NFL Playoff Picture: Packers secure NFC North title; wild-card matchups set
The NFL playoff picture is complete after a thrilling slate of games Sunday.
NFC
The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions both clinched playoff berths after the Washington Redskins lost to the New York Giants. The Packers clinched the NFC North title and the No. 4 seed with a victory over the Lions, and will play a home game against the New York Giants.
The Atlanta Falcons captured the No. 2 seed upon beating the New Orleans Saints 38-32. Atlanta previously clinched its first playoff berth since 2012.
The Dallas Cowboys already clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs prior to Week 17, and rested the majority of their starters in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Seattle Seahawks locked up the No. 3 seed with a 25-23 win against the San Francisco 49ers, and will host the Lions.
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cowboys | East | 13-3 |
| 2 | Falcons | South | 11-5 |
| 3 | Seahawks | West | 10-5-1 |
| 4 | Packers | North | 10-6 |
| 5 | Giants | East | 11-5 |
| 6 | Lions | North | 9-7 |
Wild Card
| Matchup | Date | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions at Seahawks | Saturday | 8:15 p.m. EST | NBC |
| Giants at Packers | Sunday | 4:40 p.m. EST | FOX |
AFC
The Kansas City Chiefs locked up the No. 2 seed after defeating the San Diego Chargers 37-27 and the Oakland Raiders lost 24-6 to the Denver Broncos. As a result, Oakland falls to the No. 5 seed and will play the Houston Texans.
Earlier in the day, the New England Patriots clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs after routing the Miami Dolphins 35-14. New England sits atop the conference with a 14-2 record and previously clinched the AFC East title for the eighth consecutive year, while Miami remains in the No. 6 spot.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans were locked into the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds respectively prior to Week 17 after winning their divisions. Pittsburgh will host Miami during wild-card weekend.
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patriots | East | 14-2 |
| 2 | Chiefs | West | 12-4 |
| 3 | Steelers | North | 11-5 |
| 4 | Texans | South | 9-7 |
| 5 | Raiders | West | 12-4 |
| 6 | Dolphins | East | 10-6 |
Wild Card
| Matchup | Date | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders at Texans | Saturday | 4:35 p.m. EST | ESPN |
| Dolphins at Steelers | Sunday | 1:05 p.m. EST | CBS |