DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The NFL playoff picture is becoming clearer, with several teams having secured postseason berths and others still vying for the remaining spots. Here’s a breakdown of the current standings and scenarios after week 17.
AFC: 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1):
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Clinched the AFC West division title and secured the No. 1 seed, granting them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3):
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Clinched the AFC East division title and 2 seed.
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5):
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Clinched a playoff berth and currently lead the AFC North.
4. Houston Texans (9-7):
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Clinched the AFC South division title.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6):
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Secured a playoff berth.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6):
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Clinched a playoff spot with a recent win over the New England Patriots.
7. Denver Broncos (9-7):
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Currently hold the final wild-card spot but have not yet clinched a playoff berth.
In The Hunt: 8 Seed:
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 5: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of Miami Dolphins looks on during the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on November 5, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins
In The Hunt 9 Seed:
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals
NFC: 1. Detroit Lions(14-2):
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
It all comes down to week 18 against the Vikings for either the 5th seed or the first seed. Can their injured defense hold up?
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3):
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Clinched the number 2 seed with their week 17 win.
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6):
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Have clinched the NFC West division thanks to the Commanders win.
4. Tampa Bay Bucs (9-7):
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 17: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Leading the NFC South and can clinch the division title with a win next week OR a Falcons loss.
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2):
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
It all comes down to week 18 against the Lions for either the 5th seed or the first seed. No one in the NFC is hotter right now.
6. Washington Commanders (11-5):
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Falcons on SNF and moved into the 6th seed. They could still end up in 7th seed, too.
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5):
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 31: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
In the playoffs, but the loss to MIN moved them to the 7th seed. They could still end up in 6th seed.
In The Hunt: 8th Seed
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Their only way in would be a win in week 18 and a Bucs loss in week 18 (NFC South division)
