Every week throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports provides timely updates on the playoff picture, starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and moving through the week, including Monday’s and Thursday’s games. When Christmas falls on a Wednesday, we’ll be keeping an eye on the action too.
What just happened? What does it mean? What are the critical factors (and possibly tiebreakers) that will shape the postseason as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to take shape? All will be explained and analyzed until the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, January 5.
Here’s where things stand as Week 17 of the 2024 season continues:
NFC Playoff Picture
x – 1. Detroit Lions (13-2), NFC North Leaders: Last week, the Lions were part of a three-way tie at the top of the NFC and shared the division lead with Minnesota. But following Philadelphia’s Week 16 loss, the Lions and Vikings are now in a head-to-head race for both the NFC North title and home-field advantage. A win in their remaining games gives the Lions everything they want, including the top spot in the NFC. A win against San Francisco on Monday combined with a Minnesota loss to Green Bay would help their cause. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Vikings.
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x – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), NFC East Leaders: The Eagles’ hopes of locking up the division were dashed last Sunday, as they lost their 10-game winning streak and dropped a game behind Detroit and Minnesota in the race for the top NFC seed. With quarterback Jalen Hurts potentially out due to a concussion, their path to a division title has become trickier. Still, they are one win away or one Commanders loss from clinching the NFC East and at least the No. 2 seed. Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants.
- Los Angeles Rams (9-6), NFC West Leaders: Both the Rams and Seahawks are contending for the NFC West title but have no path to a wild-card berth. If both teams finish 10-7, the Rams currently hold the advantage in the strength-of-victory tiebreaker. With a win over Arizona, the Rams can clinch the division. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks.
- Atlanta Falcons (8-7), NFC South Leaders: Rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. had a successful debut against the Giants. The Falcons benefited last Sunday when Tampa Bay lost to Dallas, keeping their division hopes alive. A win in Week 17 combined with a Tampa Bay loss would secure the NFC South title. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, vs. Panthers.
x – 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2), Wild Card No. 1: The Vikings still have everything in their hands—win out, and they secure the NFC North and the No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at Lions.
x – 6. Green Bay Packers (11-4), Wild Card No. 2: Despite being swept by Detroit and losing to Minnesota earlier in the season, the Packers are in the wild-card race. Their win over the Saints on Monday reaffirmed their dangerous playoff potential, though they’ll be playing on the road. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Bears.
- Washington Commanders (10-5), Wild Card No. 3: Washington’s win over the Eagles keeps their playoff hopes alive. They must win in Week 17 to clinch a postseason spot, though a loss could cause issues in tiebreakers, especially after a loss to Tampa Bay earlier this season. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Cowboys.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 26: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks leads his team against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field on December 26, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-7), In the Hunt: The Seahawks are still in the playoff picture, but they need help to win the NFC West after a tough loss to Minnesota. Their best-case scenario requires a Rams loss followed by a win over Los Angeles in Week 18. If both teams end up 10-7, the Rams would likely win the division due to the strength-of-victory tiebreaker. Remaining schedule: at Rams.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), In the Hunt: The Bucs fell short against a Dallas team that had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Their NFC South hopes are now in jeopardy, and a loss this weekend could end their season. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers, vs. Saints.
AFC Playoff Picture
yz – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), AFC West Champions: The Chiefs clinched home-field advantage and a first-round bye with a dominant win over Pittsburgh. They now have the luxury of potentially resting key players in their meaningless Week 18 matchup. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, BYE.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
y – 2. Buffalo Bills (12-3), AFC East Champions: After being eliminated from the race for the No. 1 seed, the Bills still have the second spot locked up. Should the Chiefs lose their playoff opener, the Bills would host the AFC Championship. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Patriots.
x – 3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5), AFC North Leaders: The Ravens are surging after their dominant performance against Houston, and they now sit atop the AFC North. A win in Week 18 clinches the division title. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns.
y – 4. Houston Texans (9-7), AFC South Champions: The Texans remain the leaders in a weak AFC South but are locked into the fourth seed due to their loss on Wednesday. They’re set for a tough wild-card matchup. Remaining schedule: at Titans.
x – 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Wild Card No. 1: The Steelers’ three-game losing streak, including a tough loss to Kansas City, has knocked them out of the AFC North lead. They can still win the division if they beat Cleveland in Week 18. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals.
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-6), Wild Card No. 2: The Chargers secured a season sweep over the Broncos and now need one more win to clinch a playoff berth. They’ll look to continue their strong form. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, at Raiders.
- Denver Broncos (9-6), Wild Card No. 3: After a key win in Week 16, the Broncos control their destiny. A win in Week 17 guarantees their first postseason appearance since Super Bowl 50. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Chiefs.
- Indianapolis Colts (7-8), In the Hunt: The Colts are still alive in the playoff race after their Week 16 victory. They need to win out and get some help from other teams. Remaining schedule: at Giants, vs. Jaguars.
- Miami Dolphins (7-8), In the Hunt: The Dolphins are still in contention but face a tough path to the playoffs. Remaining schedule: at Browns, at Jets.
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), In the Hunt: The Bengals are still mathematically alive, but they need a lot of help to sneak into the postseason. Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos, at Steelers.
NFL Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for Week 17
Detroit clinches NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 seed (first-round bye and home-field advantage) with:
▶ Win + Minnesota loss
Atlanta clinches NFC South with:
▶ Win + Tampa Bay loss
Philadelphia clinches NFC East with:
▶ Win or tie ▶ Washington loss or tie
Los Angeles Rams clinch NFC West with:
▶ Win while clinching strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Seattle
(Note: Rams clinch strength-of-victory tiebreaker with 3½ or more wins from teams such as Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minnesota, San Francisco, and Washington.)
Denver clinches playoff berth with:
▶ Win or tie
Los Angeles Chargers clinch playoff berth with:
▶ Win or tie ▶ Miami loss or tie + Indianapolis loss or tie
Washington clinches playoff berth with:
▶ Win or tie ▶ Tampa Bay loss or tie
NFL Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for Week 18 (Incomplete)
Baltimore clinches AFC North with:
▶ Win or tie
Pittsburgh clinches AFC North with:
▶ Win + Baltimore loss
NFL Teams Eliminated from Playoff Contention in 2024
