The Eagles win the division, the Rams are also close

Each week during the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates on the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture – typically starting after late games on Sunday afternoon and continuing through the remainder of the week (through Monday and Thursday). games or Saturdays, if applicable.)

What just happened? What does it mean? What relevant factors (and perhaps the deciding factors) will play a prominent role as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to emerge? Everything will be explained and analyzed until the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, January 5th.

Here’s where things stand in Week 17 of the 2024 season:

NFC playoff picture

x – 1. Detroit Lions (13-2), NFC North leaders: Last week, they were in a three-way tie at the top of the conference and tied with Minnesota for the league lead. But Philadelphia’s loss in Week 16 makes it increasingly likely that the Lions and Vikings will be playing for every major regular-season spot in Week 18. The win gives the Lions everything they want, including home field advantage. That also applies to a win in San Francisco on Monday night combined with a Minnesota loss to Green Bay. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Vikings

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J – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), NFC East champions: Despite being down to a third-string quarterback, they clinched the division title on Sunday and likely the No. 2 seed as well. There probably isn’t much to gain in Week 18, other than Saquon Barkley’s potentially single-season rushing record . Remaining schedule: vs. Giants

3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6), NFC West leaders: Arizona’s elimination on Saturday night could mean the division title as the win tiebreaker unfolds in Los Angeles on Sunday. “Honestly, I have no idea,” WR Puka Nacua said of the crucial scenario when asked about the triumph on NFL Network. “They said we had a game at SoFi Stadium on Saturday night, so I came there.” Otherwise, there is a meeting against Seattle in Week 18 that could still decide. Neither the Rams nor the Seahawks have a path to a wild card berth. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7), NFC South leaders: Their win over the Panthers puts them back in first place for now, although Atlanta would reclaim it with a win on Sunday night – but that could also open up a wild card path to the Bucs. Remaining schedule: against saints

x – 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2), Wild Card No. 1: Like Detroit, they control their own potentially fruitful destiny – win, and the NFC North and No. 1 seed belong to Minnesota. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at Lions

x – 6. Green Bay Packers (11-4), Wild Card No. 2: The win against Detroit and the already one-off loss to Minnesota resulted in the Pack being demoted to wild-card status … although the Saints’ whitewash on Monday was the final reminder that this is, in fact, the final NFC North team could be something you want to see in January. But given that the Packers are guaranteed to open the playoffs on the road, it will be interesting to see how often they let their key players play over the next two weeks, as that presents limited opportunities. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (10-5), No. 3 seed: A win in Week 17 puts Washington in the game, but they are now out of the NFC East race. A loss could be extremely problematic in the tiebreaker area as it would open up an alternate path for the Bucs, who beat Washington in Week 1. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7), in the hunt: If they and the Rams end up 10-7, which would require a Seahawks win at LA in Week 18, the undetermined strength of victory tiebreaker will prove crucial, likely in LA’s favor. However, that assumes the Seahawks aren’t eliminated first on Sunday after the Rams beat the Cardinals. Remaining schedule: at Rams

9. Atlanta Falcons (8-7), in the hunt: The Bucs’ win on Sunday means the Falcons can’t close out the division this week – and must win to stay ahead of Tampa Bay. Remaining schedule: at Commanders vs. Panthers

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AFC playoff image

yz – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), AFC West champions: By beating Pittsburgh on Christmas, they secured home-court advantage and a first-round bye – and, in effect, more than two weeks off, depending on who they choose to face in the now-meaningless Contest of Champions in Week 18. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, BYE

J – 2. Buffalo Bills (13-3), AFC East champions: They secured the No. 2 seed by embarrassing the Jets on Sunday. Second place in the conference should still matter considering the road to Super Bowl 59 could come via Western New York if the Chiefs lose their playoff opener. Buffalo doesn’t have to go on the road for a playoff game unless the AFC Championship is in Kansas City. Remaining schedule: at Patriots

x – 3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5), AFC North leaders: Catch fire? Probably an understatement. The Steelers’ Christmas kickoff loss in Baltimore moved the Ravens to the top of the division, and their dominant win over Houston keeps them there. A win or draw in Week 18 will decide. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns

J – 4. Houston Texans (9-7), AFC South champions: They’re reigning over a weak division for the second straight year, but Wednesday’s loss locked them into fourth place… which will likely mean a tough wild-card matchup against an AFC North team, albeit in Houston. Remaining schedule: at Titans

x – 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Wild Card No. 1: That’s three straight losses, and Wednesday’s poor performance against KC cost them first place in the AFC North. However, they can clinch the division title by winning in Week 18 If Baltimore also loses to Cleveland. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals

x – 6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6), Wild Card No. 2: The Patriots’ loss on Saturday tied Bolts to the field and ensured Jim Harbaugh was a playoff contender in four of his five NFL seasons as a head coach. But after losing to the Ravens and Steelers earlier this season, the Chargers will most likely be the sixth seed – and likely travel to Baltimore or Pittsburgh for a rematch. Remaining schedule: at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (9-7), wild card No. 3: They had win-and-in scenarios in their last two games and lost both times. But another win – or draw – would put Denver in the playoffs for the first time since they won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning and Von Miller nearly nine years ago. The Broncos’ Week 18 game against Kansas City essentially means nothing to the Chiefs – which could be a real advantage for Denver, which can’t do better than the seventh seed. Remaining schedule: vs Chiefs

8. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), in the hunt: Still alive thanks to a four-game winning streak, including Saturday’s overtime thriller against Denver. Although they seem like the best team outside of the postseason, the Bengals still need the most help getting in, including at least a loss to the Dolphins after the Indianapolis Colts were eliminated on Sunday. Cincinnati also has to beat Pittsburgh in Week 18 and hope Denver loses again. Although the Bengals overtook Miami on Saturday, the Dolphins hold the tiebreaker (AFC record) that would take them past Cincinnati if they win again. Remaining schedule: at Steelers

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8), in the hunt: Technically alive after the Week 16 win and with a soft schedule heading out. They advance if they win their last two games and the Broncos lose in Week 18. Remaining schedule: at Browns, at Jets

NFL playoff win scenarios for Week 17

Detroit secures NFC North and No. 1 seed in NFC (first-round bye and home advantage) with:

▶ Win + Minnesota loss

Los Angeles Rams win NFC West with:

▶ On Sunday, the tiebreaker against Seattle must win

(Note: Rams secure the win strength tiebreaker with 1½ or more wins from the following teams: Cleveland, Minnesota, San Francisco and Washington. A draw is equivalent to half a win in this formula.)

Washington secures the playoff spot with:

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The Eagles win the division, the Rams are also close

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