It's about time to post what teams are able to get in and what other teams need to get in the playoffs! Two teams in the AFC, Bills and Chiefs, and four teams in the NFC, Eagles, Cowboys, 49ers, Vikings, have already clinched their spot. That leaves eight total spots left to fill out the playoff bracket. But, more than eight teams are fighting for these spots! It wouldn't be the home stretch without it! Let's get to it!
1 seed: Buffalo Bills (11-3, own the head to head over K.C.)
Clinched: Playoff berth
Can Clinch: AFC East title with a win or Miami loss
Remaining schedule: at Bears, at Bengals, Patriots
They've won five straight since that heartbreaker against the Vikings (which is probably still game of the year - depending on what you thought of the Patriots-Raiders), and have continued to hold off the Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC. The team has had it's up and downs, especially QB Josh Allen during midseason, but, they are slowly rounding in to playoff form and the most recent win over Miami shows that are ready for January football and the conditions it brings. The game against the Bengals is shaping up to be a big one.
2 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)
Clinched: AFC West
Remaining schedule: Seahawks, Broncos, at Raiders
They've won seven out of their last eight games since losing the tiebreaker to the Bills. The only other loss is another key tiebreaker - Bengals. They'll need help to catch the Bills for the top spot but their schedule is very manageable. Perhaps they'll be paying attention to the week 17 Bills-Bengals game? They haven't looked as particularly dominant lately but, they have gotten wins, which is all that matters this time of year. When you have one of the (perennial) lead candidates for MVP as your QB, with a hall of fame TE, you expect the team to figure things out on offense for sure. Defensively, during this same eight game stretch, only three teams (Tennessee, Jacksonville, Rams) have scored less than 23 points on the Chiefs. Maybe that isn't so problematic when you score nearly 30 points a game.
3 seed: Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)
Can clinch: Playoff berth win a win or Jets loss
Remaining schedule: at Patriots, Bills, Ravens
The remaining schedule isn't easy but, does this team care? They haven't lost since Halloween and are probably the most dangerous team in the AFC (maybe even the league but San Fran says hi) right now. They are clicking on both sides of the ball and were able to turn in on in the second half against the Bucs last weekend to turn a fairly decent deficit in to an easy win. They already have a tiebreaker over the Chiefs and the week 17 game against the Bills will decide another tiebreaker - and also possibly the playoff seeding fate of the top three teams in the AFC. Then follow up with a possible winner take the division game against the Ravens. Huge games.
4 seed: Tennessee Titans (7-7)
Remaining schedule: Texans, Cowboys, at Jaguars
The deathly freefall has reached a serious point. Four straight losses, coupled with the Jags winning three of their last five (including a MONSTER win over playoff bound Dallas), and the division lead is down to a single game. What makes things worse is that the remaining schedule is not simple:
The Texans have had SEVEN games in which they were tied/leading in the fourth quarter this season. They have also given good/elite teams a scare.
Dallas is playoff bound, is still chasing Philadelphia in the division, and are holding off other wild card contenders should they not get the division.
Jacksonville is on fire right now and they have already BEATEN the Titans in their first meeting (36-22 in week 14).
If the Jags continue to play well (they have the easier schedule), the Titans may not be able to prevent the season finale in Jacksonville being a winner-take-all.
5 seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Can clinch a playoff berth with:
Win + two of the following three losing: Miami, New England, Jets
Or
Chargers winning + New England, Jets, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Tennessee ALL losing
Remaining schedule: Falcons, Steelers, at Bengals
There are additional scenarios that involve ties that I didn't include in the clinching scenarios. Life without QB Lamar Jackson has been tough and it has made one of the easier remaining schedules really difficult. That was evident in their loss to the Browns last week, though, some of the problems they were having in that game were WITH Lamar still out there. But, all is not lost. Winning out will get them the division, a top three seed, and have them hosting a playoff game. The problem is that the longer Lamar sits, the harder that is to accomplish.
6 seed: Los Angeles Chargers (8-6, own the head to head over Miami)
Can clinch: Playoff berth with a win + losses by Las Vegas, New England and the Jets
Remaining schedule: at Colts, Rams, at Broncos
There is a tie scenario that involves Miami, as well. The bottom line is this: win and your chances of getting in the playoffs shoot up big time. Rebounding from that tough loss to Vegas and winning the last two over playoff hopeful teams (Tennessee and Miami) has gotten the Bolts to the 6 seed and in the thick of the wild card picture. The schedule is set up for them to get more wins and improve their standing. It's up to them to get it done.
