Throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, YSL News Sports will keep you informed on the constantly changing playoff landscape, usually starting after the late Sunday games and continuing through the rest of the week, which includes Monday, Thursday, and potentially Saturday games. We’ll also be monitoring developments on Christmas since it falls on a Wednesday this year.

What just took place? What does it signify? What key elements and potential tiebreakers are at play as each conference’s seven-team bracket starts to take shape? All these questions will be explored until the postseason lineup is finalized on January 5.

Here’s the current playoff outlook as Week 17 of the 2024 season progresses:

NFC Playoff Overview

x – 1. Detroit Lions (13-2), NFC North Champs: They were tied for the conference lead last week, sharing the division lead with Minnesota. With Philadelphia’s loss in Week 16, there’s a good chance that the final regular-season battle between the Lions and Vikings will be critical. The Lions can secure everything they need, including home-field advantage, by winning their last two games, especially if they beat San Francisco and Minnesota stumbles. Upcoming Games: at 49ers, vs. Vikings

x – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), NFC East Champs: After a disappointing Sunday, they ended their 10-game winning streak, missed the chance to clinch their division, and dropped behind Detroit and Minnesota in the hunt for home-field advantage. Nevertheless, they remain just one victory or one loss for the Commanders away from securing their division and guaranteed a No. 2 seed. Upcoming Games: vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6), NFC West Champs: They just need to win against Seattle to secure their division. A win over Arizona and some external help would also clinch the title. Upcoming Games: vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7), NFC South Champs: Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made an impressive starting debut against the struggling Giants. The significant development came Sunday night when the Bucs lost to Dallas, allowing Atlanta, who had previously defeated them twice this season, a shot at winning the division this week. They need to win and hope Tampa Bay loses. Upcoming Games: at Commanders, vs. Panthers

x – 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2), Wild Card No. 1: Similar to the Lions, winning their remaining games means the Vikings would clinch the NFC North title and No. 1 seed. Upcoming Games: vs. Packers, at Lions

x – 6. Green Bay Packers (11-4), Wild Card No. 2: Having been swept by Detroit and lost to Minnesota earlier, the Packers are now in wild card position, but their recent victory over the Saints shows they can still be a tough playoff opponent. However, as they will start the playoffs on the road, the decision on whether to rest key starters in the upcoming weeks will be interesting. Upcoming Games: at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (10-5), Wild Card No. 3: Following their victory over the Eagles, they haven’t officially clinched a playoff spot but remain competitive in the NFC East, knocking both the Cowboys and 49ers out of postseason contention. Winning this week would secure their place, but a loss could complicate their playoff chances due to tiebreaker scenarios. Upcoming Games: vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), Outside Looking In: They struggled against a Dallas squad that was already eliminated from playoff contention. Their chances of keeping the NFC South title alive are waning. Upcoming Games: vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7), Outside Looking In: After falling to Minnesota on Sunday, they’ll now require assistance to win the NFC West, and neither they nor the Rams have a path to a wild card spot. Upcoming Games: at Bears, at Rams

AFC Playoff Overview

yz – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), AFC West Champs: With their recent win over the Steelers, the Chiefs earned home-field advantage and a first-round bye, effectively giving them a two-week break leading up to their playoff matchup. Upcoming Games: at Broncos, BYE

y – 2. Buffalo Bills (12-3), AFC East Champs: They’ve dropped out of the No. 1 seed race, but finishing second in the conference is still crucial, as the pathway to Super Bowl 59 could run through their home turf if the Chiefs falter. Upcoming Games: vs. Jets, at Patriots

x – 3. Baltimore

Ravens (11-5), Leaders of AFC North: On a roll? That’s an understatement. The Ravens moved to the top of the division after the Steelers lost before their Christmas game, and they solidified their position with a commanding victory over Houston. A win or tie in Week 18 will secure their spot. Upcoming schedule: vs. Browns

y – 4. Houston Texans (9-7), AFC South Champions: They dominate a weak division for the second year in a row, but their loss on Wednesday sealed them into the fourth seed, which could lead to a challenging wild-card matchup against an AFC North team, even though it will be at home. Upcoming schedule: at Titans

x – 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Wild Card No. 1: They’ve suffered three consecutive losses, and their disappointing outing against Kansas City on Wednesday cost them the top position in the AFC North. Still, they could claim the divisional title if they win in Week 18 and if Baltimore loses to Cleveland. Upcoming schedule: vs. Bengals

6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6), Wild Card No. 2: By beating the Broncos, they prevented Denver from securing a spot in Week 16 while also taking the season tiebreaker. A single win will guarantee their playoff appearance. Upcoming schedule: at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (9-6), Wild Card No. 3: They had the opportunity to secure a playoff berth last week, aiming for their first postseason visit since their Super Bowl 50 triumph nine years ago. However, another victory is essential for their playoff chances. A loss to Cincinnati in Week 17 could be detrimental, especially since their Week 18 contest against Kansas City is now inconsequential to the Chiefs. Upcoming schedule: at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8), Contenders: Still in the race after a Sunday win. Their AFC record (6-5) is superior to that of both Miami (5-5) and Cincinnati (4-6). Upcoming schedule: at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8), Contenders: Also still in the race after their Sunday win. Upcoming schedule: at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), Contenders: Also hanging by a thread after their Sunday victory. Although they look like the strongest team not inside the playoffs, they will need considerable assistance to advance, including losses by both the Colts and Dolphins. Upcoming schedule: vs. Broncos, at Steelers

NFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 17

Detroit secures the NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 seed (which includes a first-round bye and home-field advantage) with:

▶ A win + a Minnesota loss

Atlanta clinches the NFC South with:

▶ A win + a Tampa Bay loss

Philadelphia secures the NFC East with:

1. A win or tie
2. A Washington loss or tie

Los Angeles Rams clinch the NFC West with:

1. A win + a Seattle loss or tie
2. A win while securing the strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle
3. A tie + a Seattle loss

Denver locks in a playoff spot with:

▶ A win or tie

Los Angeles Chargers secure a playoff spot with:

1. A win or tie
2. A Miami loss or tie + an Indianapolis loss or tie

Washington secures a playoff berth with:

1. A win or tie
2. A Tampa Bay loss or tie

NFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 18 (Not Comprehensive)

Baltimore claims the AFC North with:

▶ A win or tie

Pittsburgh takes the AFC North with:

▶ A win + a Baltimore loss

NFL Teams Out of Playoff Contention for 2024

▶ New York Giants

▶ Las Vegas Raiders

▶ New England Patriots

▶ Jacksonville Jaguars

▶ Tennessee Titans

▶ Cleveland Browns

▶ New York Jets

▶ Chicago Bears

▶ Carolina Panthers

▶ New Orleans Saints

▶ Dallas Cowboys

▶ San Francisco 49ers

▶ Arizona Cardinals

x – clinched a playoff berth

y – clinched a division title

z – secured home-field advantage and a first-round bye

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