NFL Playoff Picture: Chiefs, Rams wrap up the West; Cowboys finished
Several teams clinched either their division or a playoff berth before Christmas Day in Week 16, clearing up the 2017 postseason picture.
AFC| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | xyz-Patriots | East | 12-3 |
| 2 | xy-Steelers | North | 11-3 |
| 3 | xy-Jaguars | South | 10-5 |
| 4 | xy-Chiefs | West | 9-6 |
| 5 | Ravens | North | 9-6 |
| 6 | Titans | South | 8-7 |
x- clinched playoff berth
y- clinched division
z- clinched first-round bye
The Patriots locked up a first-round bye for the eighth consecutive season thanks to a win over the Bills and a Jaguars loss. Jacksonville may have been short on motivation as the Titans' loss earlier in the day gifted them the AFC South.
The Steelers can clinch a first-round bye with a win over the Texans on Monday.
Kansas City survived a midseason skid to sneak into the playoffs and win the AFC West for a second straight year. This is the first time the Chiefs have repeated as division champs in franchise history.
In the hunt| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Chargers | West | 8-7 |
| 8 | Bills | East | 8-7 |
If the Ravens take down the Bengals in Week 17, they will secure a playoff spot. The AFC teams on the outside looking in will then need the Titans to fall in order to sniff the postseason.
NFC| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | xyz-Eagles | East | 12-2 |
| 2 | xy-Vikings | North | 12-3 |
| 3 | xy-Rams | West | 11-4 |
| 4 | x-Saints | South | 11-4 |
| 5 | x-Panthers | South | 11-4 |
| 6 | Falcons | South | 9-6 |
x- clinched playoff berth
y- clinched division
z- clinched first-round bye
The NFC South is still up for grabs, but the Saints control the race, needing a win over the Buccaneers to wrap up the division. However, a New Orleans loss with a Panthers win over the Falcons would give Carolina the division. If that scenario plays out and the Vikings also lose to the Bears next week, Carolina will earn a week off during the wildcard round.
The Rams meet the red-hot 49ers in Week 17 as the Saints chase the division crown, but neither team can surpass the Vikings for a first-round bye.
In the hunt| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Seahawks | West | 9-6 |
Atlanta holds the tiebreaker over the Seahawks, so a Seattle loss to the Cardinals in the final week would clinch a second straight playoff berth for the Falcons. To avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Seahawks need a win and for the Panthers to beat the Falcons.
The Seahawks' win over the Cowboys on Sunday eliminated Dallas from postseason contention.
Copyright (C) 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.