7 seed: Miami Dolphins (8-6)
Remaining schedule: Packers, at Patriots, Jets
Remember when they were near the top of the division (and conference)? It seems like forever ago as three straight losses have killed all the good vibes of five straight wins that preceded it. Now, they are currently in the final spot in the wild card picture and are facing a cold weather wild card game if they get in. The good side of that is, they played Buffalo very well in snowy conditions last weekend. The bad part, they lost. Three tough games remain for the Fins and how they handle it will determine if we will be watching them on wild card weekend next month.
If the Season Ended Today...
Divisional Bye: Bills
Super Wild Card Weekend:
Dolphins @ Chiefs
Chargers @ Bengals
Ravens @ Titans
Teams Still in the Hunt
8. New England Patriots (7-7, own the head to head over the Jets)
Remaining schedule: Bengals, Dolphins, at Bills
The continued mastery of the Jets allows the Patriots to stay ahead of them in the standings for a wild card spot but, they have to absolutely KICKING themselves after doing the most ridiculous set of laterals I've ever seen against the Raiders. I literally sat on my couch yelling as the play unfolded as I couldn't believe what I saw. That win was seriously needed as they have one of the toughest remaining three games in the NFL.
9. New York Jets (7-7)
Remaining schedule: Jaguars, at Seahawks, at Dolphins
Losers of three straight and four of the last five has put a damper on playoff hopes and what has been otherwise a good season. With QB Zach Wilson set to start the home finale on Thursday against a feisty and VERY good Jags team, this could spell the beginning of the end for the Jets. I'm sure HC Robert Saleh (as well as much of that Jets locker room) would have loved to see QB Mike White recover and get back out there. I don't blame them. He has given them a better chance to win as of late when he played.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)
Remaining schedule: at Jets, at Texans, Titans
The Jags currently own the tiebreaker over the other three teams at 6-8 (including a head to head over the Raiders). With that said, while a wild card berth is likely out of reach (not gonna rule it out), don't rule these Jags out. HC Doug Pederson has turned around the entire team and it starts with the growth in QB Trevor Lawrence. In what was their best win of the season, they came back from multiple scores down and beat the playoff bound Cowboys in walk-off pick-six fashion. Couple that with Tennessee losing their fourth straight and these Jags are believers - not just in a possible playoff berth, but maybe a division crown. If they win out, they'll do just that. Party in Duval.
1 seed: Philadelphia Eagles (13-1)
Clinched: Playoff berth
Can Clinch: NFC East and #1 seed in NFC playoffs with a win
Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, Saints, Giants
They've controlled their own destiny and have continued to win to make sure it stayed that way with their one-week-at-a-time approach. One more win in their remaining three games and everything is locked up, playoff-wise. This team has more immediate concerns and bigger goals, though. After gutting out a win in Chicago, it was discovered that QB Jalen Hurts has suffered a sprained throwing shoulder which will leave him in doubt for the next game against the Cowboys. Now Hurts himself and HC Nick Sirianni has said that there is a chance that Hurts plays, as well. I can't help but feel like this is a little gamesmanship to prevent the Cowboys from planning properly. Either way, balancing the health of the franchise QB is key as the playoffs loom in a few weeks.
2 seed: Minnesota Vikings (11-3)
Clinched: NFC North
Remaining schedule: Giants, at Packers, at Bears
Being on the right side of history in that historic comeback win keeps them mathematically alive for the top seed in the NFC while keeping them a game up on the 49ers for the two seed. That previously mentioned comeback is now the largest comeback in the over 100 year history of the NFL. And, again, it ended in a one score win for the Vikings. They really have mastered the one score game as they now have a league leading 10 wins (while being an NFL best 10-0) in games that are decided by one score. The team that has the next most one score wins with eight comes to town this weekend.
3 seed: San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
Clinched: NFC West
Remaining schedule: Commanders, at Raiders, Cardinals
The division is wrapped up and they are applying the heat on the Vikings to keep winning. QB Brock Purdy has played well in relief of relief QB Jimmy G while the defense continues to impose its will as the best in the league. The last three games are set up well for the 49ers to win out and apply serious pressure on the Vikings to keep winning for that 2 seed. The Niners could realistically roll in to the playoffs on a 10 GAME WIN STREAK. Not bad for a team that was 3-4 and just gotten blown out a week before Halloween.
