NFL playoff picture

The NFL is barreling toward the playoffs as the 2022 season has reached Week 16. Christmas Eve brought a stacked slate of games that carried substantial...

The Giants maintain their position in the NFC standings, but Saturday's loss was an emotional letdown. The result had significant ramifications, as the Titans are now out of first place in the AFC South thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars' win over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. Baltimore defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-9 before getting some help from an AFC North rival, as the Cincinnati Bengals took down the New England Patriots 22-18 to secure the Ravens' postseason berth.

What does the NFL playoff picture look like after Week 16? Here's how the postseason would shake out if the season ended today.

The Commanders got lucky in Week 16 because the Giants, Seahawks, and Lions — their primary competition for the No. With eight victories in a row, the 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL. But the Eagles still need to win one of their final two games — or have Minnesota, San Francisco, and Dallas all lose one game — in order to clinch the bye. If the Saints win out, they’ll still need some help to take the NFC South. [NFL schedule](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-schedule/), but playoff seedings and division titles were also at stake. With matching 6-9 records, Carolina and New Orleans are currently a half-game back of Tampa Bay, pending the Buccaneers’ Sunday night game against Arizona. A loss by the Commanders later today would further solidify Big Blue as a likely playoff participant. Both Tennessee and Jacksonville have 7-8 records, but the Jaguars Minnesota is still overwhelmingly likely to be the second or third seed in the conference. Even winning out to close the year wouldn’t guarantee the Patriots a spot in the playoffs. Back below .500, Seattle still has a chance at the playoffs, and their odds were helped by Detroit’s loss today. Because Buffalo holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, all the Chiefs can do in order to earn a first-round bye is hope the Bills drop at least one of their final two games.

Here's a look at the updated playoff picture for Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season, including all the current postseason seed positions and the contenders on ...

Chicago Bears (3-12), last place, NFC North Los Angeles Rams (4-10), last place, NFC West 16. Arizona Cardinals (4-10), third place, NFC West 15. Atlanta Falcons (5-10), last place, NFC South 15. Houston Texans (2-12-1), last place, AFC South Denver Broncos (4-10), last place, AFC West 16. Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1), third place, AFC South 15. Cleveland Browns (6-9), last place, AFC North 14. Dallas Cowboys (11-4), second place, NFC East. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4), first place, AFC North. Miami Dolphins (8-6), second place, AFC East. Baltimore Ravens (10-5), second place, AFC North.

ESPN takes a look at the NFL playoff scenarios for Week 16 and what teams in the AFC and NFC need to do to make it all the way.

[Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles) (13-2) [Indianapolis Colts](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/ind/indianapolis-colts) (4-9-1) [Buffalo Bills](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills) (12-3) [Los Angeles Chargers](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lac/los-angeles-chargers) (8-6) [Monday](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437931), 8:15 p.m. The [Baltimore Ravens](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens) and the [Cincinnati Bengals](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals)are looking to make final pushes in their quests for the AFC North title. [2022 NFL regular season](https://www.espn.com/nfl/schedule), the [playoff picture](https://www.espn.com/nfl/standings) is shaping up. 1 seed, [losing](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437927) to the [Dallas Cowboys](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys). The [Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles) couldn't wrap up the NFC East and the NFC's No. [Baltimore Ravens](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens)at (4) [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/jax/jacksonville-jaguars) 14, with 14 teams making the field, seven from each conference. [playoff-clinching scenarios](https://www.espn.com/nfl/standings/_/view/playoff) for Week 16 as teams try to reach [Super Bowl LVII](https://www.espn.com/nfl/super-bowl/)on Feb.

ESPN takes a look at the NFL playoff scenarios for Week 16 and what teams in the AFC and NFC need to do to make it all the way.

[Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles) (13-2) [Indianapolis Colts](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/ind/indianapolis-colts) (4-9-1) [Buffalo Bills](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills) (12-3) [Los Angeles Chargers](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lac/los-angeles-chargers) (8-6) [Monday](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437931), 8:15 p.m. The [Baltimore Ravens](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens) and the [Cincinnati Bengals](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals)are looking to make final pushes in their quests for the AFC North title. [2022 NFL regular season](https://www.espn.com/nfl/schedule), the [playoff picture](https://www.espn.com/nfl/standings) is shaping up. 1 seed, [losing](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437927) to the [Dallas Cowboys](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys). The [Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles) couldn't wrap up the NFC East and the NFC's No. [Baltimore Ravens](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens)at (4) [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/jax/jacksonville-jaguars) 14, with 14 teams making the field, seven from each conference. [playoff-clinching scenarios](https://www.espn.com/nfl/standings/_/view/playoff) for Week 16 as teams try to reach [Super Bowl LVII](https://www.espn.com/nfl/super-bowl/)on Feb.

Three games remain for most N.F.L. teams, and although the postseason picture for many of them may seem wide open, there's no need to guess about their ...

[Detroit Lions](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/upshot/detroit-lions-nfl-playoff-picture.html) (7-8) [Washington Commanders](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/upshot/washington-commanders-nfl-playoff-picture.html) (7-7-1) [come-from-behind victory](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/17/sports/football/vikings-colts-comeback-nfl-history.html) against the Colts in Week 15. 7 seed](https://www.nfl.com/standings/playoff-picture). 5 seed](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/upshot/new-york-giants-nfl-playoff-picture.html#min-nyg-16=loss&nyg-ind-17=win&phi-nyg-18=loss&event=seed5), which would come with the reward of visiting the winner of the N.F.C. [best outcome in Week 16](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/upshot/cincinnati-bengals-nfl-playoff-picture.html#bal-atl-16=loss&chi-buf-16=win&kc-sea-16=loss&ne-cin-16=loss&event=seed1) is a win accompanied by Bills, Ravens and Chiefs losses. As with the Vikings, their remaining games will probably determine only whether they are the No. Realistically, they would need to win their remaining games, at least two of which are likely to be against playoff teams, to have a chance. After a 1-6 start, the Lions are 7-7 with a path to a wild-card berth, especially given their remaining schedule, when they face three teams with losing records. contenders — they have a two-game lead over the Vikings and hold a tie-break edge with them anyway — that even winning one of their remaining games would clinch both the division title and the No. They’ll almost certainly need to win both their remaining games (both on the road). We’ll describe their postseason probabilities conditional on the results of their next games (if they have three remaining): if they win all three, win two, win one or lose all three.

How NFL playoff picture and NFC and AFC standings look with Week 16 nearly complete. The Jaguars moved into AFC South lead after Titans loss.

Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, vs. Remaining schedule: at Cardinals, vs. Remaining schedule: vs. Remaining schedule: at Packers, at Bears Vikings, vs. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Jets, vs. Browns, vs. Saints, vs. Packers, at Patriots, vs. Colts, vs. Bills, vs.

The Bills, Chiefs, Bengals and Ravens have all clinched posts in the AFC. The Eagles, Vikings, 49ers and Cowboys have clinched in the NFC.

[Seahawks](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/seahawks/)(7-8) [Cardinals](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/ari-cardinals/), vs. [Saints](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/saints/), vs. [Colts](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/colts/), vs. Odds to make the playoffs: 21.9 percent [Lions](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/lions/)(7-8) [Texans](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/texans/), vs. [Bengals](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/bengals/), vs. [Chargers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/chargers/) can clinch the first playoff berth of Justin Herbert’s career with a win at Indianapolis on Monday. Odds: To make playoffs: 86.0 percent Odds: To make playoffs: 92.4 percent Odds: To make playoffs: 71.7 percent Odds: To make playoffs: 100 percent

The NFL is barreling toward the playoffs as the 2022 season has reached Week 16. Christmas Eve brought a stacked slate of games that carried substantial...

The Giants maintain their position in the NFC standings, but Saturday's loss was an emotional letdown. The result had significant ramifications, as the Titans are now out of first place in the AFC South thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars' win over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. Baltimore defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-9 before getting some help from an AFC North rival, as the Cincinnati Bengals took down the New England Patriots 22-18 to secure the Ravens' postseason berth.

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LVII. AFC. Seed, Team, Division, Record ...

