Even 16 weeks into the season, the NFL’s playoff picture is far from complete.
While four of eight division titles have been decided, only nine postseason tickets have been resolved, and both the AFC and NFC are still waiting to learn which teams will earn coveted top seeds and a first-round bye.
That leaves five playoff spots, four division crowns, and home field advantage over the next two weeks.
Will Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers save their season by winning the lowly NFC South? Can the Washington Commanders fight their way from insignificance to a wildcard? And will it be Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills or Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs who get to enjoy home cooking during the playoffs? Here are the remaining playoff permutations for Week 17:
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills gives an interview following an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, December 24, 2022 in Chicago. The Bills won 35-13
AFC PLAYOFF IMAGE:
- Buffalo Bills – AFC East Division title
- Kansas City Chiefs – AFC West Division title
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengal
- Chargers from Los Angeles
WHO CAN CLINCH IN WEEK 17?
BUFFALO BILLS (12-3): The Bills can secure home field advantage and the AFC’s only first-round reunion with just a win or loss for the Chiefs. Buffalo defeated Kansas City (also 12-3) in the regular season, giving them a tiebreaker for the top seed.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – in Cincinnati (11-4), Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
Week 18 – vs. New England (7-8)
The Bills can secure home field advantage and AFC’s first-round bye with:
CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-4): The Bengals only need a win or a loss or a tie in Baltimore to secure the AFC North the division title for the second straight season.
The good news for Cincinnati is that the team has won seven straight games, and if they can win in Week 17, quarterback Joe Burrow could enjoy some rest in the season finale.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – vs. Buffalo (12-3), Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN/ABC
Week 18 – v Baltimore (10-5)
Bengals can win the AFC North Division title with:
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) makes a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday
Miami Dolphins backup QB Teddy Bridgewater (5) and starter Tua Tagovailoa (1) chat on the sidelines of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers. Depending on Tagovailoa’s MRI for possible concussion, either he or Bridgewater will start on Sunday
MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-7): Mike McDaniel & Co. have come a long way this season but still need a win and a loss or a draw against the New York Jets (7-8) to earn a spot this week to secure in the playoffs.
The problem is, they’ll likely face New England on Sunday without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s back on concussion protocol.
Teddy Bridgewater is expected to center first-team representatives this week, but a starter for Sunday’s game has not yet been announced.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – in New England (7-8), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, CBS
Week 18 – vs. New York Jets (7-8)
Dolphins can earn a spot in the playoffs with:
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones & Co. still have everything to offer in the NFC
NFC PLAYOFF IMAGE:
- Minnesota Vikings – NFC North Division title
- San Francisco 49ers – NFC West Division title
- Dallas Cowboys
- Philly Eagles
WHO CAN CLINCH IN WEEK 17?
NEW YORK GIANTS (8-6-1): The Giants have a complicated road to a playoff berth in Week 17, but they can easily qualify by beating the struggling Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Without a win, the Giants need help from Seattle, Washington, Detroit and/or Green Bay.
Regardless, Brian Daboll’s crew is ready for their first postseason appearance since 2016 in week 17.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – vs. Indianapolis (4-10-1), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, CBS
Week 18 – in Philadelphia (13-2)
Giants secure playoff spot with:
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Gardner Minshew celebrates a touchdown pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-2): The team with the best record in the NFL still hasn’t fought its way into a division of its own thanks to a strong season from second-ranked Dallas Cowboys (11-4).
Luckily for Nick Sirianni’s team, they can do just that with a win or a tie or a loss or a tie for the Cowboys in Week 17.
Additionally, a win or a tie combined with a Minnesota Vikings loss or a tie can give the Eagles the NFC top seed.
The obvious problem, however, is quarterback Jalen Hurts’ ailing shoulder. Backup Gardner Minshew and the Eagles fell 40-34 to the Cowboys in Dallas in Week 16.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – vs. New Orleans (6-9), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, FOX
Week 18 – vs. New York Giants (8-6-1)
Philadelphia take the NFC East Division title with:
Philadelphia secure home field advantage and NFC’s only first-round bye with:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-8): Brady’s decision to come back will depend largely on the Bucs’ ability to make it into the postseason.
And for that, Tampa Bay needs a win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Otherwise, the Bucs must win their Finals against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – vs. Carolina (6-9), Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX
Week 18 – in Atlanta (5-10)
Tampa Bay takes the NFC South Division title with:
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-7-1): Notably, the Commanders still have a good chance of making it into the postseason, although they will need some help from the Seahawks, Lions and Packers.
If Washington wins while Seattle, Detroit and Green Bay all lose, the Commanders will make the postseason for the first time since 2020, when they qualified with a dismal 7-9 record.
Remaining games:
Week 17 – vs. Cleveland (6-9), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, FOX
Week 18 – vs. Dallas (11-4)
Washington secures playoff spot with:
Washington Commanders guard Wes Schweitzer (71) wanders the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday