As we enter the final two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture is becoming clearer. Half of the NFL divisions and 10 out of 14 playoff spots have already been secured as we approach “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17. While there is still much to be decided, particularly in terms of seeding positions, here is the most recent update on the playoffs, seeding positions, and matchups:
NFL Playoff Picture:
Twelve teams have already clinched a playoff spot following the conclusion of “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17. Below are the teams grouped by conference:
AFC:
– Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
– Buffalo Bills (13-3)
– Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
– Houston Texans (9-7)
– Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
– Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
NFC:
– Detroit Lions (13-2)
– Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
– Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
– Green Bay Packers (11-5)
– Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
– Washington Commanders (11-5)
NFL Division Winners 2024:
Five out of the eight NFL divisions have been clinched. Here is the current status of each division as Sunday’s games continue:
AFC:
– AFC East: Buffalo Bills (13-3)
– AFC North: TBD
– AFC South: Houston Texans (9-7)
– AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)*
NFC:
– NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
– NFC North: TBD
– NFC South: TBD
– NFC West: Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
(*): The Kansas City Chiefs have secured home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
NFL Playoff Bracket Update – Wild Card Matchups:
AFC:
– No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners): BYE
– No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners) vs. No. 7 Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)
– No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders) vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)
– No. 4 Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winner) vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)
As the regular season winds down, the race for playoff seeding intensifies. Stay tuned for further updates as Week 17 results unfold.
The Minnesota Vikings secured the top seed in the NFC with a record of 14-2, leading the NFC North division. They earned a bye week in the playoffs, positioning themselves favorably for a deep postseason run. The NFC North has proven to be the strongest division in football based on win-loss records, making the battle for the No. 1 seed highly competitive. Minnesota’s critical victory over the Green Bay Packers kept their hopes alive for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
In the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the division title with a record of 13-3. Despite a setback against the Washington Football Team in Week 16, the Eagles managed to secure at least the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. To contend for the top seed, they need to defeat the New York Giants in Week 18 while hoping for the Detroit Lions to stumble and the Vikings to drop a game.
The Los Angeles Rams emerged as the champions of the NFC West with a 10-6 record, ensuring themselves the No. 3 seed in the postseason. Their victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 sealed their division title, marking their first NFC West triumph since 2021. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders secured a wild card spot with an 11-5 record, setting up a matchup with the Rams in the playoffs.
Over in the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the lead with a 9-7 record following a commanding win over the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers are in a tight race with the Atlanta Falcons for the division crown, knowing they must finish ahead of the Falcons due to Atlanta holding tiebreaker advantages. If Tampa Bay secures a win against the New Orleans Saints in the upcoming week, they will claim the division title for the second consecutive year.
The Detroit Lions, with a 13-2 record, are currently in the wild card No. 1 spot but face pressure from other teams vying for playoff berths. Their seeding position hinges on the outcomes of their remaining games, with a Monday Night Football clash against the San Francisco 49ers holding significant implications.
In the AFC, the playoff picture is also taking shape. The Kansas City Chiefs lead the way with a stellar 15-1 record as winners of the AFC West division. The Buffalo Bills (13-3) secured the AFC East title, while the Baltimore Ravens (11-5) topped the AFC North. The Houston Texans (9-7) claimed the AFC South crown, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) and Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) secured wild card spots.
The Denver Broncos (9-7) are also positioned as a wild card team, with the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals still in contention for playoff berths. In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have all clinched playoff spots, with the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and Green Bay Packers also in the.
