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Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Dec 10, 2024 2:26 pm

Playoff Picture: Texans, Steelers can clinch spots Sunday

Mike Tomlin

Two more AFC teams can clinch playoff spots on Sunday, but there’s more math than meets the eye in the NFC.

The pecking order in the AFC is not fully established but the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) opened up a two-game advantage on AFC East champion Buffalo (10-3) with the Bills’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

The Houston Texans (8-5) can clinch a second consecutive AFC South division title with a win over the Miami Dolphins (6-7) and a loss by the Indianapolis Colts (6-7).

The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) remain in the hunt for home-field advantage in the AFC, and the Steelers end the season against Chiefs in a loaded remaining schedule that includes a date with the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) on Sunday. The Steelers clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie.

NFC home-field advantage is undecided as well, but the Detroit Lions (12-1) remain out in front with a headliner with the Bills this week. The Lions and Eagles have clinched playoff spots, with two other North division challengers on the doorstep.

Sunday’s primetime slate pits the Green Bay Packers (9-4) at the Seattle Seahawks (8-5). Green Bay is in the playoff field with a win combined with an Atlanta Falcons loss or tie, or a tie in the San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams game on Thursday. Seattle leads the NFC West, where all four teams are still alive for the division title.

It’s possible the Minnesota Vikings (11-2) will celebrate getting a spot in the postseason before hosting the Chicago Bears (4-9) on Monday if the Rams or Seattle Seahawks lose or tie in their games. The Vikings also can punch their ticket with win No. 12, and Minnesota remains alive in the battle for home-field in the NFC. The Vikings and Lions play in the regular-season finale Week 18.

Philadelphia clinches the NFC East division title with a win or tie coupled with a loss or tie by the Washington Commanders.

NFC Playoff Picture
Division Leaders
1. Detroit Lions (12-1)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

Wild-Card Race
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)
7. Washington Commanders (8-5)

Contending for Wild Card
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-6)
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
10. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-7)
12. New Orleans Saints (5-8)
13. Dallas Cowboys (5-8)
14. Chicago Bears (4-9)
15. Carolina Panthers (3-10)

Out of the playoff picture (mathematically eliminated)
16. New York Giants (2-11)

AFC Playoff Picture
Division Leaders
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (10-3)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)
4. Houston Texans (8-5)

Wild-Card Race
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)
7. Denver Broncos (8-5)

Contending for Wild Card
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7): Catching the Texans in the AFC South will be a long shot.
9. Miami Dolphins (6-7): Trying to keep their faint hopes alive with a win over the New York Jets.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8): May not get to the playoffs even if they run the table.

Out of the playoff picture (mathematically eliminated)
11. Cleveland Browns (3-10)
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10)
13. New York Jets (3-10)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-10)
15. New England Patriots (3-10)
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

–Field Level Media

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