A tightening NFL playoff race saw a handful of teams pop the proverbial champagne to celebrate postseason berths in Week 16, while at least a couple others were dealt crushing setbacks.
The Bills took over first place in the AFC East with a win over the Patriots in a crucial division showdown. In the process, previously slumping Buffalo climbed three spots and sent New England down four spots in the projected AFC playoff standings, yet both teams remain virtual locks to make the postseason.
AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-4
Remaining games: at Bengals, at Broncos
2. Tennessee Titans: 10-5
Remaining games: vs. Dolphins, at Texans
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-6
Remaining games: vs. Chiefs, at Browns
4. Buffalo Bills: 9-6
Remaining games: vs. Falcons, at Jets
5. Indianapolis Colts: 9-6
Remaining games: vs. Raiders, at Jaguars
6. New England Patriots: 9-6
Remaining games: vs. Jaguars, at Dolphins
7. Baltimore Ravens: 8-7
Remaining games: vs. Rams, vs. Steelers
The Bills hold a narrow lead over the Patriots in AFC East, based on division record. Similarly, the Bengals hold the third seed in the AFC, ahead of the Bills, owing to a better record in conference games. As of now, the Colts would be a higher-ranked wild card team than the Patriots because Indianapolis won their head-to-head matchup in Week 14.
In the AFC hunt
- Los Angeles Chargers: 8-7
Remaining games: vs. Broncos, at Raiders
- Las Vegas Raiders: 8-7
Remaining games: at Colts, vs. Chargers
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-7-1
Remaining games: vs. Browns, at Ravens
- Miami Dolphins: 7-7
Remaining games: at Titans, vs. Patriots
- Cleveland Browns: 7-8
Remaining games: at Steelers, vs. Bengals
The Ravens' grasp on the seventh seed appears tenuous, as the Dolphins can take sole possession with a win over the Saints on Monday night. The Steelers and Browns could both theoretically still win the AFC North, but they would have to win out and have the Bengals lose both of their games. The Chargers are at less than 50-50 odds of reaching the playoffs, according to ESPN, after Sunday's devastating loss to the Texans.
Meanwhile the NFC now has five of its seven playoff teams, with the Cowboys and Bucs joining the Packers as division champions, while the Rams and Cardinals clinched postseason berths. Obviously seeding is not yet set, so there's still plenty to play for with two weeks remaining in the regular season, but the Packers have the inside track on the No. 1 spot.
NFC
1. Green Bay Packers: 12-3
Remaining games: vs. Vikings, at Lions
2. Dallas Cowboys: 11-4
Remaining games: vs. Cardinals, at Eagles
3. Los Angeles Rams: 11-4
Remaining games: at Ravens, vs. 49ers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11-4
Remaining games: at Jets, vs. Panthers
5. Arizona Cardinals: 10-5
Remaining games: at Cowboys, vs. Seahawks
6. San Francisco 49ers: 8-7
Remaining games: vs. Texans, at Rams
7. Philadelphia Eagles: 8-7
Remaining games: at WFT, vs. Cowboys
The 49ers and Eagles would have the last two spots in the NFC if the playoffs were to start on Monday. San Francisco has about a 70% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN, while Philly was closer to about 50-50. That leaves the Saints and Vikings on the outside looking in, with New Orleans set to take on the Dolphins on Monday night.
In the NFC hunt
- New Orleans Saints: 7-7
Remaining games: vs. Panthers, at Falcons
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-8
Remaining games: at Packers, vs. Bears
Even with a win over the Dolphins, the Saints wouldn't climb into the top 7 because of their head-to-head loss against the Eagles, while the 49ers own a better winning percentage in conference play. Meanwhile, the Vikings would need to win both of their last two games -- at Green Bay and at home vs. the Bears -- and get a lot of help to sneak in.
This season marks the NFL's first-ever 17-game schedule and the second year in which 14 teams reach the playoffs, an increase of two clubs, one per conference. Under the new format, only the top seed from each conference is awarded a bye during the newly anointed "Super Wild Card Weekend," whereas the top two seeds from each conference used to get a week off.
Postseason action is scheduled to begin on Jan. 15.
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