The NFL playoff teams are starting to take shape as week 16 games are coming to an end. In the AFC, the Miami Dolphins got the victory they needed to start a four-point tie in the AFC for their place in the final playoff. The Baltimore Ravens won, while the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts lost – as all four teams are between 10 and 5 in the final week of the season.
In the NFC, the Chicago Bears must win in Week 17 to secure their place in the final playoff in the NFC. Chicago overtook the Arizona Cardinals – who lost on Saturday – to take the last place in the conference playoff.
Below, you can find a breakdown by split analysis of the current standings, how each club fared in week 15 and what they have next on the schedule.
AFC East
division title x-conquered
e- eliminated from the playoffs
Buffalo Bills
What to know: TBD after Monday’s game at the Patriots
Remaining schedule: in the Patriots, vs. Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
What to know: The Dolphins made an unlikely recovery over the Raiders and only need to win in Week 17 to secure a playoff spot. Miami conquers its first season of 10 victories since 2016.
Remaining schedule: in accounts
New England Patriots
What to know: TBD after Monday’s game against bills
Remaining schedule: vs. accounts, vs. jets
New York Jets
What to know: The Jets win two consecutive matches to get rid of the draft’s No. 1 choice. New York will have the second choice.
Remaining schedule: in Patriots
AFC North
|
x-Steelers |
12 |
3 |
0 |
800 |
+106 |
|
Ravens |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0.667 |
+130 |
|
Browns |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0.667 |
-13 |
|
e-Bengals |
4 |
10 |
1 |
300 |
-78 |
x- division title won
e- eliminated from the playoffs
Pittsburgh Steelers
What to know: The Steelers won the AFC North division title with their victory over the Colts. Pittsburgh is currently runner-up in the AFC playoffs, with Bills only playing on Monday. Seed # 2 is the highest that Pittsburgh can reach.
Remaining schedule: at Browns
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens are in a draw with the Colts, Browns and Dolphins. Baltimore has a win next week.
Remaining schedule: in Bengals
Cleveland Browns
What to know: A loss to the Jets does not end the Browns’ hopes in the playoff. Cleveland has a win next week, despite a four-game draw with Miami, Baltimore and Indianapolis.
Next game: vs. Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals
What to know: Bengals have won consecutive games and are currently not among the top five choices in the draft.
Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens
AFC South
e- eliminated from the playoffs
Tennessee Titans
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Packers
Remaining schedule: at Packers, Texans
Indianapolis Colts
What to know: The Colts are in a four-way tie for the playoffs with the Browns, Dolphins and Ravens. They need a victory in week 17 and one of these three teams lose to reach the playoffs, due to losing the tiebreaker with each of these teams.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars
Houston Texans
What to know: Texans are playing the rope, but they don’t have a choice in the top five in the draft – this belongs to Miami. Houston is currently in fourth overall position in the draft.
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: The Jaguars won the first overall choice in the draft with the loss to the Bears and the Jets beating the Browns.
Remaining schedule: at Colts
AFC West
home advantage
e-eliminated from the playoffs
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs gained the advantage of playing at home and said goodbye in the first round of the AFC with the victory over the Falcons.
Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
What to know: The Raiders were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss to the Dolphins. Vegas loses the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Remaining schedule: in Broncos
Denver Broncos
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Chargers
Remaining schedule: in Chargers, vs. Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game against Broncos
Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos in Chiefs
East NFC
Washington Football Team
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game against the Panthers
Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers at the Eagles
Dallas Cowboys
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game against the Eagles
Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles in Giants
New York Giants
What to know: Giants division title hopes suffered a major blow with the loss to Baltimore. They need a defeat in Washington to get a chance at the beginning of Week 17.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Cowboys
Remaining schedule: in Cowboys, vs. Washington
NFC North
|
x-packers |
11 |
3 |
0 |
0.786 |
+95 |
|
Bears |
8 |
7 |
0 |
0.533 |
+21 |
|
e-Vikings |
6 |
9 |
0 |
400 |
-47 |
|
e-Lions |
5 |
10 |
0 |
0.333 |
-140 |
division title x-conquered
e- eliminated from the playoffs
Green Bay Packers
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game against Titans
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans at the Bears
Chicago Bears
What to know: The Bears take seventh place in the NFC with a sweeping victory over the Jaguars. A victory over the Packers in Week 17 – or a defeat by the Cardinals – and Chicago makes it to the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: vs. Packers
Minnesota Vikings
What to know: The Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs after Friday’s loss to the Saints. This will be the second time in three years that Minnesota will miss the postseason.
Remaining schedule: in Lions
Detroit Lions
What to know: Lions lose 10 games in a season for the third consecutive year after being eliminated by the Buccaneers. They will be playing for a top 10 pick in the draft next week.
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings
NFC South
|
x-Saints |
11 |
4 |
0 |
0.733 |
+119 |
|
z-Buccaneers |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0.667 |
+120 |
|
e-Panthers |
4 |
10 |
0 |
286 |
-33 |
|
e-Falcons |
4 |
11 |
0 |
0.267 |
-1 |
division title x-conquered
Z-won local playoff
e- eliminated from the playoffs
New Orleans Saints
What to know: Saints are in the middle of a game behind Green Bay for the top seed in the conference with a win over Saints on Friday, and the Packers have a draw against each other. New Orleans has the tiebreaker over Seattle for the runner-up based on having a better record in conference games, so it will remain with Friday’s victory. The Saints won the NFC South.
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings at the Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What to know: Tampa Bay won their first playoff spot since 2007, with a resounding victory over Lions. Buccaneers are currently number 5 in the NFC playoffs, but the Rams play on Sunday.
Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons
Carolina Panthers
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game in Washington
Remaining schedule: in Washington, vs. Saints
Atlanta Falcons
What to know: The Falcons are in line with a choice among the top five after losing to the Chiefs.
Remaining schedule: in Buccaneers
NFC West
|
z-Seahawks |
10 |
4 |
0 |
0.714 |
+74 |
|
Rams |
9 |
5 |
0 |
0.643 |
+76 |
|
Cardinals |
8 |
7 |
0 |
0.571 |
+62 |
|
e-49ers |
6 |
9 |
0 |
0.357 |
-19 |
Z-won local playoff
e-eliminated from the playoffs
Seattle Seahawks
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game against Rams
Remaining schedule: vs. Rams in 49ers
Los Angeles Rams
What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Seahawks
Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, on Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
What to know: A loss to the 49ers means that Arizona will need help reaching the playoffs. Bears took the number 7 position with their victory over the Jaguars on Sunday. Arizona needs a victory and a defeat for Chicago in Week 17 to reach the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: in Rams
San Francisco 49ers
What to know: The 49ers are eliminated from the playoff race, but played a spoiler for the Cardinals with the win turned.
Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks