NFL playoff picture: Who's in and who's out entering Week 16

With just three weeks remaining before the NFL Playoffs are set to begin, let’s look at how the postseason picture looks right now.

NFC Playoff Picture

Clinched

Los Angeles Rams (11-3): The Rams lead the NFC West, and with their win over the Lions in Week 15, they became the first NFC team to clinch their playoff spot. Their win over the Seahawks earlier this season has them in a prime position for a first-round bye and home-field advantage, but the rubber match with Seattle is scheduled for this Thursday and will have major playoff implications.

Other Divisional Leaders

Chicago Bears (10-4): The Bears had fallen into the danger zone after a Week 14 loss, but a win on Sunday, combined with a Packers loss, put the Bears back in the NFC North lead. It’s not too late for things to go awry, however, with the Packers and Lions both on the schedule once more this season, as well as a clash with wild-card contender San Francisco.

Philadelphia Eagles (9-5): The defending Super Bowl champions haven’t played their best ball this year, but they feel pretty secure in their hopes after a Dallas loss on Sunday night put them firmly in the NFC East lead. The Eagles can clinch their division and their spot this week with a win over the Commanders this weekend.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): The Bucs still hold the NFC South lead, but it’s by thin margins. They’re 1-5 over their last six games, and they’ll need to win the division if they want to be in the postseason. They still play the Panthers, the other divisional contender, twice. Win both, and they’re in.

Contenders

Seattle Seahawks (11-3): Seattle’s the first wild card team in right now, but they have two divisional losses that hurt their wild card chances. But a win this week against the Rams could put them atop the division.

San Francisco 49ers (10-4): So close to the divisional title, but also very close – half a game, to be exact – from being the seventh and final seed if the playoffs began today.

Green Bay Packers (9-4-1): The NFC West is hurting everyone else’s chances here, including the Packers. They’d be in it if they win today, but this is very much a “win the divisional title if you want to secure your bid” type of scenario.

Detroit Lions: (8-6): Detroit is the first team out by 1 1/2 games right now, but can still secure a wild-card bid or even NFC North title if things go right.

Carolina Panthers (7-7): This comes down to those two clashes with Tampa Bay. They’re out without the divisional title and Sunday’s loss to the Saints didn’t help.

Dallas Cowboys: (6-7-1): Dallas must win out, and the Eagles must lose out to make this happen.

AFC Playoff Picture

Clinched

Denver Broncos (12-2): Denver leads the AFC West and is the first team in the NFL to earn 12 wins this season and in the AFC to clinch their playoff berth. They are also in a great spot to earn the top seed after the Patriots’ loss this past week, and home-field advantage means more in Denver.

Other Divisional Leaders

New England Patriots (11-3): Their 10-game winning streak has come to a close, but their playoff hopes are bright. The Patriots still control their own destiny, leading the AFC East and with no teams currently above .500 left on their schedule.

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4): The Jags lead the AFC South, but the Texans are hot on their tails. A win this weekend will keep them ahead, while a loss will make the divisional race much more interesting.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6): The AFC North is a mess this year, but the Steelers are the least messy of the bunch. With Monday night’s win, the Steelers just need to beat the Ravens in Week 18 to secure their spot.

Contenders

Los Angeles Chargers (10-4): The Chargers are in the top wild-card spot if things started today, but things can still go wrong if the season falls apart.

Buffalo Bills (10-4): The Bills are still fighting for their sixth straight AFC East title after a win over the Patriots last week.

Houston Texans (9-5): The Texans have won six consecutive games and are 7-1 in their last eight outings. They can still capture the AFC South crown, but their playoff hopes could also still crumble.

Indianapolis Colts (8-6): The Colts have lost five out of their last six games after a 7-1 start to the season, and would be out of the playoffs if they began right now. With 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement to lead the injury-laden team, they have some work to do.

Baltimore Ravens (7-7): Baltimore must beat the Steelers to make the postseason, and will need to win at least one of their two other games unless the Steelers lose out.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: NFL playoff picture: Who’s in and who’s out entering Week 16

NFL playoff picture: Who’s in and who’s out entering Week 16

Tags: