We are right in the middle of Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season. Half of the league’s fans are looking forward to the playoffs. Meanwhile, the other half is immersed in mock drafts and the Tankathon to see the order project after the conclusion of each game.
In the field of 14 teamsEight teams have secured a playoff berth, meaning there is still a lot to sort out before the playoff picture becomes clear.r.
THE Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) defeated the Denver Broncos (9-6) to kick off the week with “Thursday Night Football,” shaking things up in the AFC wild card hunt. The defending champions beat the Houston Texans (9-6) on Saturday and moved closer to the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Kansas City (14-1) can clinch the No. 1 seed if the Buffalo Bills (11-3) lost today against New England Patriots (3-11).
THE Steelers (10-5) lost to Crows (10-5) on Saturday, but they still hold the tiebreaker for the AFC North title. There are a plethora of moving parts to sort out before the end of the 2024 NFL season, but what are they?What does the NFL playoff picture look like?
Below is a preview of the potential NFL playoff bracket ahead of the conclusion of NFL Week 16.
Who is in the NFL playoffs so far?
So far, a total of eight teams have clinched a playoff spot. They are listed below by conference.
AFC
NFC
2024 NFL Division Winners
Only three NFL divisions have been won before Week 16 on Sunday. Below is a look at the division winners so far:
AFC
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AFC East: Buffalo Bills (11-3)
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AFC North: To be determined
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AFC South: Houston Texans (9-6)
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AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
NFC
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NFC East: To be determined
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NFC North: To be determined
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NFC South: To be determined
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NFC West: To be determined
NFL Playoff Bracket Update
AFC support
1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1, AFC West winners): BYE
The coveted No. 1 seed is in the Chiefs’ sights, as they will gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if they can hold off Buffalo. The AFC Championship Game was played at Arrowhead Stadium for a record five consecutive seasons before the Ravens ended that streak in 2023.
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3, AFC East winners) vs. 7. Denver Broncos (9-6, No. 3 wild card)
The Bills are the only team to beat the Chiefs thus far. Josh Allen is on the verge of winning its first NFL MVP award, and Buffalo appears to be the Chiefs’ most serious challenger in the AFC. If the season ended today, Buffalo would host Denver in an intriguing first-round matchup.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, AFC North leaders) vs. 6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 2)
This is where things get less tricky. The Steelers could falter over the final two weeks and Baltimore could claim the AFC North and find themselves in that spot. However, if the season ends today, that’s where things stand. Russell Wilson would lead Pittsburgh at home against Justin Herbert and chargers.
Both teams are far from locked in this matchup, as the AFC playoff picture will become clearer with the results of Sunday’s games.
4. Houston Texans (9-6, AFC South winners) vs. 5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5, No. 1 wild card)
The Texans won the AFC South in Week 15 by beating the Miami Dolphins. They can prepare for a first-round matchup with one of the AFC’s top two wild-card teams. It would be a playoff rematch. Baltimore crushed Houston 34-10 in the 2023 divisional game.
We’re also waiting for a potential playoff preview, as these two are set to face off this Christmas. In this case, the Texans would have a tough matchup with Lamar JacksonThese are the Ravens. Jackson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season and an MVP candidate. Baltimore can still take the lead in the AFC North in the final two weeks of the season, so this matchup isn’t a given either.
NFC support
1. Detroit Lions (12-2, NFC North leaders): BYE
The Lions were defeated by the Bills in Week 15, snapping a 10-game winning streak and loosening Detroit’s grip on the No. 1 seed.
The Lions still have the inside track to the No. 1 seed, which would guarantee them home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the playoffs, but the Eagles have matched them with the best record in the NFL . The Vikings are also breathing down their necks in the NFC North, which could set up a potential Week 18 matchup for a battle for the division.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, leaders of the NFC East) against 7. Washington Commanders (9-5, wild card n°3)
The Eagles and Commanders meet for the second time this season in Week 16. They are also set to face each other in the first round of the playoffs, provided the Eagles don’t move up to No. 1 in the standings general.
Saquon Barkley and the Eagles are poised for a deep run. If Philadelphia wins in Week 16, the Commanders could be fighting for their playoff lives in Weeks 17 and 18.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6, leader of the AFC South) against 6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card n°2)
The Packers have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season. They are 10-4 and their losses have all come against teams with more than 11 wins – two against the Lions, one against the Eagles and one against the Vikings. In the meantime, Mayfield Baker was excellent for the Buccaneers and this game would be played at Raymond James Stadium.
4. Los Angeles Rams (8-6, leaders of the NFC West) against 5. Minnesota Vikings (12-2, wild card n°1)
The NFC West likely won’t be decided until Week 18. The Rams are in control heading into Week 16 and the Vikings, with 12 wins, have all but assured themselves of being the top wild card team. This storyline will set up a clash between Kevin O’Connell and mentor Sean McVay.
NFL playoff photo
AFC
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Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, AFC West winners)
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Buffalo Bills (11-3, AFC East winners)
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Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, AFC North leaders)
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Houston Texans (9-6, AFC South winners)
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Baltimore Ravens (10-5, No. 1 wild card)
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Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 3)
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Denver Broncos (9-6, wild card No. 2)
In the hunt: IIndianapolis Colts (6-8), Miami Dolphins (6-8), Cincinnati Bengals (6-8).
NFC
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Detroit Lions (12-2, NFC North leaders)
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Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, NFC East leaders)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6, NFC South leaders)
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Los Angeles Rams (8-6, NFC West leaders)
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Minnesota Vikings (12-2, wild card No. 1)
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Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
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Washington Commanders (9-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-6), Atlanta Falcons (7-7), Arizona Cardinals (7-7), San Francisco 49ers (6-8), Dallas Cowboys (6-8), New Orleans Saints (5-9)
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Who is in the NFL playoffs so far? Division winners, support update
