Throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, YSL News Sports provides weekly updates on the changing playoff landscape, starting after the late Sunday games and continuing through the week (including Monday and Thursday games, with Saturday games as needed).

What transpired? What implications does it hold? Key factors such as tiebreakers are emerging as each conference’s seven-team playoff bracket takes shape. This will be elaborated on until the playoff field is confirmed on the night of Sunday, January 5.

Here’s a summary of the current situation following Week 11 of the 2024 season:

AFC Playoff Scenario

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1), Leaders of the AFC West: Their first defeat this season could be critical, as the Bills are now only one game behind the reigning Super Bowl champions for the top spot. Remaining Matches: at Panthers, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2), Leaders of the AFC East: After defeating Kansas City, they’ve recorded six consecutive wins and are on track for a fifth straight division title. With this important head-to-head advantage, the Bills could soon control the path to Super Bowl 59 from Western New York. Remaining Matches: BYE, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2), Leaders of the AFC North: Their victory over the Ravens grants them some breathing room atop the division, and they are now contenders for home-field advantage. A win at Cleveland on Thursday would secure them the second seed. Remaining Matches: at Browns, at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (7-4), Leaders of the AFC South: They still have a few challenges to address, particularly regarding injuries. However, they should cruise towards a second consecutive division title. Remaining Matches: vs. Titans, at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3), Wild Card No. 1: Their defense has been formidable. The upcoming games appear more challenging, and they look to build a solid buffer against competitors also seeking playoff spots, having recently overtaken Baltimore. Remaining Matches: vs. Ravens, at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4), Wild Card No. 2: Despite their usual strength, losses to undesired opponents might jeopardize their chances of securing home playoff games this season. Remaining Matches: at Chargers, vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

7. Denver Broncos (6-5), Wild Card No. 3: They maintained their momentum against the Falcons and need to continue to push as they try to secure this playoff spot. Remaining Matches: at Raiders, vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-6), Closely Contending: They will face the Broncos, a critical match for their playoff hopes. Remaining Matches: vs. Lions, at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (4-6), Closely Contending: They are gaining momentum and recently surpassed Cincinnati with a victory. An easier schedule could provide them a chance to make headway. Remaining Matches: vs. Patriots, at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), Closely Contending: Recent tough losses could be too much to overcome for a playoff spot. Remaining Matches: BYE, vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

NFC Playoff Scenario

1. Detroit Lions (9-1), Leaders of the NFC North: Following a decisive 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Lions’ main concern might be peaking too early in the season. Remaining Matches: at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), Leaders of the NFC East: The Eagles extended their lead over Washington in a Thursday night game, solidifying their first-place standing in the division. However, they may need that cushion later in the season, as they are also a strong contender against Detroit. Remaining Matches: at Rams, at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Arizona Cardinals (6-4), Leaders of the NFC West: Although a bye week interrupted their four-game winning streak, Atlanta’s loss helped Arizona climb one spot in seeding. Their strong divisional record serves them well, but their 3-3 record in NFC games could hurt them in tiebreakers. Remaining Matches: at Seahawks, at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5), Leaders of the NFC South: A sweep of the Buccaneers establishes a three-game lead in their division, though they do not hold the same edge against the rising Saints. Remaining Matches: BYE, vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2), Wild Card No. 1: With three consecutive wins against AFC South opponents, they are currently holding onto the top wild card spot.

this position – still trailing Detroit in the NFC North. Upcoming matches: against Bears, versus Cardinals, versus Falcons, against Bears, away at Seahawks, at home against Packers, away at Lions

6. Green Bay Packers (7-3), wild card No. 2: They had a lucky escape in Chicago with a victory, keeping them in the NFC North race despite Detroit’s strong performance. Upcoming matches: against 49ers, against Dolphins, away at Lions, away at Seahawks, at home against Saints, away at Vikings, at home against Bears

7. Washington Commanders (7-4), wild card No. 3: The loss on Thursday night against Philly is a setback for Washington, impacting their playoff positioning for now. However, they have a potentially easier schedule than Philadelphia, which could help them battle for the NFC East lead. Upcoming matches: against Cowboys, against Titans, BYE week, away at Saints, at home against Eagles, at home against Falcons, away at Cowboys

8. Los Angeles Rams (5-5), in contention: Victories over the 49ers and Seahawks give them a slight edge among other teams with a .500 record in the conference. Upcoming matches: at home against Eagles, away at Saints, at home against Bills, away at 49ers, away at Jets, at home against Cardinals, at home against Seahawks

9. Seattle Seahawks (5-5), in contention: They have a record of 1-2 in the division, which is better than the 49ers, with whom they recently split their series. Upcoming matches: at home against Cardinals, away at Jets, away at Cardinals, at home against Packers, at home against Vikings, away at Bears, away at Rams

10. San Francisco 49ers (5-5), in contention: They’ve fallen to a 1-3 record in NFC West games, which complicates their chances of winning the tightly contested division. Upcoming matches: away at Packers, away at Bills, at home against Bears, at home against Rams, away at Dolphins, at home against Lions, away at Cardinals

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), in contention: They managed to make some progress during their bye week. If key players like WR Mike Evans return, they could finish the season strong. Upcoming matches: away at Giants, away at Panthers, at home against Raiders, away at Chargers, away at Cowboys, at home against Panthers, at home against Saints

12. Chicago Bears (4-6), in contention: A four-game losing streak indicates they may soon fall out of contention, especially with challenging games ahead. Upcoming matches: at home against Vikings, away at Lions, away at 49ers, away at Vikings, at home against Lions, at home against Seahawks, away at Packers

13. New Orleans Saints (4-7), in contention: They are 2-0 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. Given the tight race in the NFC South. Upcoming matches: BYE week, at home against Rams, away at Giants, at home against Commanders, away at Packers, at home against Raiders, away at Buccaneers

14. Carolina Panthers (3-7), in contention: They still have a small chance of making it to the playoffs, around 1%. Upcoming matches: at home against Chiefs, at home against Buccaneers, away at Eagles, at home against Cowboys, at home against Cardinals, away at Buccaneers, away at Falcons

15. Dallas Cowboys (3-7), in contention: They still have about a 1% chance to reach the playoffs after yet another disappointing loss on Monday, marking the first of three games in just 11 days. Upcoming matches: away at Commanders, at home against Giants, at home against Bengals, away at Panthers, at home against Buccaneers, away at Eagles, at home against Commanders

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