NFL playoff races are more chaotic than ever, as the Week 16 game list is coming to an end. In the AFC, the Miami Dolphins got the victory they needed to start a four-point draw for the final playoff spot. The Baltimore Ravens won and the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts lost, leaving all four teams 10-5 going into the final week of the season.
In the NFC, the Chicago Bears must win in Week 17 to secure a playoff spot. The winner between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams will also guarantee a playoff spot. The Seattle Seahawks won NFC West with a win on Sunday.
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 won by y
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 is currently ranked 5th in the AFC playoffs, although the Dolphins have the same record as the Colts, Ravens and Browns. The Dolphins win the tiebreaker over the Colts and Ravens based on the best winning percentage in conference games. The division tiebreaker was used to eliminate Cleveland in the formula, as Baltimore holds the tiebreaker based on the percentage of victories in direct matches.
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
|
y-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 |
division title won by y
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. If Bills wins, Pittsburgh falls to third position, as Buffalo holds the tie face to face.
Remaining schedule: at Browns
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens are in a 4-2 draw with the Colts, Browns and Dolphins at 10-5. Baltimore has a win next week and is currently number 6 seed in the playoffs. The Dolphins win the Colts and Ravens tiebreaker based on the best percentage of game wins in the conference, but the Ravens have held the Colts tiebreaker since Baltimore beat Indianapolis earlier in the season. The division tiebreaker was used to eliminate Cleveland in the formula, as Baltimore holds the tiebreaker based on the percentage of victories in direct matches.
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. The Browns are currently the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff race. The Dolphins win the tiebreaker over the Colts and Ravens based on the best winning percentage in conference games. The division tiebreaker was used to eliminate Cleveland in the formula, as Baltimore holds the tiebreaker based on the percentage of victories in direct matches. Cleveland gets the last spot on Indianapolis, as the Browns beat the Colts earlier in the season.
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. The Dolphins win the tiebreaker over the Colts and Ravens based on the best winning percentage in conference games. The division tiebreaker was used to eliminate Cleveland in the formula, as Baltimore holds the tiebreaker based on the percentage of victories in direct matches. Indianapolis loses the tiebreaker to the Browns and Ravens, as the Colts lost the direct confrontation to the two teams, making them eighth in the AFC playoff.
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. This choice is currently ranked fourth overall in the project.
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
|
z-Chiefs |
14 |
1 |
0 |
.933 |
+128 |
|
e-Raiders |
7 |
8 |
0 |
0.467 |
-45 |
|
e-chargers |
6 |
9 |
0 |
400 |
-59 |
|
e-Broncos |
5 |
10 |
0 |
0.333 |
-122 |
Z-conquered 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
Los Angeles Chargers
What to know: The Chargers came out of a top 10 pick in the draft, with a win over the Broncos. They have their franchise quarterback on Justin Herbert anyway.
Remaining schedule: in Chiefs
Denver Broncos
What to know: Denver blocks a choice in the top ten in the draft, with a loss in Week 17, while the Broncos is playing the rope.
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders
East NFC
e-eliminated from the playoffs
Washington Football Team
What to know: Despite the loss to Carolina, Washington remains first in the division. A victory over the Eagles ends NFC East.
Remaining schedule: on eagles
Dallas Cowboys
What to know: The Cowboys kept their division title hopes alive with a victory over the Eagles, eliminating Philadelphia from the postseason. They need to defeat the Giants and make Washington lose to Philadelphia.
Remaining schedule: in giants
New York Giants
What to know: Giants division title hopes suffered a major blow with the loss to Baltimore. The Giants need to beat Dallas and make Washington lose to Philadelphia to capture NFC East.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
What to know: The Eagles are eliminated from the playoffs after Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. They are in a position to choose from the top 10 in the draft, losing the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Remaining schedule: vs. Washington
NFC North
|
y-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 won by y
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 means that Chicago reaches 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
|
y-santos |
11 |
4 |
0 |
0.733 |
+119 |
|
x-Buccaneers |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0.667 |
+120 |
|
e-Panthers |
4 |
10 |
0 |
286 |
-33 |
|
e-Falcons |
4 |
11 |
0 |
0.267 |
-1 |
division title won by y
x-won playoff point
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, who won NFC South, can win seed number 1 if they are tied in a three-way tie with the Packers and Seahawks at the end of the season.
Remaining schedule: at Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What to know: Tampa Bay won their first playoff spot since 2007, with a resounding victory over Lions. The Buccaneers are currently No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs and can win that position with a victory over Falcons in Week 17.
Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons
Carolina Panthers
What to know: The Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs and are still in play for a top 10 choice in the draft, even with a win over Washington.
Remaining schedule: 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
|
y-Seahawks |
11 |
4 |
0 |
0.733 |
+85 |
|
Rams |
9 |
6 |
0 |
600 |
+65 |
|
Cardinals |
8 |
7 |
0 |
0.571 |
+62 |
|
e-49ers |
6 |
9 |
0 |
0.357 |
-19 |
division title won by y
e-eliminated from the playoffs
Seattle Seahawks
What to know: The Seahawks conquer NFC West after Sunday’s victory over the Rams. Seattle is third in the conference, losing in the tie to New Orleans supported by the percentage of game wins in the conference.
Remaining schedule: in 49ers
Los Angeles Rams
What to know: The Rams still control their fate in the playoffs, even with the loss to the Seahawks. Los Angeles wins a playoff spot with a victory over the Cardinals in week 17. Even if the Rams lose, they will make it to the playoffs if Chicago lose to Green Bay, taking NFC number 7 (Arizona will be No. 6 ). The Rams are eliminated with a defeat and a victory for the Bears.
Remaining schedule: in Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
What to know: The Cardinals guarantee a playoff spot with a win over Rams. If the Cardinals and Bears win, the Bears are the No. 6 seed and the Cardinals are the No. 7 seed and the sheep are the No. 7 seed.
Remaining schedule: in Rams
San Francisco 49ers
What to know: The 49ers were eliminated from the playoff race, but it was a spoiler for the Cardinals with a frustrated victory.
Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks