Ravens clinch spot, Eagles butterfly

Ravens clinch spot, Eagles butterfly

The NFL regular season is almost into its final two weeks.

Looking at the playoff landscape, five spots in the AFC are already secured, including three division titles. Then there’s the NFC, where there are three teams, and the Green Bay Packers can reach fourth place with a win Monday Night Football.

As the season draws to a close, we take a look at the AFC and NFC playoff pictures, as well as what needs to happen in the home stretch for the teams to claim victory.

Additionally, All playoff probabilities come from The Athletic’s model.

AFC: WHO’S IN

Record: 14-1, first place, AFC West

Remaining opponents over .500:2

Playoff probability: 100%

By defeating the Houston Texans on Saturday, the Chiefs were one win or loss away from the Buffalo Bills and would have secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed for the fourth time in Patrick Mahomes’ career.

Record: 12-3, first place, AFC East

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

Buffalo managed to beat the New England Patriots and keep its hopes of being the top seed alive. In the worst case scenario, however, the Bills would have at least secured second place.

Record: 10-5, first place, AFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

Due to a conference record tiebreaker, the Steelers are still ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North race despite losing to them on Saturday. However, the Steelers now play the Chiefs while Baltimore visits Houston on Christmas.

Record: 9-6, first place, AFC South

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

Houston has secured the AFC South title and cannot advance beyond the third seed.

Record: 10-5, second place, AFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

The Ravens have a chance to move up to the third seed next week if they beat the Texans, and the Steelers lose at home to the Chiefs on Christmas.

Record: 9-6, second place, AFC West

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 94%

If the Chargers beat the Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders in the final two weeks, they will be either the fifth or sixth seed.

Record: 9-6, third place, AFC West

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 75%

Denver must win one of its final two games to secure the playoffs. The Broncos play the Cincinnati Bengals on the road on Saturday before coming home to host the Chiefs in Week 18.

ON THE HUNT

Indianapolis Colts (7–8): The Colts need to win and get help, but they finish the season with games against the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Miami Dolphins (7–8): Miami needs to assert itself and achieve positive results elsewhere. The Dolphins have road games against the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.

Cincinnati Bengals (7–8): Cincinnati needs to win against the Broncos and Steelers and then suffer at least one more loss against the Broncos, Dolphins and Colts.

NFC: WHO’S IN

Record: 13–2, first place, NFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

The Lions handled the Chicago Bears with ease after losing to the Bills last weekend. Next up is the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium before hosting the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

Record: 12-3, first place, NFC East

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

Philadelphia lost to the Washington Commanders and had quarterback Jalen Hurts suffer a concussion, potentially jeopardizing the next few weeks. One more win or loss for Washington and the Eagles win the NFC East.

Matthew Stafford, quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford and the Rams scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 19-9 win over the Jets. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Record: 9-6, first place, NFC West

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 83%

Los Angeles has put itself in an excellent position by beating the Jets. The Rams have a one-game lead in the NFC West, with the Arizona Cardinals next up on a Saturday night at SoFi Stadium.

No. 4: Atlanta Falcons

Record: 8-7, first place, NFC South

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 48%

Atlanta now controls its own destiny. If the Falcons can win their final two games, starting with Washington on Sunday night, they will win the NFC South and host at least one playoff game.

Record: 13-2, second place, NFC North

Remaining opponents over .500:2

Playoff probability: 100%

Minnesota continued to move toward the No. 1 seed in the NFC despite currently being a wild card team. With two more wins, albeit against the Green Bay Packers and Lions, the Vikings will secure home advantage in the NFC playoffs.

Record: 10-4, third place, NFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 99%

Green Bay plays at home against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. If the Packers win, they will remain the No. 6 seed. A defeat would put them behind Washington.

Record: 10-5, second place, NFC East

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 94%

By beating the Eagles, Washington reduced its magic number to one. If the Commanders win one of their final two games, starting next Sunday night at home against the Atlanta Falcons, they will be in the playoffs.

ON THE HUNT

Seattle Seahawks (8–7): Seattle’s home loss to the Vikings doesn’t mean the end of its postseason dream, but now the Seahawks need to win and get help.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8–7): The Buccaneers were upset by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. To win the division, Tampa Bay must win at least one more game than the Falcons in the final two weeks.

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