With Christmas weekend behind us, the NFL playoff races are as wild and confusing as ever, making the homestretch of the season one we’ll likely remember. The AFC and NFC each enter Week 17 with 12 teams still mathematically alive.
The playoff standings are so crazy, we’ll be switching to a conference format rather than divisions from this point forward. Below, the tiebreakers for each team will be explained.
Here’s a breakdown of the current standings and what each contender is facing with Week 17 set to kick off Thursday night when the Jets visit the Browns.
AFC playoff picture
| 1 |
yz-Ravens |
12 |
3 |
0 |
.800 |
+173 |
| 2 |
yz-Dolphins |
11 |
4 |
0 |
.733 |
+147 |
| 3 | y-Chiefs |
9 |
6 |
0 |
.600 |
+68 |
| 4 | y-Jaguars |
8 |
7 |
0 |
.533 |
-12 |
| 5 | x-Browns | 10 | 5 | 0 | .667 | +34 |
| 6 | x-Bills | 9 | 6 | 0 | .600 | +127 |
| 7 | x-Colts | 8 | 7 | 0 | .533 | -18 |
| 8 | Texans | 8 | 7 | 0 | .533 | -3 |
| 9 | Steelers | 8 | 7 | 0 | .533 | -34 |
| 10 | Bengals | 8 | 7 | 0 | .533 | -27 |
| 11 | Raiders | 7 | 8 | 0 | .467 | -9 |
| 12 | Broncos | 7 | 8 | 0 | .467 | -50 |
| 13 | e-Jets | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 | -84 |
| 14 | e-Titans | 5 | 10 | 0 | .333 | -47 |
| 15 | e-Chargers | 5 | 10 | 0 | .333 | -44 |
| 16 | e-Patriots | 4 | 11 | 0 | .267 | -110 |
z-clinched playoff berth
x-current playoff team
y-division leader or clinched division
e-eliminated
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens remain two games ahead of the Browns in the AFC North and still the No. 1 seed in the conference after their blowout win over the 49ers. They’ll clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Dolphins in Week 17.
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, vs. Steelers
Miami Dolphins
What to know: Miami entered Week 16 as the No. 2 seed in the AFC and remain there with their huge win over the Cowboys. The Dolphins play the Ravens in Week 17 and clinch the No. 1 seed if they win out.
Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Bills
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs lead the AFC West by two games over the Broncos, even with their loss to the Raiders. They are currently the No. 3 seed, eliminated from home-field advantage in the AFC.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, at Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: The Jaguars are still the No. 4 seed in the AFC. Thanks to the Texans and Colts losses, the Jaguars are still first in the AFC South. The Jaguars own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Texans and Colts, despite losing four in a row.
Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers, at Titans
Cleveland Browns
What to know: The Browns are the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They sit 1.5 games out of the AFC North lead and are up two games over the final wild card spot. They just need one win in their final two games to clinch a playoff berth.
Remaining…
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