NFL Playoff Picture: Browns, Colts stumble with huge losses

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LV.

AFC

Seed	Team	Division	Record
1	Chiefs (z)	West	14-1
2	Steelers (y)	North	12-3
3	Bills (y)	East	11-3
4	Titans	South	10-5
5	Dolphins	East	10-5
6	Ravens	North	10-5
7	Browns	North	10-5

x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
z = clinched first-round bye

The AFC's playoff picture is setting up for a wild finish as multiple teams tussle for the remaining spots.

The Kansas City Chiefs locked up a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. The road to the Super Bowl will run through Kansas City for any aspiring AFC team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers showed signs of life, rallying from a 17-point deficit against the Indianapolis Colts to end a three-game skid. With the victory, the Steelers clinched the AFC North and will aim to continue righting the ship with January football looming.

The Buffalo Bills watched Sunday's action from the sideline but the team can climb right back into the No. 2 seed with a win Monday against the New England Patriots. The Bills are riding a massive hot streak to the regular season's finish line, winning seven of their last eight games.

Tiebreakers have come in handy for the Tennessee Titans. Thanks to a head-to-head advantage over the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans are currently topping the division. Tennessee can redeem its ticket for the postseason with a win over the Houston Texans to close the season.

The Miami Dolphins have a simple clinching scenario for Week 17 - win and they're in. However, they'll need to do so on a difficult road trip to Buffalo. The Dolphins can also secure a spot in the postseason if the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, or Indianapolis Colts lose next week.

Once on the outside looking in, the Baltimore Ravens look ready to soar into the postseason after winning their fourth straight game Sunday. Baltimore now controls its own destiny, and a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 would book a road playoff game.

The Cleveland Browns' playoff chances took a major hit with Sunday's loss to the New York Jets. The Browns now own just a 54% chance of ending the NFL's longest playoff drought, according to FiveThirtyEight. Despite the stumble, Cleveland just needs to take care of business and defeat the Steelers in Week 17 to make it in.

In the hunt

Team	Division	Record
Colts	South	10-5

The Colts don't currently have an invite to the postseason, and unless another team gives up its spot, the Colts will be watching from their couches. Indianapolis not only needs to win in Week 17 but will also hope the Titans, Browns, Ravens, or Dolphins lose.

NFC

Seed	Team	Division	Record
1	Packers (y)	North	12-3
2	Saints (y)	South	11-4
3	Seahawks (y)	West	11-4
4	Washington	East	6-9
5	Buccaneers (x)	South	10-5
6	Rams	West	9-6
7	Bears	North	8-7

x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
z = clinched first-round bye

The NFC's playoff seeding could be in for some major shuffling with just one week to go.

The Green Bay Packers looked dominant in their Sunday Night Football drubbing of the Titans. Despite the win, Green Bay was unable to clinch the conference's top spot, giving it a reason to play next week against the Chicago Bears.

The New Orleans Saints are NFC South champs, but the No. 1 seed shouldn't be ruled out just yet. The Saints need a miracle, but 2020 has gifted the league more than a few out-of-the-ordinary occurrences. New Orleans will own a first-round bye should it end up in a three-way tie with the Packers and Seahawks.

So you're telling me there's a chance? The Seattle Seahawks have a 7% shot of coming out of Week 17 with a first-round bye, according to FiveThirtyEight. If the Seahawks can beat the 49ers in their season finale and the Packers and Saints lose, Seattle would pull off one of the most unlikely heists ever.

The Washington Football Team is desperately clinging on to the No. 4 seed. With an ailing Alex Smith and an ineffective Dwayne Haskins, the team is hoping Smith can return and close out the regular season with a win against the Philadelphia Eagles. That would lock up the NFC East.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can take a breather. The Bucs are one of the few teams that don't need to stress much about their positioning. Tampa Bay is out of the NFC South race but will return to the postseason for the first time since 2007. One last victory will ensure that Tom Brady and Co. hold down the No. 5 seed.

The Los Angeles Rams are trending in the wrong direction as the regular season nears its conclusion. The Rams could possibly face a dire situation: Win and make it in or lose and potentially miss the postseason. A win against the Arizona Cardinals is all they need, but a loss combined with a Bears victory knocks L.A. out.

After a roller coaster of a season, the Bears are just inches away from returning to the postseason. Winners of the last three, Chicago has a couple roads available to get in: Beat the Packers in Week 17 or hope the Rams beat the Cardinals.

In the hunt

Team	Division	Record
Cardinals	West	8-7
Cowboys	East	6-9
Giants	East	5-10

The Cardinals might not seem to be in the driver's seat, but they still control where their next destination will be. The Cardinals have a straightforward route to the postseason, as a win against the Rams in Week 17 books a spot in the playoffs.

The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys are set to battle in what could be a winner-takes-all game for the NFC East in Week 17, but both clubs will need some help. Should Washington lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, the winner of the Giants-Cowboys bout will walk away with the NFC East crown and a home playoff game.

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