theScore's Michael McClymont and Jack Browne predict the outcome of every remaining regular-season game to reveal what the end-of-year playoff picture could look like.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Current Record | End Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-2 | 13-3 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 6-2 | 13-3 |
| 3 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-2 | 12-4 |
| 4 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-3 | 10-6 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 3-5 | 9-7 |
| 6 | Tennessee Titans | 4-3 | 9-7 |
On the strength of their head-to-head Week 15 meeting with the Patriots -which, thankfully for the Steelers, will be played at Heinz Field - Pittsburgh earns the tiebreaker and the top seed in the AFC.
Despite their strong start, the Chiefs settle for the third seed. Meanwhile, in the AFC South, the Jaguars beat the Titans in the last week of the season to win the division.
In a stunner, the Chargers, who began the year 0-4, lose just two games in the back half of the season to steal a wild-card spot.
Just missed out
| Seed | Team | Current Record | End Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Baltimore Ravens | 4-4 | 8-8 |
| 8 | Buffalo Bills | 5-3 | 8-8 |
| 9 | Oakland Raiders | 3-5 | 7-9 |
Inconsistency mars the seasons of the Ravens and Raiders, who just miss out on the postseason, while the Bills are predictably undone by a late-season swoon. Losses to the Saints, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Patriots (twice) ensure the league's longest playoff drought continues.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Current Record | End Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks | 5-2 | 13-3 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Eagles | 7-1 | 13-3 |
| 3 | Minnesota Vikings | 6-2 | 12-4 |
| 4 | New Orleans Saints | 5-2 | 11-5 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Rams | 5-2 | 10-6 |
| 6 | Atlanta Falcons | 4-3 | 9-7 |
The fight for the No. 1 seed is a two-team battle for the rest of the season, but the Seahawks' win over the Eagles in a mouth-watering Week 13 matchup seals home-field advantage for Russell Wilson and Co.
The Vikings easily clinch the NFC North thanks to a Teddy Bridgewater-inspired four-win streak to end the season. The quarterback's return provides a much-needed feel-good story.
Meanwhile, the Saints hold off the Falcons, ending their three-year stint without a playoff appearance in impressive fashion - but not as impressive as the Rams, who make their first postseason appearance since 2004.
Just missed out
| Seed | Team | Current Record | End Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dallas Cowboys | 4-3 | 9-7 |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers | 5-3 | 9-7 |
| 9 | Detroit Lions | 3-4 | 9-7 |
Ezekiel Elliott is set to play in Week 9, but in all likelihood, the running back misses nearly all of the rest of the regular season. Dak Prescott keeps Dallas in it, but can't quite get the Cowboys to 10 wins. In the NFC South, the Panthers sputter after the Kelvin Benjamin trade and have to sit at home while their two divisional rivals play in January.
Fittingly, the Packers pull out a surprise win in Week 17 to rob Detroit of a playoff spot. This NFL season may be strange, but the Lions are still the Lions.
