Throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, YSL News Sports will deliver regular updates on the fluctuating playoff scenarios. These updates will generally commence after Sunday’s late afternoon matches and continue throughout the week, including Monday and Thursday games, or even Saturday contests, such as those on Black Friday when we provide an early look at the playoff implications.

What just transpired? What are the implications? Which significant elements (and potential tiebreakers) are influencing each conference’s seven-team playoff bracket as it starts taking shape? All these factors will be analyzed until the postseason lineup is finalized on Sunday evening, January 5.

Here’s the current landscape as Week 13 of the 2024 season is in progress:

AFC Playoff Landscape

x – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), AFC West Champions: The Chiefs narrowly claimed victory against the Raiders with a score of 19-17 on Black Friday. This win has granted them the first secured playoff spot of the season, as they aim for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl title. Despite the close competition, their head-to-head advantage over the Bills means they must remain vigilant, but they have limited room to fall back now. Upcoming games: vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2), AFC East Champions: Coming off a break, the Bills are set to face a struggling San Francisco team at home, likely impacted by harsh weather conditions. They are looking for their sixth straight win, with a fifth consecutive division title nearly guaranteed (a Sunday night victory seals it). Pittsburgh’s loss in Week 12 has further strengthened the Bills’ position at the top of the conference. With a critical tiebreaker against the Chiefs secured, they could soon establish a Super Bowl pathway that goes through Western New York. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3), AFC North Champions: A victory over Cleveland last week would have propelled them to the No. 2 seed. Unfortunately, the Steelers incurred a serious loss — especially being to a division rival — which complicates their pursuit of home-field advantage. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (7-5), AFC South Champions: With four losses in their last six games, including a defeat to the lowly Tennessee Titans, the Texans may be on the verge of backing into a playoff spot in a weak division, which could lead to an early exit in the postseason. Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4), Wild Card No. 1: Despite their usual strong performance — which included a decisive win against the Chargers in “Harbaugh Bowl III” — losing to the wrong opponents could result in no home playoff games this year. Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), Wild Card No. 2: They seem to be struggling against tougher competition, revealing issues like their overrated defense and young players yet to step up, in addition to missing injured RB J.K. Dobbins for the foreseeable future. However, the Chargers still have work to do to avoid dropping out of playoff contention. Remaining schedule: at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (7-5), Wild Card No. 3: They are solidifying their claim on the AFC’s last playoff spot and should continue strengthening their position in the coming weeks unless they surpass the Chargers. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-7), in the hunt: Their chances of catching up with the Broncos for the final wild-card spot are diminishing following Sunday’s loss, though they will have an opportunity to compete against them soon in Denver. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (5-7), in the hunt: QB Tua Tagovailoa aimed to “prove people wrong” on Thursday night — specifically regarding the belief that the Dolphins can’t perform in cold weather. However, their three-game winning streak ended in Green Bay.

The playoff aspirations took a significant blow for the Dolphins after a Week 7 defeat at Indianapolis, which pushed them behind the Colts in standings. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), still in contention: The impact of back-to-back heartbreaking losses may be too difficult to overcome. Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

NFC playoff scenario

1. Detroit Lions (11-1), leaders of the NFC North: They narrowly defeated the Bears 23-20 on Thanksgiving, marking the franchise’s first 11-1 start. This victory keeps the Lions atop the conference and opens the door for a potential playoff spot this weekend, needing losses from the 49ers and Cardinals, along with either the Seahawks and Buccaneers or the Seahawks, Commanders, and Falcons all losing. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2), leaders of the NFC East: They have emerged as a formidable threat to the Lions and could seize the division unless they falter on their upcoming visit to Baltimore. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5), leaders of the NFC West: No team performed better in Week 12, leaping from ninth to first in their division after defeating the Cardinals. Key victories over Arizona and Atlanta have propelled Seattle into this position. Remaining schedule: at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5), leaders of the NFC South: They dropped a spot during their bye week. Having completed a season sweep of the Buccaneers, Atlanta enjoys a two-game lead in the division but is in a tight battle with the quickly rising Saints. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2), wild card No. 1: Although their victories have been unconventional, including an overtime win against Chicago, they are currently on a four-game winning streak. Despite appearances, they are only one loss behind the Lions in the NFC North. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, 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 Lambeau conditions, the Packers maintain a strong presence in the NFC North and further solidify their postseason prospects. Remaining schedule: at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (7-5), wild card No. 3: After being upset by the Cowboys in Week 12, they have now lost three consecutive games and must quickly regain their confidence to fend off rising challengers from the NFC West. Their hopes of securing the NFC East title are fading. Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5), still competing: Their four-game winning streak and division lead came to an end with a loss at Seattle. They face crucial games in the upcoming weeks. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6), still in competition: After halting a four-game losing streak by beating the Giants in Week 12, they now have a chance to finish strong, having climbed up from 11th place last Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6), still in competition: They struggled during their Sunday night match against Philadelphia. A victory in Week 3 against San Francisco keeps them ahead of the 49ers for now, but their weaker conference record places them below the Buccaneers. Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6), still in competition: The talent is evident, but it’s not being utilized enough on the field, as shown in their recent game against Green Bay. They head into a challenging Week 13 matchup in wintery Buffalo. Remaining schedule: at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7), still in contention: Credit to Mike McCarthy’s team for not giving up, despite the temptation to do so at this stage. Their recent victory, the first at home this season against the Giants on Thanksgiving, has pushed them ahead of the Saints.

At this moment, New Orleans has the advantage in their head-to-head matchup thanks to a decisive victory during Week 2 at “Jerry World.” What’s Dallas focused on in the near future? Their aim is to return to a .500 record and then take it from there. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders

13. New Orleans Saints (4-7), still in contention: They’ve won both games since Darren Rizzi took over as interim head coach. With the NFC South tightening up, it wouldn’t be wise to overlook them. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at Giants, vs. Commanders, at Packers, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers

14. Chicago Bears (4-8), still in contention: They started slowly last Thursday but fought hard in the second half against Detroit. However, they fell apart during their final drive, missing an opportunity to tie the game with a field goal. This likely ends their hopes of making the playoffs, along with an unsuccessful Thanksgiving performance. Also, coach Matt Eberflus has been let go. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, at Packers

NFL Playoff Clinching Scenarios for Week 13

Buffalo can clinch the AFC East with:

▶ A victory

Detroit can secure a playoff spot with:

1. A loss or tie for the 49ers + a loss or tie for the Cardinals + a loss for the Seahawks + a loss or tie for the Buccaneers
2. A loss or tie for the 49ers + a loss for the Cardinals + a tie for the Seahawks + a loss or tie for the Buccaneers
3. A loss or tie for the 49ers + a loss or tie for the Cardinals + a loss for the Seahawks + a loss or tie for the Commanders + a loss for the Falcons
4. A loss or tie for the 49ers + a loss or tie for the Cardinals + a loss for the Seahawks + a loss for the Commanders + a tie for the Falcons
5. A loss or tie for the 49ers + a loss for the Cardinals + a tie for the Seahawks + a loss or tie for the Commanders + a loss for the Falcons
6. A loss or tie for the 49ers + a loss for the Cardinals + a tie for the Seahawks + a loss for the Commanders + a tie for the Falcons