NFL Playoff Picture: Jaguars, Vikings clinch playoff spots, Pats atop AFC
The playoff picture is becoming much clearer with several teams securing playoff berths during Week 15. There are still numerous spots up for grabs with a few teams cementing their case for postseason entry.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | xy-Patriots | East | 11-3 |
| 2 | xy-Steelers | North | 11-3 |
| 3 | x-Jaguars | South | 10-4 |
| 4 | Chiefs | West | 8-6 |
| 5 | Titans | South | 8-6 |
| 6 | Bills | East | 8-6 |
x- clinched playoff berth
y- clinched division
z- clinched first-round bye
The Patriots clinched the AFC East with a 27-24 victory over the Steelers, taking over the AFC's top spot in the process. Both teams are still vying for home-field advantage and the Patriots take on the Bills next week, while the Steelers face the Texans on Christmas Day.
The Jaguars will be celebrating Sunday, cementing their first playoff berth since 2007 with a 45-7 rout of the Texans. Next week, the Jaguars can clinch the AFC South with a victory over the 49ers, or a Titans' loss to the Rams.
The Chiefs held onto the No. 4 spot with a victory over the Chargers, separating themselves briefly from their divisional rival, and can clinch the AFC West with a victory in one of their two remaining games.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ravens | North | 8-6 |
| 8 | Chargers | West | 7-7 |
| 9 | Raiders | West | 6-8 |
| 10 | Dolphins | East | 6-8 |
The Ravens remained in the No. 7 spot following a 27-10 win over the Browns, but still trail the Bills on a tiebreaker.
The Chargers blew an opportunity to overtake the Chiefs but didn't drop from the No. 8 spot after Saturday's loss.
The Raiders lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Cowboys and it appears their playoff bid will quickly come to an end. They will need to win out against the Eagles and Chargers to have an infinitesimal chance.
At 6-8, it seems unlikely the Dolphins have much of a shot at the playoffs but they're still in the race with a matchup against the Chiefs on Sunday. The Dolphins trail the Raiders because they lost their head-to-head matchup.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | xyz-Eagles | East | 12-2 |
| 2 | xy-Vikings | North | 11-3 |
| 3 | Rams | West | 10-4 |
| 4 | Saints | South | 10-4 |
| 5 | Panthers | South | 10-4 |
| 6 | Falcons | South | 8-5 |
x- clinched playoff berth
y- clinched division
z- clinched first-round bye
The Eagles clinched a first-round bye with a victory over the Giants and are inching closer to wrapping up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Vikings clinched the NFC North with a victory over the Bengals on Sunday and can increase their chances of securing a bye with a win against the Packers next week.
The Rams routed the Seahawks 42-7 and can clinch the NFC West with a win in either of their two remaining games or with a Seahawks loss.
The Falcons face the Buccaneers on Monday and their standing wouldn't be impacted by a victory.
The Saints and Panthers both stayed level with victories on Sunday. In Week 16, the Saints host the Falcons in a divisional clash that could severely impact the standings, while the Panthers take on the Buccaneers. New Orleans holds the tiebreak over Carolina by winning both of the head-to-head matchups.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Lions | North | 8-6 |
| 8 | Seahawks | West | 8-6 |
| 9 | Cowboys | East | 8-6 |
| 10 | Packers | North | 7-7 |
The Lions moved into the No. 7 spot with a 20-10 win over the Bears, combined with the Seahawks' loss to the Rams. Entering Week 16, the Lions hold an advantage over the Seahawks and Cowboys based on their superior win percentage in conference games.
Seattle is still in the playoff race, but its chances of winning the division have dwindled almost entirely after losing to the Rams, and it'll have to win out against the Cowboys and Cardinals to give it a viable chance at the playoffs.
The Cowboys escaped with a victory over the Raiders and square off against the Seahawks in a pivotal showdown for both teams, before taking on the Eagles on New Year's Eve.
Aaron Rodgers returned to action but it wasn't enough to lift the Packers over the Panthers, and they'd officially be eliminated from the playoffs with a Falcons' win Monday night.