The AFC playoff picture will come into focus with one spot remaining. The Los Angeles Chargers completed their playoff run with a win over the New England Patriots on Saturday, but the final playoff spot will be in the final week of the season.
The Cincinnati Bengals stayed alive in the playoff race with their thrilling overtime win over the Denver Broncos, but the Indianapolis Colts were eliminated with their loss to the New York Giants. The Miami Dolphins are also alive in the playoff race. Denver can still clinch the playoff spot with a win over the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18.
In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams moved one step closer to the NFC West. They could once again dominate the division on Sunday under this conditionor just defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put pressure on the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South title with an explosive victory over the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons face the Washington Chiefs on Sunday night.
Below is a breakdown of the conference standings as the Week 17 slate ends:
AFC playoff picture
z — reached the first stage
y — the major difference
x — location of the mounted game
yes — eliminated from the playoffs
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
The Chiefs wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home field advantage with their win over the Steelers. Kansas City gets one season in the conference and could rest the starters in Week 18.
The rest of the list: to the Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
The Bills needed the Kings to miss to still have a shot at the first seed. That didn’t happen, so the Bills went out and wrapped up the No. 1 seed. They will face the No. 1 seed. 7 in the wild-card round.
The rest of the list: to the Patriots
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
The Ravens took over the lead in the AFC North with their win and loss over the Steelers, taking a one-game lead over Pittsburgh last week. A Steelers win or loss in Week 18 gives Baltimore the split.
The rest of the list: vs. Browns
4. Houston Texas (9-7)
The Texans have already won the AFC South. He will be the No. 1 seed. 4 in the AFC and will have a home game in the wild-card game of the playoffs.
The rest of the list: to the Titans
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
The Steelers lost the lead in the AFC North after falling to the Chiefs. They need a win and a Ravens loss last week to win the division. They hold a tiebreaker over the Chargers for the No. 1 seed. 5 to beat Los Angeles in Week 3.
The rest of the list: against the Bengals
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
The Chargers reached the playoffs with their victory over the Patriots.
The rest of the list: to the Raiders
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
The Broncos are one win away from reaching the playoff spot, despite their overtime loss to the Bengals. They need to win in Week 18 to earn a playoff spot.
The rest of the list: against the Kings
8. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
The Bengals are still alive in the AFC playoff race, thanks to their overtime win over the Broncos. They will make the playoffs if they win in Week 18 and the Broncos lose to Miami and lose one of their last two games.
The rest of the list: to the Steelers
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
The Dolphins’ AFC playoff hopes are still alive, but Miami will be eliminated with a loss in one of its final two games.
The rest of the list: to the Browns, to the Jets
Eliminated game controversy
Seven teams have been eliminated from the playoff race in the AFC: Raiders, Patriots, Titans, Jets, Jaguars, Browns and Colts.
An image of the NFC game
y — the major difference
x — location of the mounted game
yes — eliminated from the playoffs
1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
The Lions remain the No. 1 seed. 1 meeting. They are also tied for the lead in the NFC North with the Vikings, but are tied for the head-to-head. Detroit will enter the No. 1 seed. 1 with Minnesota’s wins and losses.
The rest of the list: at 49ers, vs. Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Philadelphia won the NFC East and the No. 1 seed. 2 in its win over the Cowboys. The Eagles are always in the hunt for home field advantage, but they need the Lions to lose and the Vikings to lose to the Packers in Week 17.
The rest of the list: against the Giants
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
The Rams maintain their lead in the NFC West by a game over the Seahawks with their win over the Cardinals. Los Angeles wins next week with a win, or in Week 17 if two of the five teams (Browns, Vikings, Commanders, 49ers) win due to strength of schedule.
The rest of the list: against the Seahawks
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
The Falcons temporarily hold the lead in the NFC South. Atlanta holds the head-to-head lead over Tampa Bay and dominates the division.
The rest of the list: in Commanders, vs. Panthers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
The Buccaneers take over the lead in the NFC South after beating the Panthers. They need to finish with a better record than the Falcons to win the division as they lost both games to Atlanta.
The rest of the list: against the Saints
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
Minnesota remains the top wild-card team in the conference and is tied with Detroit for first place in the NFC North. Detroit still has the division lead in the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The rest of the list: vs. Packers, at Lions
6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
The Packers clinched a playoff berth and are currently the No. 1 seed. 6 in NFC.
The rest of the list: at Vikings, vs. Bears
7. Washington Chiefs (10-5)
The Commanders can wrap up the playoffs with a win over the Falcons on Sunday night.
The rest of the list: against the Falcons, at the Cowboys
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
The Seahawks are a game behind the NFC West leaders, but they are on life support. They may be eliminated in Week 17 because of this A strange playoff scenario but even if they beat the Rams in Week 18, they need a miracle to get in.
The rest of the list: to the Rams
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
The Falcons temporarily hold the lead in the NFC South. Atlanta holds the head-to-head lead over Tampa Bay and dominates the division.
The rest of the list: in Commanders, vs. Panthers
Eliminated game controversy
The Cardinals, Cowboys, 49ers, Saints, Bears, Panthers and Giants have been eliminated from the playoffs.
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