4 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)
Remaining schedule: at Cardinals, Panthers, at Falcons
They've lost three of five and are STILL leading the NFC South. They have the best chance of winning the division, STILL, and are probably the best team in the division, STILL. Two divisional games remain on the schedule for the Bucs and while they clearly need a win for good vibes in Arizona this weekend, those final two weeks are gonna make or break the Bucs season. I wonder if the team misses Bruce Arians' coaching among other things like specific players...
5 seed: Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Clinched: Playoff berth
Remaining schedule: Eagles, at Titans, at Commanders
The Christmas Eve showdown is upon us and its lost a lot of its shine due to recent events. On the Eagles front, QB Jalen Hurts is suffering from the sprained throwing shoulder and he might not even play even though he and their coach says he might. On the Cowboys front, they've been struggling as of late and suffered a huge loss in OT to the surging Jaguars down in Duval. They are still mathematically alive for the division and also are nearly locked in to the five seed. The latter of the two points will likely start up more discussion about teams that finished the season better than division winners. The other two games after that home finale are also not gimmes even though both teams have struggled lately.
6 seed: New York Giants (8-5-1)
Can clinch:
Playoff berth with a win + a loss from two of the following: Commanders, Seahawks, Lions
Remaining schedule: at Vikings, Colts, at Eagles
They got the win they badly needed to vault themselves in to more secure playoff positioning. Yes, it was aided by the refs on two plays, but that's the NFL. Nothing can be done about it but move on to the next game. Can this team, that has ALL OF ITS WINS BY ONE SCORE, get a road win against the team that has mastered the one score win? It would likely be their biggest win of the season. Just don't hope to get that same kind of luck from the refs again.
7 seed: Washington Commanders (7-6-1)
Remaining schedule: at 49ers, Browns, Cowboys
This is a time where I am glad that I no longer live in Northern Virginia. I can only imagine what sports talk radio, and the local fanbase, sounds like right now after that loss. It was a very good game, none the less, and, as an Eagles fan, I enjoyed the chaos. I honestly thought they were going to tie again. Moving on from that, the Commanders have to regroup if they want to keep their hold on the final wild card spot. They have a tougher road than the Giants, who are in front of them, and also a tougher road than the Seahawks, Lions and Packers, teams that are right behind them in the standings.
If the Season Ended Today...
Divisional Bye: Eagles
Super Wild Card Weekend:
Commanders @ Vikings
Giants @ 49ers
Cowboys @ Buccaneers
Teams Still in the Hunt
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7, own tiebreaker over Detroit)
Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, Jets, Rams
It almost felt inevitable, as the losses continued to mount (they've lost four of five) and the 49ers kept winning, that the Niners were going to take the division. Now, sitting outside of the playoff picture at the moment, the Seahawks are going to have to string some wins to get in the playoff picture.
9. Detroit Lions (7-7)
Remaining schedule: at Panthers, Bears, at Packers
Three straight wins and six of their last seven (only loss was on Thanksgiving to the Bills) has gotten the Lions in the playoff mix. Don't be surprised if they win out with a VERY manageable schedule to finish the regular season. 10 wins might be enough to get them in the dance. Coach of the Year honors for Dan Campbell if they pull this off.
10. Green Bay Packers (6-8)
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, Vikings, Lions
Mathematically alive still after winning two straight, the Packers are playing with pride and QB Aaron Rodgers is doing what he said he would do. It will likely take winning out and perhaps a little help to get in the playoffs but, they are fighting and believing that they can do just that.
11 - 13. The Rest of the NFC South (5-9)
I'm not going to write about each team here and I will instead sum it up simply. All three teams trail the Bucs by a game. Atlanta has the worst divisional record (1-4, only win against Carolina). Carolina is tied with Tampa for the best divisional record (3-1) and is the ONLY team in the division that has beaten the Bucs this year (with another game to play against them). Atlanta and New Orleans only have one divisional game remaining and it's not against each other. New Orleans swept Atlanta (only divisional wins). Tampa swept New Orlerans. Tampa and Carolina have two divisional games remaining including the aforementioned rematch. Someone has to win this division to host a playoff game.
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