Throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, YSL News Sports will deliver up-to-date coverage of the league’s changing playoff scenario every week, starting after Sunday’s late games and continuing through the week, including Monday’s and Thursday’s matches, or Saturday’s if necessary.

What just happened? What implications does it hold? What key factors and potential tiebreakers are at play as the playoff brackets for both conferences start to take shape? All these questions will be addressed and analyzed as we approach the finalization of the postseason lineup on Sunday, January 5.

Here’s the current situation with Week 13 of the 2024 season nearly wrapped up:

AFC Playoff Landscape

x – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), AFC West Leaders: The Chiefs narrowly escaped the Raiders with a 19-17 victory on Black Friday, which secured them the first playoff berth of the season. They aim for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat. However, the Bills hold a tiebreaker advantage over them, so K.C. needs to maintain their performance. Next, the Chiefs will try to clinch their ninth consecutive division title against the Chargers on Sunday night. Upcoming Games: vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

y – 2. Buffalo Bills (10-2), AFC East Champions: The Bills celebrated their fifth consecutive division title and the first of the 2024 season with a brilliant performance in snowy conditions, showcasing QB Josh Allen, who has fortified his MVP candidacy amid a seven-game winning streak. With a significant tiebreaker advantage against the Chiefs, the Bills may look to guide the path to Super Bowl 59 through their home turf. Upcoming Games: at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3), AFC North Leaders: The Steelers may not have had an easy game in Cincinnati, but they are on track for a playoff return. The immediate challenge is regaining the race for the No. 1 seed and defending their divisional title from the Ravens, especially with some tough matchups ahead. Upcoming Games: vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (8-5), AFC South Leaders: Although they didn’t impress much in their latest game, the Texans managed a win, maintaining a considerable division lead over the Colts due to their sweep this season. Upcoming Games: BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), Wild Card No. 1: The Chargers’ victory against Atlanta doesn’t guarantee them a playoff spot yet, even with their advancement past Baltimore. They must continue to perform well as they face other strong teams in the next few weeks. Upcoming Games: at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5), Wild Card No. 2: The Ravens’ loss to the Eagles has significantly impacted their chances at clinching the AFC North title and hosting a playoff game in Baltimore. Upcoming Games: BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

7. Denver Broncos (7-5), Wild Card No. 3: The Broncos are solidifying their grip on the last playoff spot in the AFC and are expected to strengthen that hold in the coming weeks, unless they can leapfrog the Chargers. However, even with a win on Monday, they won’t surpass the Ravens due to a previous defeat this season. Upcoming Games: vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7), in Contention: The Colts have a week off following a tough win against New England. Their crucial Week 15 game against Denver could greatly affect their playoff chances, especially if Cleveland beats the Broncos on Monday. Upcoming Games: BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (5-7), in Contention: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was eager to “debunk the criticisms” after their recent performance, particularly regarding perceptions that the Dolphins struggle in colder weather or late-season games.

Unfortunately, Miami’s winning streak of three games came to an end at Lambeau Field, significantly damaging their chances for a playoff berth. Upcoming games: vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets

Current NFC playoff scenario

1. Detroit Lions (11-1), leaders of NFC North: The Lions narrowly defeated the Bears 23-20 during Thanksgiving, marking the first 11-1 record in their franchise’s history. This win maintains their lead in the conference, but they will need to wait until Week 14 to secure their postseason spot. Upcoming games: vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2), leaders of NFC East: The Eagles are a significant threat to the Lions and could pull ahead in the division. Their next challenge is to attempt to catch up with the Lions in Week 14. Upcoming games: vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Seattle Seahawks (7-5), leaders of NFC West: Their comeback victory against the Jets has placed them a game ahead in a competitive division likely to send only one team to the playoffs. Upcoming games: at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-6), leaders of NFC South: Following a home loss to the Chargers, the Falcons now have no margin for error. Their successful sweep over the Bucs is the only reason they remain in first place. Upcoming games: at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2), wild card No. 1: The Vikings continue to win in less-than-ideal ways, including a narrow victory over Arizona, making it a five-game winning streak. While they seem to be behind the Lions in the division race, they are just one game off the lead in the NFC North. Upcoming games: vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Green Bay Packers (9-3), wild card No. 2: After defeating the warm-weather Dolphins in freezing conditions on Thursday, the Packers remain in the mix in the NFC North and are on track for another playoff appearance. They face a crucial game against the Lions this Thursday. Upcoming games: at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (8-5), wild card No. 3: They ended a three-game losing streak with a stunning 23-point victory over Tennessee on Sunday, creating some distance from other wild card contenders. However, their upcoming bye week might affect their current momentum. Upcoming games: BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), in contention: The Bucs narrowly avoided disaster on Sunday, securing a win against the Panthers in overtime. They are now nearly tied with the Falcons at the top of the NFC South and have a better conference record than Arizona. Upcoming games: vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

9. Arizona Cardinals (6-6), in contention: The Cardinals missed a great opportunity on Sunday in Minnesota and will need to focus on their upcoming match against the NFC West-leading Seahawks. Upcoming games: vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6), in contention: They secured a win in New Orleans on Sunday but still trail the Cardinals, who defeated them earlier in the season. Upcoming games: vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-7), in contention: This unfortunate season continued with injuries in snowy Buffalo, where RB Christian McCaffrey hurt his knee, potentially dashing the Niners’ slim playoff hopes. Upcoming games: vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7), in contention: Credit to Mike McCarthy’s team for not giving up easily during this challenging season. Their recent victory over the Giants, their first home win this year, has kept them in the race, but they trail the 49ers after losing to them earlier. Their immediate goal is to reach a .500 record and see what unfolds. Upcoming games: vs. Bengals, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention for 2024

▶ New York Giants

▶ Las Vegas Raiders

▶ New England Patriots

x – clinched playoff spot

y – clinched division title

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