Don’t look now, but the Dallas Cowboys’ path to the playoffs is still open on the way into the final week of the regular season.
An eventful NFL Sunday changed the league’s playoff picture, with the Cowboys’ 37-17 victory over the Eagles eliminating Philadelphia and setting up a Week 17 that saw Washington (6-9), Dallas (6-9) and the New York Giants (5-10) all have a shot at winning the NFC East.
Here’s a look at the current playoff picture for both conferences, with a breakdown of how the field could change based on the Week 17 results.
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AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs – 14-1 (earned a first round bye and home field advantage)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers – 12-3 (clinched division)
Buffalo Bills – 11-3 (clinched division)
Tennessee Titans – 10-5
Miami Dolphins – 10-5
Baltimore Ravens – 10-5
Cleveland Browns – 10-5
Here’s what we know: The Chiefs will be the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Steelers and Bills have reached their respective divisions. The only division that hasn’t decided yet is the South, with the Titans currently in the driver’s seat. If Tennessee beats the Texans in Week 17, the Titans will win the division. A loss opens the door for the Foals (10-5), which should beat the Jaguars at home next week.
Indianapolis is also looking for the wildcard photo on the outside. The Dolphins (in Buffalo), Ravens (in Cincinnati) and Browns (vs. Pittsburgh) take a playoff berth with a win next week or a loss to Colts. The Colts must defeat the Jaguars and lose one of those three teams to make it to the field.
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NFC
1. Green Bay Packers – 11-3 (clinched division)
2. New Orleans Saints – 11-4 (clinched division)
Seattle Seahawks – 11-4 (clinched division)
4. Washington Football Team – 6-9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10-5 (clinched playoff berth)
Los Angeles Rams – 9-6
Chicago Bears – 8-7
By beating the Rams on Sunday, the Seahawks won the NFC West for the first time since 2016. To the east, Washington can seal the division by beating the Eagles in Philadelphia next week. If the Eagles win, the Eastern champion is either the Cowboys (6-9) or Giants (5-10), who will face it next week at the MetLife Stadium.
For the wild card, there are three teams competing for two remaining places, with Tampa Bay already making sure they were in the field. The Rams can claim a spot with a win at home against the Cardinals (8-7). Likewise, the Bears would secure a playoff bid by beating the Packers at home in week 17. If the Bears lose and the Cardinals win, Arizona and Los Angeles come in. If the Rams win, the Bears get the final playoffs. place regardless of their result against Green Bay. The Rams would only miss if they lose to Arizona and the Bears win.