NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LX.
AFC
Seed
Team
Division
Record
1
Broncos (y)
West
13-3
2
Patriots (x)
East
13-3
3
Jaguars (x)
South
12-4
4
Steelers
North
9-7
5
Bills (x)
East
11-4
6
Texans (x)
South
11-5
7
Chargers (x)
West
11-5
x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
Four teams remain in the mix for the AFC’s 1-seed. The Denver Broncos control their destiny and will secure home-field advantage and a first-round bye with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers next week. The Broncos hold the common game tiebreaker over the New England Patriots, who would capture the conference’s top spot with a win over the Miami Dolphins and a Broncos loss in Week 18.
If both the Broncos and Patriots lose, the Jacksonville Jaguars would take the No. 1 seed with a victory over the Tennessee Titans. Finally, the Buffalo Bills must win out (versus the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets) and get help in the form of losses from Denver, New England, and Jacksonville next week to finish at the top of the conference standings.
In the hunt
Rank
Team
Division
Record
9
Ravens
North
8-8
With the Baltimore Ravens’ win Saturday and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defeat Sunday, the two archrivals will play for the division title at Acrisure Stadium next week. The winner will advance to the playoffs as the 4-seed, while the loser will go home.
NFC
Seed
Team
Division
Record
1
Seahawks (x)
West
13-3
2
Bears (y)
North
11-4
3
Eagles (y)
East
10-5
4
Panthers
South
8-8
5
49ers (x)
West
11-4
6
Rams (x)
West
11-4
7
Packers (x)
North
9-6-1
x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
The Seattle Seahawks topped the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and are now one win away from the NFC’s 1-seed. They play the San Francisco 49ers in a huge regular-season finale. San Francisco could also be playing for the conference’s top spot next week but must beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football first.
In the hunt
Seed
Team
Division
Record
11
Buccaneers
South
7-9
The NFC South is still up for grabs after both the Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost Sunday. Carolina and Tampa Bay will face off next week with the division crown on the line.
Projected NFL draft order
Pick
Team
1
Raiders
2
Giants
3
Jets
4
Titans
5
Cardinals
6
Browns
7
Commanders
8
Saints
9
Chiefs
10
Bengals
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the driver’s seat to pick first overall after losing Sunday to the New York Giants.
