2024-25 NFL Playoff Scenarios: AFC, NFC, Week 16, Pictures and Predictions | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

2024-25 NFL Playoff Scenarios: AFC, NFC, Week 16, Pictures and Predictions | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles greets AJ Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The lions are people, after all.

It took a superhuman effort from Josh Allen, but Detroit’s 11-game winning streak ended Sunday, perhaps leaving the door open for Philadelphia to clinch the top spot.

The Eagles, winners 10 times in a row, don’t have a tiebreaker because their conference record is worse, but the difference is just one game and the Lions still have to play the Vikings in the finals.

Speaking of Minnesota, this club could still secure the NFC North crown with a win. There’s even a chance for Green Bay to get into the mix as part of a wild finish, although that’s less likely to come to fruition given how many things would have to go in the Packers’ favor.

Outside of that group, things are technically wide open in the NFC, where only two playoff spots have been secured, no division titles have been awarded and only three teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. In reality, things feel more solid.

The Buccaneers’ win over the Chargers gave Tampa a tighter grip on the NFC South lead, and there’s no good reason to believe that Atlanta, which has lost four straight, or New Orleans, which has been 3-3 since Week 3. 9 has lost, the race will come back into play.

Then all eyes could be on the NFC West as Los Angeles just passed Seattle and is in control of its destiny. However, if the Rams fail, the Seahawks are there and the Cardinals remain within striking distance. The 49ers are also mathematically in the mix, but they may be too banged up for that to matter.

Our crystal ball sees the Eagles stealing the top spot from the Lions, but that’s about as far as the changes go. There’s some temptation to call for the Seahawks to advance in the NFC West, but that’s an impossible prediction without knowing the severity of Geno Smith’s knee injury.

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