The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in an overtime thriller, taking control of the NFC North, while the rest of the NFC has come into focus with two weeks to play. Meanwhile, the AFC has unfinished business heading into Week 17.
That, and more, in this week’s NFL playoff picture check-in.
NFL Playoff Picture
AFC Playoff Picture: Broncos
Note: Division leaders are bolded, playoff probabilities courtesy of the NFL’s official website; x=clinched a playoff berth; y=clinched division; z=clinched a first-round bye.
1. Denver Broncos (12-3) (x) —
2. New England Patriots (12-3) (x) —
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) (x) —
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) (91%) —
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) (x) —
6. Buffalo Bills (11-4) (x) —
7. Houston Texans (10-5) (97%) —
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7) (3%) —
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8) (9%) —
David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThe Denver Broncos remain in the driver’s seat in the race for home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs despite dropping their Week 16 contest with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who all of a sudden have an outside chance at sneaking into the top seed in the conference.
However, the Broncos can lock up the top seed this week with a win over the Chiefs on Christmas and a combination of a Chargers loss or tie, a Patriots loss, a Bills loss or tie, and a Jaguars loss or tie. It’s a long shot, but it’s possible.
The Jaguars’ win over the Broncos put them in position to clinch the AFC South this week with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, provided the Texans lose to the Chargers.
Best of the rest …
New England knocked off Baltimore on Sunday night, keeping the Pats as the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They can clinch the AFC East this week with a win and Buffalo loss or tie. The Patriots take on the Jets, while the Bills host the Eagles. Pittsburgh is currently in control in the AFC North thanks to a wonky win against the Lions and the Patriots beating the Ravens on SNF. The Steelers can clinch the division this week with a win or tie against the Browns, or a Baltimore loss or tie against the Packers. The Texans beat the Raiders in Week 16 to secure their seventh straight win. Houston is still looking up at the Jaguars in the AFC South, but is in control of the seventh (and final) spot in the AFC playoff picture with a 97 percent chance to earn a playoff berth. The Texans can clinch a playoff berth this week with a win or tie against the Chargers, or a Colts loss or tie against the Jaguars. Texans WR Nico Collins celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.NFC Playoff Picture: Seahawks Back on Top, Bears Right Behind, Only Two Spots Remain
Note: Division leaders are bolded, playoff probabilities courtesy of the NFL’s official website; x=clinched a playoff berth; y=clinched division; z=clinched a first-round bye.
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) (x) ↑ 4
2. Chicago Bears (11-4) (x) —
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) (x) —
4. Carolina Panthers (8-7) (42%) ↑ 5
5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) (x) ↓ 4
6. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) (x) —
7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) (92%) —
8. Detroit Lions (8-7) (8%) —
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) (58%) ↓ 5
Bears running back Kyle Monangai | Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesWeek 16 started with a bang, with the Seattle Seahawks beating the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on Thursday night, and continued to be wild into Saturday night, where the Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in an overtime thriller of their own.
The Rams’ loss to the Seahawks not only relinquished control of the division but also dropped them to the fifth seed, as they cling to the NFC’s top wild card spot despite having clinched a playoff berth.
Seattle and Chicago’s massive overtime wins versus divisional foes in Week 16 have the two teams in the top two spots in the NFC with two games to play. The Seahawks lead the NFC West and own the conference’s No.1 seed. Meanwhile the Bears sit atop the NFC North, but are right behind the Seahawks witht he conference’s second seed. Chicago plays San Francisco on Sunday Night Football in Week 17. And with some help from the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, could overtake Seattle for that top spot heading into the final week of the season.
Speaking of the Panthers, they eked out a victory over their divisional rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Sunday to move into first place in their division and the fourth seed in the NFC.
Best of the rest …
The Eagles remained the No. 3 seed in the NFC after clinching the division with a win over the Washington Commanders. The Detroit Lions’ playoff hopes are on life support after losing a wild one to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with NFL.com giving them a mere eight percent chance to make the postseason. Five of the seven NFC playoff berths have been clinched by the Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, Rams, and 49ers, leaving the NFC South’s autobid up for grabs and one final wild card spot, with Green Bay in the driver’s seat over Detroit and the loser of the NFC South race. All other NFC teams have been mathematically eliminated from contention.More playoff talk…
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