Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks as the Week 15 slate winds down, with the Kansas City Chiefs seeing their playoff hopes go down the drain after a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams became the first two teams to clinch postseason spots this NFL season. Both teams are in line for the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences.
Advertisement
(* Clinched playoff spot)
AFC
1. Denver Broncos (12-2)*: Up next — vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 21, 4:05 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Broncos secured a postseason spot with a win over the Packers, and they are now the favorite to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC at 63% odds, according to The Athletic’s playoff predictor.
2. New England Patriots (11-3): Up next — at Baltimore Ravens, Dec. 21, 8:20 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Patriots squandered their chance to clinch the AFC East title with a loss to the Bills, but they still have 76% odds to win the division, per The Athletic.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4): Up next — At Denver Broncos, Dec. 21, 4:05 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Jags maintained their lead in the AFC South, and are 56% likely to win the division, per The Athletic.
Advertisement
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): Up next — vs. Miami Dolphins, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Steelers lead the AFC North. Their odds of clinching a playoff berth are at about 70%, per The Athletic.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4): Up next — at Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 21, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Chargers have a 90% shot at making the playoffs, via NFL.com, but they are still very much a long shot to catch the Broncos for the division title.
6. Buffalo Bills (10-4): Up next — At Cleveland Browns, Dec. 21, 1 p.m. ET.
Notable odds: While Buffalo’s chances at catching up to New England to win the division title are still slim (25% according to The Athletic), the Bills are a virtual lock to make the playoffs.
7. Houston Texans (9-5): Up next — vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Texans’ odds to make the playoffs are 97%, per The Athletic.
Advertisement
Still in the AFC picture
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6): Up next — vs. San Francisco 49ers, Dec. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Colts have just an 11% shot at the playoffs, according to the Athletic, after a narrow loss to Seattle.
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7): Up next — vs. New England Patriots, Dec. 21, 8:20 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Ravens bumped their playoff odds to 42% with a much-needed win over the Bengals, according to The Athletic.
10. Miami Dolphins (6-7): Up next — At Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Miami hasn’t been mathematically eliminated yet, but it would take a miracle as at a less than 1% shot to get in, according to The Athletic.
Advertisement
NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)*: Up next — at Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Rams clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Lions, and they remain the NFC favorite to earn the No. 1 seed at 55%, per The Athletic. A big game at Seattle is coming Thursday.
2. Chicago Bears (10-4): Up next — vs. Green Bay Packers, Dec. 20, 8:30 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Bears have a 78% shot of making the playoffs, per The Athletic, and they improved their odds of winning the NFC North to 42% thanks to a Packers loss. Next week’s game against Green Bay very well could decide the division.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5): Up next — At Washington Commanders, Dec. 20, 5 p.m. ET
Notable odds: After crushing the Raiders to end a three-game losing skid, the Eagles have 95% odds to make the playoffs, via The Athletic. The top seed, however, is almost certainly out of reach.
Advertisement
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): Up next — at Carolina Panthers, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers in the NFC South at the moment, and they have a 75% shot at making the playoffs, per NFL.com. A pair of games against the Panthers over the next three weeks will be critical.
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3): Up next — vs. Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Though almost a lock to make the playoffs, the Seahawks are only at 35% to win the NFC West, per The Athletic. A win over the Rams on Thursday would go a long way in flipping those odds.
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4): Up next — at Indianapolis Colts, Dec. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Strong playoff favorites at 96%, per The Athletic.
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1): Up next — At Chicago Bears, Dec. 20, 8:20 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Packers fell out of the lead for in the NFC North and dropped to 49% to win the division after a loss to the Broncos. Saturday’s game in Chicago becomes massive.
Advertisement
Still in the NFC picture
8. Detroit Lions (8-6): Up next — vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Down to 26% to make the playoffs, per The Athletic.
9. Carolina Panthers (7-7): Up next — vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dec. 21, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: A loss to the Saints was costly as it dropped Carolina to 24% to make the playoffs, according to The Athletic. Two games against the Bucs down the stretch will decide the division.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1): Up next — vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Notable odds: 8% to make the playoffs, according to The Athletic and NFL.com.
Advertisement
Already eliminated
AFC
-
Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
NFC
-
New Orleans Saints (4-10)
-
Washington Commanders (4-10)
