Several teams clinched either their division or a playoff berth before Christmas Day in Week 16, clearing up the 2017 postseason picture.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | xyz-Patriots | East | 12-3 |
| 2 | xy-Steelers | North | 11-3 |
| 3 | xy-Jaguars | South | 10-5 |
| 4 | xy-Chiefs | West | 9-6 |
| 5 | Ravens | North | 9-6 |
| 6 | Titans | South | 8-7 |
x- clinched playoff berth
y- clinched division
z- clinched first-round bye
The Patriots locked up a first-round bye for the eighth consecutive season thanks to a win over the Bills and a Jaguars loss. Jacksonville may have been short on motivation as the Titans' loss earlier in the day gifted them the AFC South.
The Steelers can clinch a first-round bye with a win over the Texans on Monday.
Kansas City survived a midseason skid to sneak into the playoffs and win the AFC West for a second straight year. This is the first time the Chiefs have repeated as division champs in franchise history.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Chargers | West | 8-7 |
| 8 | Bills | East | 8-7 |
If the Ravens take down the Bengals in Week 17, they will secure a playoff spot. The AFC teams on the outside looking in will then need the Titans to fall in order to sniff the postseason.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | xyz-Eagles | East | 12-2 |
| 2 | xy-Vikings | North | 12-3 |
| 3 | xy-Rams | West | 11-4 |
| 4 | x-Saints | South | 11-4 |
| 5 | x-Panthers | South | 11-4 |
| 6 | Falcons | South | 9-6 |
x- clinched playoff berth
y- clinched division
z- clinched first-round bye
The NFC South is still up for grabs, but the Saints control the race, needing a win over the Buccaneers to wrap up the division. However, a New Orleans loss with a Panthers win over the Falcons would give Carolina the division. If that scenario plays out and the Vikings also lose to the Bears next week, Carolina will earn a week off during the wildcard round.
The Rams meet the red-hot 49ers in Week 17 as the Saints chase the division crown, but neither team can surpass the Vikings for a first-round bye.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Seahawks | West | 9-6 |
Atlanta holds the tiebreaker over the Seahawks, so a Seattle loss to the Cardinals in the final week would clinch a second straight playoff berth for the Falcons. To avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Seahawks need a win and for the Panthers to beat the Falcons.
The Seahawks' win over the Cowboys on Sunday eliminated Dallas from postseason contention.
