The NFL playoff race is coming down to the wire with only two weeks remaining in the 2024 regular season. Heading into the crucial Week 17 slate, 13 teams have already been eliminated while nine have punched their ticket to the postseason. But there’s still a lot to be decided, with division titles and the No. 1 seeds in both conferences up for grabs.
Who’s Already In?
So far, the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans have clinched their respective divisions. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers have also secured playoff berths.
AFC Clinching Scenarios
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs can lock up the coveted No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with either a win over the Steelers or a Bills loss to the Jets. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are also in position to clinch wild card spots with victories this week.
- Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed with: Win OR Bills loss
- Chargers clinch playoff berth with: Win OR Colts loss + Dolphins loss
- Broncos clinch playoff berth with: Win
NFC Clinching Scenarios
Over in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams can secure the NFC West crown with a win plus a Seahawks loss. The Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons are battling for their division titles, while the Washington Commanders aim to wrap up a postseason berth. And the Detroit Lions are eyeing the No. 1 seed.
- Rams clinch NFC West with: Win + Seahawks loss OR win + strength of victory tiebreaker
- Eagles clinch NFC East with: Win OR Commanders loss
- Falcons clinch NFC South with: Win + Buccaneers loss
- Commanders clinch playoff berth with: Win OR Buccaneers loss
- Lions clinch No. 1 seed with: Win + Vikings loss
Current Playoff Matchups
If the season ended today, here’s what the first round of the playoffs would look like:
| AFC | Matchup |
| 2. Bills | vs. 7. Broncos |
| 3. Steelers | vs. 6. Chargers |
| 4. Texans | vs. 5. Ravens |
| 1. Chiefs | BYE |
| NFC | Matchup |
| 2. Eagles | vs. 7. Commanders |
| 3. Rams | vs. 6. Packers |
| 4. Falcons | vs. 5. Vikings |
| 1. Lions | BYE |
Of course, the NFL standings and seeding can change quickly, especially with head-to-head matchups between contenders over the final two weeks. The margin for error is razor-thin, and one upset could dramatically alter the landscape. It all sets the stage for a photo finish as teams make their final playoff push.
Will Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs earn the right to host the AFC playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium? Can Jared Goff lead the upstart Lions to the NFC’s No. 1 seed in his first year in Detroit? We’ll get clarity on those fronts and more in a momentous Week 17. The only thing we know for sure is that the intensity will be ramped up as teams try to extend their seasons and move one step closer to the Super Bowl.
