NFL 2022 playoff picture, standings: Jaguars control AFC South destiny, Giants one win away from playoffs

The NFL playoff races are going down to the wire after the Saturday state of games in Week 16. The race for home-field advantage will be a good one between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, with the Cincinnati Bengals having an outside shot heading into next week’s showdown with the Bills. 

The Baltimore Ravens are back in the playoffs after their win Saturday, holding serve with the Bengals in the race for the AFC North. The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the AFC South lead with two games to play — thanks to the Tennessee Titans continuing their free fall. 

The NFC wild card race seems to be coming down to the wire as none of the four teams currently in the race won Saturday, thus the New York Giants and Washington Commanders held serve for the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds in the playoff race. 

Two weeks remain until the playoffs. Below, you can find a division-by-division breakdown of the current standings and what each contender is facing on their schedule the rest of the way. 

AFC East

y-clinched division title

Buffalo Bills

What to know: The Bills locked up the AFC East title with Saturday’s win over the Bears, and still hold the No. 1 seed in the conference with the head-to-head tiebreaker on the Chiefs. They clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and Chiefs loss next week. 

Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Patriots

Miami Dolphins

What to know: Miami is the No. 7 seed in the AFC and has a 1.5-game lead over New York and New England for the final playoff spot in the conference. They still will have at least the No. 7 seed with a win or loss Sunday. The Chargers currently hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Dolphins for the No. 6 seed (Los Angeles plays Monday at Colts). 

Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at Patriots, vs. Jets

New England Patriots

What to know: The Patriots’ playoff chances are dimming with their loss to the Bengals. They are one of four teams tied at 7-8, but hold the conference-record tiebreaker over the Titans and Steelers. They hold the division tiebreaker by sweeping the Jets. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Bills

New York Jets

What to know: The Jets are the No. 9 seed in the playoffs, losing the division-record tiebreaker to the Patriots. They hold the better win percentage in common games against the Titans and a conference-record tiebreaker over the Steelers. 

Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, at Dolphins

AFC North