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Playoff Picture: Cowboys 1st team to reserve a seat

Tim Heitman / USA TODAY Sports

Now that teams have begun clinching spots and watching postseason dreams die, each win matters even more.

Three teams now know for sure they will start their offseason after Week 17, while another has locked up its second postseason trip in the last seven seasons.

AFC

Seed Team Division Record
1 Raiders West 10-2
2 Patriots East 10-2
3 Ravens North 7-5
4 Texans South 6-6
5 Chiefs West 9-3
6 Broncos West 8-4

The NFC West was full of winners on Sunday, which didn't make the playoff picture all that much clearer.

Based on winning percentage in common games, the Raiders have taken over the AFC's top spot, while the Patriots stay in position for a first-round bye. The Ravens will need to continue progressing like they have in order to keep their spot away from the Steelers, but Baltimore's dominance Sunday is a good sign that can happen. The Texans had another supremely underwhelming performance against a decent team, keeping the AFC South's playoff race very much alive.

In the hunt

Seed Team Division Record
7 Dolphins East 7-5
8 Steelers North 7-5
9 Titans South 6-6
10 Bills East 6-6
11 Colts South 5-6

The Dolphins looked like anything but a playoff team in losing 38-6 to the Ravens, making their slide back to seventh seem fitting. Pittsburgh followed wins against lowly teams with a dominant overall performance against the Giants. Three division games in the final three weeks will be huge for its playoff chances. The awfulness of the AFC South has kept the Titans and Colts alive, while the Bills need a minor miracle to get in.

There are three other AFC teams with a mathematical chance of making the playoffs.

NFC

Seed Team Division Record
1 x-Cowboys East 11-1
2 Seahawks West 8-3-1
3 Lions North 8-4
4 Falcons South 7-5
5 Giants East 8-4
6 Buccaneers South 7-5

To the surprise of few, the Cowboys became the first team to clinch a playoff spot Sunday, though they played on Thursday. The Lions finally won a game without some sort of last-minute heroics, which is key to sustaining the confidence necessary to hold on to their division lead. The Falcons need to make sure they avoid a 2015-esque collapse, as the Buccaneers suddenly have a matching record. Seattle has a strong a grip on the NFC West, similar to several previous seasons.

In the hunt

Seed Team Division Record
7 Redskins East 6-5-1
8 Vikings North 6-6
9 Packers North 6-6
10 Cardinals West 5-6-1

Just like that, the Vikings and Packers are even in their hunt for the playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers extended his home winning streak in the month of December on Sunday, and the Packers will keep that Lambeau advantage for two key matchups down the stretch. The Cardinals still don't look consistent, but got a much-needed win over Washington this week. The Redskins need to take advantage of their upcoming schedule, as they face zero winning teams over the next three games.

There are five other NFC teams with a mathematical chance of making the playoffs.

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