The 2024 NFL regular season is winding down with just three weeks remaining, and the playoff picture is coming into focus. Nine teams have already been eliminated from postseason contention, while seven have clinched a playoff berth. Let’s take a look at the clinching scenarios for Week 16 and the current playoff standings.
AFC Playoff Picture
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans have already locked up playoff spots. The Chiefs and Bills are battling for the coveted first-round bye that comes with the No. 1 seed. Kansas City can secure that top spot with a win over Houston plus a Buffalo loss to New England.
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers are in the driver’s seat for the two remaining wild card berths. Denver clinches a playoff spot with a win Thursday night over the Chargers or a specific combination of losses by Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Miami on Sunday. The Chargers get in with a victory plus losses by the Colts and Dolphins.
AFC North up for grabs
The AFC North title will likely be decided in a showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The Steelers claim the division crown with a win, while Baltimore needs a victory plus losses by the Colts and Dolphins to clinch a playoff spot. It’s setting up to be a fierce battle between these longtime rivals.
I mean, at this point in the season, you want to be playing your best football. It’s December football. It’s time to roll.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens quarterback
NFC Playoff Picture
Over in the NFC, the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings have punched their playoff tickets. The Eagles can wrap up the NFC East title with a win at Washington on Sunday. The Commanders are also fighting for a wild card spot and can get in with a victory plus losses by the Falcons and either the Rams or Seahawks.
The NFC North champion will be the winner of the Week 18 matchup between the Lions and Vikings. Detroit currently holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Green Bay Packers are in good shape for a wild card, able to clinch with a win Monday night or a specific combination of other NFC results over the weekend.
Bucs control NFC South
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ path to a second straight NFC South title is straightforward. A victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday or a New Orleans Saints loss to the Packers on Monday night seals the deal. No other team in the division has a winning record.
There’s no room for error and there’s no room for backing down from anybody we play.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers quarterback
Current NFL Playoff Matchups
If the season ended today, here’s how the playoff brackets would look:
AFC
- Wild Card: (7) Chargers at (2) Bills
- Wild Card: (6) Broncos at (3) Steelers
- Wild Card: (5) Ravens at (4) Texans
- Bye: (1) Chiefs
NFC
- Wild Card: (7) Commanders at (2) Eagles
- Wild Card: (6) Packers at (3) Buccaneers
- Wild Card: (5) Vikings at (4) Rams
- Bye: (1) Lions
There’s still plenty that can change over the final three weeks of the season, but the NFL playoff picture is getting clearer by the day. Week 16 provides a chance for several more teams to stamp their ticket to the postseason. Get ready for some critical December football!
