With five playoff spots and division titles still on the line in the final two weeks of the season, the NFL action continues. After a couple of Christmas games and the Seattle Seahawks’ victory over the Chicago Bears on “Thursday Night Football,” there are three more days of games this week. Saturday will see a three-game lineup, followed by nine more games on Sunday, leading up to the final “Monday Night Football” showdown of the season.
There’s a lot at stake in the remaining 13 games. This week could see winners determined in all four NFC divisions, with three more teams having a chance to secure playoff berths by the end of Week 17.
As the regular season heads into its penultimate week, here are the latest updates on the NFL playoff picture:
– Nine teams have already clinched playoff spots: AFC – Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers. NFC – Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers.
– After the latest Thursday night game, there are still five division titles up for grabs, including all four in the NFC. The teams that have already clinched their divisions are: AFC East – Buffalo Bills, AFC South – Houston Texans, AFC West – Kansas City Chiefs, NFC East – TBD, NFC North – TBD, NFC South – TBD, NFC West – TBD.
– The Kansas City Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Steelers on Christmas Day, giving them home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
– In the AFC playoff bracket, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have clinched the top two seeds, while the race for the No. 7 seed is still open.
– The Baltimore Ravens have taken the lead in the AFC North and are currently seeded third, while the Los Angeles Chargers hold the sixth seed.
As the playoff picture starts to take shape, the competition intensifies as teams aim to secure their spots in the postseason.
The Los Angeles team is one win away from securing a playoff spot, or they could clinch it if both the Colts and Dolphins lose or tie. The Chargers have a chance to claim the No. 5 seed if they win their remaining games and the Steelers lose in Week 18. It looks like there could be a rematch between the Harbaugh brothers in the wild-card round, with John Harbaugh’s Ravens having won the first matchup against the Chargers earlier in the season.
In another matchup, the Houston Texans, who have already won their division, will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently in the No. 5 seed. The Texans can finish no lower than the No. 4 seed, and the Steelers could drop to as low as the No. 7 seed with a loss in Week 18. The AFC playoff picture is still uncertain with several teams vying for seeding.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions are in control of the No. 1 seed, but the race is still open with the Vikings also in contention. The Lions have set a franchise record with 13 wins and are looking to secure the top seed for the first time. The Philadelphia Eagles are leading the NFC East but are chasing the top seed and will need help from other teams to secure a first-round bye.
The Los Angeles Rams are leading the NFC West and can clinch the division title with wins in their last two games. The Green Bay Packers have already clinched a playoff spot but will have to start their playoff journey on the road. The NFC playoff picture is still taking shape with several teams fighting for playoff spots and seeding.
The Atlanta Falcons have been on a roll, winning four of their last five games and maintaining a strong 5-2 record on the road. Although they are out of contention for the division title, their recent performances have solidified their position as a formidable playoff team in the NFC.
The upcoming matchup between the No. 4 seed Atlanta Falcons and the No. 5 seed Minnesota Vikings is highly anticipated. The Falcons, currently leading the NFC South, are in a tight race with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they head into the final stretch of the season. If they can maintain their position at the top of the division, they will have the advantage of hosting the second-place team from the NFC North, which is currently the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings, with a record of 13-2, have the opportunity to overtake both their division and the conference standings with two wins in the remaining games. Under the leadership of head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Sam Darnold, the Vikings have had a successful season, potentially matching the franchise record for single-season wins. With just one more win needed to secure the top NFC wild-card spot, the Vikings are poised to be a challenging opponent for any team in the playoffs, especially with their impressive 5-1 road record this season.
Looking at the broader NFL playoff picture, the AFC is set with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos securing their spots. The Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals remain in contention for a wild-card spot.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Washington Commanders have clinched their playoff berths. The Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot.
As the regular season nears its conclusion, the playoff scenarios are becoming clearer, with teams jockeying for favorable positions and fighting for their postseason lives. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining the final playoff standings and setting the stage for an exciting postseason in the NFL.
