. They blew their chances of clinching the division in week 16 and fell a game behind the Lions and Vikings for first in the NFC. In all likelihood, the Eagles are looking like they will finish second in the NFC. They have an easy remaining two games (vs Dallas Cowboys, vs New York Giants) and will win at least one of those games to win the NFC East.
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
The Rams can clinch the NFC West with a win and a Seahawks loss in week 17. Another way for the Rams to clinch the NFC West is beating Seattle in week 18. LA’s remaining schedule is two home matchups against the Cardinals in week 17 and the Seahawks in week 18.
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
The Falcons are now first in the NFC South because the Bucs lost to the Cowboys in week 16. Atlanta can clinch the NFC South in week 17 with a win and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss. The Falcons are at the Washington Commanders in week 17 and then have a home matchup against the Carolina Panthers in week 18. Atlanta has a daunting week 17 matchup while the Bucs have two fairly easy games remaining. The Falcons will rely on rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. to deliver a critical win in week 17.
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
The Minnesota Vikings control their destiny. If the Vikings win their remaining two games (vs Green Bay Packers, @ Detroit Lions), they wil win the NFC North andl finish first in the NFC. If Minnesota loses in week 17, they need the Lions to also lose in week 17 or else they will not have a chance to win the division.
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
Green Bay can clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie on Monday Night Football in week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. All the Packers need to do is win one of their remaining games (vs New Orleans Saints, @ Minnesota Vikings, vs Chicago Bears) and the Packers are in the playoffs. They do not have a chance of winning the NFC North.
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)
Playoffs are simple for the Commanders. They need to win one of their remaining two games (vs Atlanta Falcons, @ Dallas Cowboys) and the Commanders will be in the playoffs. Washington can also win the NFC East by winning their remaining two games and the Eagles lose both their remaining games.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) (In The Hunt)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a dreadful week 16. They fumbled the NFC South lead by losing on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. The Bucs have an easy schedule remaining (vs Carolina Panthers, vs New Orleans Saints) but they need the Falcons to lose one of their remaining games and the Bucs need to win both their games. Atlanta has a tough matchup on the road against the Commanders in week 17, so playoff hopes are still alive for the Bucs. Washington needs to win to clinch a playoff spot.
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7) (In The Hunt)
Losing in week 16 hurt Seattle’s chances of making the playoffs. They need to win both their remaining games (@ Chicago Bears, @ Los Angeles Rams) and need the Rams to lose in week 17. Seattle can not make the playoffs via a wild-card spot, so they need to win the NFC West.
AFC Playoff Picture
Here is a look at the AFC playoff picture.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
Kansas City can clinch the number one seed in week 17 with a win or a Buffalo loss. The Chiefs just need to win one of their two remaining games (@ Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos) to finish first in the AFC.
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
Buffalo barely beat the Patriots in week 16 but they kept hopes alive for the number one seed in the AFC. They need to win out (vs New York Jets, @ New England Patriots) and hope the Chiefs lose out to finish first in the AFC. In all likelihood, the Bills will wind up with the two seed in the AFC.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
The Steelers had a horrible week 16. They are no longer in contention for finishing first in the AFC, though that was an uphill battle. They also had a chance to clinch the AFC North but failed to do so by losing to the Baltimore Ravens. For the Steelers to win the division, they need to win their remaining two games (vs Kansas City Chiefs, vs Cincinnati Bengals). Baltimore has an easier remaining two games and has the momentum. Pittsburgh still has the lead in the AFC North but losing one of their remaining two games would give the Ravens the edge if Baltimore wins out.
4. Houston Texans (9-6)
Houston won the AFC South for a second straight year. While they can finish third in the AFC, they will likely finish fourth in the AFC. For the Texans to finish third, they need to win their two remaining games (vs Baltimore Ravens, @ Tennessee Titans) and have the Steelers lose their two remaining games.
5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 16 and are still in contention to win the AFC North. They already clinched a playoff spot with their week 16 win over the Steelers. Baltimore can win the division by winning both their remaining games (@ Houston Texans, vs Cleveland Browns) and the Steelers lose one game. If the Ravens lose one game, they need the Steelers to lose both their remaining games to win the division.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
Los Angeles has a very easy schedule (@ New England Patriots, @ Las Vegas Raiders). They helped themselves tremendously by defeating the Denver Broncos in week 16. The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win in week 17 or week 18.
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)
The Broncos had a chance of clinching a playoff spot in week 16 but lost on the road against the Chargers. They still control their destiny. They need to win one of their remaining two games (@Cincinnati Bengals, vs Kansas City Chiefs). Denver can clinch a playoff spot with a win in week 17. If they lose to the Bengals in week 17, this puts a ton of pressure on Denver against the Chiefs in week 18. Depending on if the Chiefs win in week 17, they may or may not have a lot to play for in week 18.
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8) (In The Hunt)
The Colts remain alive for a playoff spot but they need help. Indianapolis must win their remaining two games (@ New York Giants, vs Jacksonville Jaguars). They also need the Broncos to lose their remaining two games.
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8) (In The Hunt)
Miami kept their slim playoff hopes alive by defeating the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The Dolphins need help to get in. They need the Colts to lose a game and the Broncos to lose both their remaining games. Miami needs to win their remaining two games as well to have any chance of making the playoffs(@ Cleveland Browns, @ New York Jets). Tua suffering a concussion and missing four games hindered their season.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) (In The Hunt)
Cincinnati is barely alive but they can still make the playoffs. It will take a lot for the Bengals to get in. They need to win their remaining two games, have the Colts and Dolphins each lose a game, and have the Broncos lose both their remaining games. Denver and Cincinnati face one another in week 17, and Denver plays the Chiefs in week 18. Cincinnati play the Steelers on the road in week 18.
