In the three weeks since Thanksgiving Weekend, the playoff picture in both the AFC and NFC has become much clearer. The Chiefs have fallen almost entirely out of the discussion for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage, as have the Jaguars. San Francisco has gained a stranglehold on the NFC’s No. 1 seed, while multiple teams at or just below .500 will find themselves jockeying for a playoff berth in the season’s final weeks.
There are only three full weekends of football left, and every game is critical when evaluating who will claim the remaining 10 spots up for grabs, who gains the all-important No. 1 seeds, and who will fall just short of a chance to make a run to Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58.
An updated look at the playoff picture following a crazy upset on Monday night 🔥#NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/nUDzQlnek7
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) December 19, 2023
AFC Playoff Picture: Seeds 1-7
- Ravens (11-3, clinched a playoff spot)
- Dolphins (10-4)
- Chiefs (9-5)
- Jaguars (8-6)
- Browns (9-5)
- Bengals (8-6)
- Colts (8-6)
In the Hunt
- Texans (8-6)
- Bills (8-6)
- Steelers (7-7)
- Broncos (7-7)
Analysis
The Ravens got the job done on Sunday night against Jacksonville, becoming the first AFC team to secure a playoff spot this season. A win and a Browns loss are all the Ravens will need next weekend to clinch the AFC North, but to do so, they need to take down the 49ers on Christmas night. Home-field advantage will have to wait another week, though, as the ultimate result of their Week 17 contest with the Dolphins will most likely decide who claims the conference’s No. 1 seed.
Miami is Baltimore’s closest pursuer, but they need to win the AFC East first. With Buffalo catching fire as of late, that race could get taken to the season’s final day when the teams meet in Miami. A win and a Buffalo loss next week, however, will secure Miami the division. Kansas City remains alive for home-field advantage but needs several scenarios to go their way to get back in the mix. However, a win and a Denver loss next week will ensure them another AFC West title.
The AFC South has suddenly become a three-way tie with the Texans, Colts, and Jaguars all sharing identical 8-6 records. The Texans and Colts will square off one more time this season in a Week 18 that could become a win-and-in for one of these teams and potentially even for the AFC South title, should Jacksonville continue to stumble.
Multiple 8-6 and 7-7 teams are presently competing for the two remaining Wild Card slots. Cleveland stands ahead of these teams after having secured their ninth win of this season, but they have to do battle with two of these teams in the final three weeks, first at Houston this weekend before hosting the Bengals in Week 18. Pittsburgh and Denver remain alive at 7-7 but need plenty of help to climb back into the chase.
TEE HIGGINS, YOU ARE UNREAL 🤩🤩🤩#NFL #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/mmxoZ0BQnB
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) December 16, 2023
NFC Playoff Picture: Seeds 1-7
- 49ers (11-3, secured the NFC West title)
- Cowboys (10-4, clinched a playoff spot)
- Lions (10-4)
- Buccaneers (7-7)
- Eagles (10-4, clinched a playoff spot)
- Vikings (7-7)
- Rams (7-7)
In the Hunt
- Seahawks (7-7)
- Saints (7-7)
- Packers (6-8)
- Falcons (6-8)
The 5-9 Bears and Giants remain mathematically alive but will likely be eliminated after this weekend.
Analysis
The 49ers entered Philadelphia three weeks ago needing a win to stay alive in the race for home-field advantage. They dominated the Eagles 42-19 and have maintained their now six-game winning streak as they took down the hapless Cardinals in Week 15 by a score of 45-29. This vaulted them to 11 victories and another NFC West title. A win against Baltimore on Christmas Night and all three of their closest pursuers losing will secure a No. 1 seed for the 49ers with a full two weeks remaining. Do not expect Kyle Shanahan’s unit to let off the gas in the final weeks should this scenario unfold.
The NFC North remains in Detroit’s control after they bounced back in a big way against the Broncos on Saturday night. They are one win away from securing the division and the franchise’s first home playoff game in 30 years if they can take down Minnesota once in their two opportunities to do so over these final weeks.
The NFC East saw both of its leaders lose this weekend, starting with Dallas in a 31-10 blowout loss to Buffalo. Then, Philadelphia suffered a late loss to the Seahawks on Monday night, their third consecutive defeat after having started 10-1. Now both at 10-4, the Eagles and Cowboys are likely taking this division to the end of the season. The Eagles have the advantage, however, with an easier rest-of-season schedule. They play two against the Giants and one against the Cardinals. For comparison, Dallas will have to play Miami and Detroit in the next two weeks before closing against Washington.
INSANITY! A last-minute surge pushes the #Seahawks over the #Eagles on MNF 🎉#NFL #NFLTwitter #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/MQTZjFnbF4
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) December 19, 2023
The NFC’s two remaining Wild Cards and the NFC South title remain about as muddled as they were three weeks ago. The Buccaneers and Saints are tied at 7-7, and both square off in Week 17 in New Orleans. This weekend will see the Saints travel to Los Angeles to face the 7-7 Rams, who are having something of a bounce-back year after their Super Bowl hangover. The Packers and Vikings will meet in Week 17. The possibility of multiple NFC teams with losing records making the playoffs remains a possibility, whether it is the NFC South champion or multiple Wild Cards.
Foster’s Playoff Predictions After 15 Weeks
AFC
- Ravens
- Dolphins
- Chiefs
- Colts
- Browns
- Jaguars
- Bills
NFC
- 49ers
- Eagles
- Lions
- Buccaneers
- Cowboys
- Vikings
- Seahawks
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