The Chargers secure the spot by beating the Patriots

Each week during the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates on the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture – typically starting after late games on Sunday afternoon and continuing through the remainder of the week (through Monday and Thursday). games or Saturdays, if applicable.)

What just happened? What does it mean? What relevant factors (and perhaps the deciding factors) will play a prominent role as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to emerge? Everything will be explained and analyzed until the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, January 5th.

Here’s where things stand in Week 17 of the 2024 season:

NFC playoff picture

x – 1. Detroit Lions (13-2), NFC North leaders: Last week, they were in a three-way tie at the top of the conference and tied with Minnesota for the league lead. But Philadelphia’s loss in Week 16 makes it increasingly likely that the Lions and Vikings will be playing for every major regular-season spot in Week 18. The win gives the Lions everything they want, including home field advantage. That also applies to a win in San Francisco on Monday night combined with a Minnesota loss to Green Bay. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Vikings

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x – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), NFC East leaders: You’ve had a tough Sunday. They snapped their 10-game winning streak, a chance to finish the division, and fell one game behind Detroit and Minnesota in the race for home-field advantage. Additionally, QB Jalen Hurts, who is suffering from a concussion, will not play on Sunday. But the Eagles are still just one Commanders win or loss away from securing the division and at least being the No. 2 seed. Remaining schedule: against Cowboys, against Giants

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6), NFC West leaders: Neither they nor the Seahawks have a path to a wild-card berth. If both the Rams and Seattle finish 10-7, the currently undetermined win tiebreaker will come into play, likely in LA’s favor – namely could In fact, allow the Rams to win the division on Sunday if they take care of business first against Arizona on Saturday. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7), NFC South leaders: Rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. won his starting debut against the struggling Giants. But the real win came last Sunday night when the Bucs – they were defeated by Atlanta earlier in the season – lost in Dallas. The Falcons can win the division in Week 17 with another win And another loss in Tampa Bay. Remaining schedule: at Commanders vs. Panthers

x – 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2), Wild Card No. 1: Like Detroit, they control their own potentially fruitful destiny – win, and the NFC North and No. 1 seed belong to Minnesota. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at Lions

x – 6. Green Bay Packers (11-4), Wild Card No. 2: The win against Detroit and the already one-off loss to Minnesota resulted in the Pack being demoted to wild-card status … although the Saints’ whitewash on Monday was the final reminder that this is, in fact, the final NFC North team could be something you want to see in January. But given that the Packers are guaranteed to open the playoffs on the road, it will be interesting to see how often they face their key starters over the next two weeks, considering that this presents limited opportunities. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (10-5), No. 3 seed: Despite beating the Eagles, they didn’t quite secure a postseason spot in Week 16 – but remained alive in the NFC East while eliminating both the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers from the playoffs. A win in Week 17 puts Washington in the dance. A loss could be extremely problematic in the tiebreaker area as it would open up an alternate path for the Bucs, who beat Washington in Week 1. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7), in the hunt: After their heartbreaking loss to Minnesota last Sunday, they will need help to win the NFC West. Thursday night’s win in Chicago got the Seahawks back on track… to a degree. Seattle’s best-case scenario involves a loss to the Rams on Saturday and a win against them in Week 18. If both teams finish at 10-7, the indefinite tiebreaker on strength of victory will prove crucial, likely in LA’s favor. The Seahawks can be eliminated this weekend by a Rams win and a loss in the wins tiebreaker, which will still be in flux on Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Rams

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), in the hunt: The Bucs could see their ambitions of retaining the NFC South throne dashed this weekend. However, if Atlanta beats Washington, Tampa Bay will have a better shot at the NFC’s final wild-card slot. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

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AFC playoff image

yz – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), AFC West champions: By beating Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, they secured home-field advantage and a first-round bye – and, in effect, more than two weeks off, depending on who they choose to face in the now-meaningful Week 18 Contest of Champions. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, BYE

J – 2. Buffalo Bills (12-3), AFC East champions: With the Chiefs now out of the running for the No. 1 seed, second place in the conference should still have some significance, as the road to Super Bowl 59 could come via Western New York if the Chiefs lose their playoff opener. A win would also ensure that Buffalo would not have to go on the road for a playoff game unless the AFC Championship is in Kansas City. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Patriots

x – 3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5), AFC North leaders: Catch fire? Probably an understatement. The Steelers’ Christmas kickoff loss in Baltimore moved the Ravens to the top of the division, and their dominant win over Houston keeps them there. A win or draw in Week 18 will decide. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns

J – 4. Houston Texans (9-7), AFC South champions: They’re reigning over a weak division for the second straight year, but Wednesday’s loss locked them into fourth place… which will likely mean a tough wild-card matchup against an AFC North team, albeit in Houston. Remaining schedule: at Titans

x – 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Wild Card No. 1: That’s three straight losses, and Wednesday’s poor performance against Kansas City cost them first place in the AFC North. However, they can clinch the division title by winning in Week 18 If Baltimore also loses to Cleveland. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals

x – 6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6), Wild Card No. 2: The Patriots’ loss on Saturday tied Bolts to the field and ensured Jim Harbaugh was a playoff contender in four of his five NFL seasons as a head coach. But after losing to the Ravens and Steelers earlier this season, the Chargers will most likely be the sixth seed – and likely travel to Baltimore or Pittsburgh for a rematch. Remaining schedule: at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (9-6), wild card No. 3: They had a win-and-in scenario last week to clinch their first postseason trip since winning Super Bowl 50 nine years ago. Still, another win would put Denver in the playoffs. They may be in for big trouble if they lose to Cincinnati on Saturday … although the Broncos’ Week 18 game against Kansas City means basically nothing to the Chiefs. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8), in the hunt: Technically alive after the Week 16 win and with a soft schedule heading out. Their record in AFC play (6-5) is better than Miami (5-5) and Cincinnati (4-6). Indianapolis wins if there is a three-way or four-way tie between teams with a record of 9-8. A two-way tie with Denver would mean the Broncos advance based on their Week 15 win over the Colts. Remaining schedule: at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8), in the hunt: Technically alive after the Week 16 win and with a soft schedule heading out. They advance if they are tied with any combination of 9-8 teams not That includes the Colts. Remaining schedule: at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), in the hunt: Technically, they are alive after the Week 16 win. Even if they seem like the best team outside of the postseason, they will need the most help getting in, including at least one loss to both the Colts and Dolphins. Cincinnati also has to win on Saturday, beat Pittsburgh in Week 18 and hope Denver loses its final game of the regular season. Remaining schedule: against Broncos, at Steelers

NFL playoff win scenarios for Week 17

Detroit secures NFC North and No. 1 seed in NFC (first-round bye and home advantage) with:

▶ Win + Minnesota loss

Atlanta wins NFC South with:

▶ Win + loss in Tampa Bay

Philadelphia wins NFC East with:

Win or draw
Washington loses or draws

Los Angeles Rams win NFC West with:

▶ Win and secure the winning tiebreaker against Seattle

(Note: The Rams secure the win strength tiebreaker with 3½ or more wins against the following teams: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minnesota, San Francisco and Washington. A draw is equivalent to half a win in this formula.)

Denver secures the playoff spot with:

▶ Win or draw

Washington secures the playoff spot with:

Win or draw
Lose or draw in Tampa Bay

NFL playoff win scenarios for Week 18 (incomplete)

Baltimore wins AFC North with:

▶ Win or draw

Pittsburgh wins AFC North with:

The Chargers secure the spot by beating the Patriots

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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