Associated Press

The 49ers, Cowboys and Cardinals are out of the playoff race. The Falcons took control of their hopes with help, and the Colts, Dolphins and Bengals kept their chances slim.

The NFL’s playoff picture became clearer on Sunday.

With two weeks to go, three of eight division titles are secured, eight teams have secured playoff spots and 11 more are competing for the six remaining spots.

The biggest change in the standings came in the NFC South, as Atlanta reclaimed the top spot from Tampa Bay.

Here’s a breakdown by department:

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills: secured their fifth straight division title weeks ago. Buffalo overcame a 14-0 deficit to secure a 24-21 victory over the woeful Patriots. The Bills (12-3) still have a shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but need to win and need the Chiefs to lose two games. Josh Allen injured his elbow against New England but left the game.

Miami Dolphins: A 29-17 win over San Francisco kept Miami in the running for a wild card spot. The Dolphins (7-8) have to beat the Browns and Jets on the road and will get a lot of help.

AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh Steelers: They have suffered two straight losses, the most recent being a 34-17 loss to Baltimore on Saturday that prevented the Steelers (10-5) from winning the division. It will be a challenge for an injury-depleted team to face Kansas City for three days on Christmas Day. Russell Wilson and the passing game are missing injured wide receiver George Pickens. Pittsburgh controls its division hopes and needs wins over the Chiefs and Bengals to win the division.

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry delivered a big win over the Steelers and the Ravens (10-5) can now win the division with two wins and a loss against Pittsburgh. Baltimore visits Houston on Christmas Day and ends at home against Cleveland.

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow threw three TD passes to take a 39-37 lead over Jackson, and the Bengals (7-8) beat the Browns 24-6 to stay in the game. Cincinnati needs to beat the Broncos and Steelers and get a lot of help.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: Already won their second straight division title. However, the Texans (9-6) are reeling after being without outside linebacker Tank Dell, who suffered a serious knee injury, in a 27-19 loss to Kansas City on Saturday. Houston will likely get the No. 4 pick.

Indianapolis Colts: They stayed in the race with a 38:30 win over the Titans. The Colts (7-8) should beat the Giants and Jaguars to finish the season, but they will need a lot of help to get in.

AFC WEST

Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes and Co. are 14-1, have won their ninth straight division title and are aiming for a three-peat in the Super Bowl. With another win, the Chiefs secure number 1 and home advantage in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Chargers: They’re in line for the No. 6 seed after a 34-27 win over Denver on Thursday night that gave them the win of the season. The Chargers (9-6) can get the No. 6 seed with a win over the Patriots or Raiders a wildcard spot.

Denver Broncos: They are one win away from securing their first playoff berth since winning a Super Bowl nine years ago behind a stout defense and Peyton Manning. The Broncos (9-6) visit the Bengals and close out their home game against Kansas City.

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles: They blew a 21-7 lead and lost 36-33 to Washington, a blow to their hopes of clinching the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Jalen Hurts’ value to the Eagles (12-3) became clear when the offense struggled following a concussion. Kenny Pickett led Philadelphia to 26 points, but he threw a pick, three straight drives ended in punts and the offense settled for four field goals in the second half. The Eagles will win the division with a win over the Cowboys or Giants and will most likely finish in second place.

Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels threw five TD passes against the NFL’s toughest defense as the Commanders (10-5) moved closer to a playoff berth. To win the division title, they must win and the Eagles must lose twice.

NFC NORTH

Detroit Lions: Beat the Bears 34-17 for their franchise-best 13th win. The Lions (13-2) can win the division and secure the No. 1 seed with a win over San Francisco and Minnesota’s loss to Green Bay. Or the NFC’s division and top seed could drop in Week 18 when the Vikings visit Detroit.

Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 27-24 win in Seattle that kept Minnesota (13-2) in the hunt for the No. 1 seed. To make it, they have to beat the Packers at home and the Lions on the road.

Green Bay Packers: A win over New Orleans on Monday night will earn them a wild card spot. The Packers (10-4) are 0-4 against the Lions, Eagles and Vikings, but get a chance against Minnesota.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: A 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Michael Penix Jr.’s first career start and Tampa Bay’s 26-24 loss in Dallas moved Atlanta back into first place. The Falcons (8-7) defeated the Buccaneers to retain the tiebreaker. They have a tough game ahead of them in Washington and close out the regular season at home against the Panthers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lost control of the division with a disappointing loss to the Cowboys. The Buccaneers (8-7) need to beat the Panthers and Saints at home and need the Falcons to lose once. They could enter the playoffs as a wild card team if they win and the Commanders lose twice.

NFC WEST

Los Angeles Rams: A 19-9 win against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets and Seattle’s loss to Minnesota gave the Rams an insider tip for the division title. The Rams (9-6) can win the West with a win over the Cardinals and a Seahawks loss to the Bears.

Seattle Seahawks: They have been eliminated from wild card contention. The Seahawks (8-7) can only make the playoffs if they win the division. They need the Rams to lose to Arizona and they need to win. If the Rams beat the Cardinals and both teams finish 10-7, there’s a tiny chance Seattle could win the division in the fifth tiebreaker.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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