[Dallas Cowboys](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/17) and [Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/19) showed Saturday they're two of the NFC's best teams. [Carolina Panthers](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/32) also have reasons to celebrate. The [New Orleans Saints](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/30) will certainly be watching that clash, as they remain alive in the NFC South race after taking down the [Cleveland Browns](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/10). [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/28) keep on winning. New York's loss to the [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/16) on Thursday also helped the [Cincinnati Bengals](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/9) punch a playoff ticket from home. [Miami Dolphins](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/2) and [Los Angeles Chargers](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/8) will remain in a playoff spot for at least one more week regardless of the outcome of their respective games in Week 16, but they can both extend their leads in the wild-card battle. Despite the loss, the Giants have a 91% chance of making the postseason, according to [FiveThirtyEight](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-nfl-predictions/). [Trevor Lawrence](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/players/161653) and the Jaguars - winners of three straight - suddenly lead the AFC South. [Ryan Tannehill](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/players/21390) go down with an ankle injury. But Buffalo has no margin for error, as the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/6) defeated the [Seattle Seahawks](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/24) on Saturday to claim their 12th win. Rookie [Malik Willis](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/players/174046) made his third start Saturday in place of Tannehill but couldn't generate much offense. [Buffalo Bills](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/1) overcame a rough first half against the [Chicago Bears](https://www.thescore.com/nfl/teams/25) to claim their third consecutive AFC East title and keep the No.

The NFL playoff races are going down to the wire after the Saturday state of games in Week 16. The race for home-field advantage will be a good one between ...

Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, vs. What to know: The Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention. Vikings, vs. Browns, vs. 7 seed in the NFC thanks to the Seahawks and Saints, vs. Remaining schedule: vs. What to know: The Chargers are the No. Bills, vs. They are one of four teams tied at 7-8, but hold the conference-record tiebreaker over the Titans and

Everything you need to know for the NFL in Week 16, including bold predictions, key stats, playoff picture scenarios and score picks.

49ers](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35305379/commanders-de-chase-young-injury-list-active-vs-49ers) ... in '22 fading](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35292071/odds-cowboys-sign-odell-beckham-jr-season-fading) ... [Philly leads Pro Bowl with eight selections](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35301071/philadelphia-eagles-lead-nfl-8-selections-new-pro-bowl-games) [Raiders (6-8) at Steelers (6-8)](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437928) [Carson Wentz](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2573079/carson-wentz) will play for Washington. [Tunsil lone Texan to make Pro Bowl roster](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35293921/2023-nfl-pro-bowl-afc-nfc-rosters-players-teams-watch) ... [Fabian Moreau](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2971586/fabian-moreau)? Chargers](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35297952/colts-bench-qb-matt-ryan-start-nick-foles-vs-chargers) ... [Bengals DE Hendrickson to play with broken wrist](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35305636/bengals-trey-hendrickson-play-brace-broken-wrist) [Bills (11-3) at Bears (3-11)](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437920) [Source: Bengals DE Hubbard (cald) to miss time](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35286472/source-bengals-hope-sam-hubbard-return-end-season) ... [See Week 16 rankings](https://www.espn.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/22WeeklyRankings22main/nfl-fantasy-football-rankings-2022-quarterback-running-back-wide-receiver-tight-end-defense-kicker). [Cardinals' McCoy out; McSorley set for first NFL start](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35298838/cardinals-colt-mccoy-trace-mcsorley-set-1st-nfl-start) ... [Wirfs lone Buccaneer to make Pro Bowl roster](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35293921/2023-nfl-pro-bowl-afc-nfc-rosters-players-teams-watch#TB) ...

Dak Prescott threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Dallas Cowboys over NFL-best Philadelphia 40-34, keeping the Eagles from clinching a top ...

The Titans (7-8) had a fifth consecutive loss to slide level with Jacksonville for the AFC South lead. Tennessee’s playoff hopes suffered a blow with a 19-14 home loss to Houston (2-12-1). Baltimore Ravens (9-5, clinched playoffs) Cincinnati Bengals (11-4, clinched playoffs) Dallas Cowboys (11-4, clinched playoffs) “With those four turnovers, they gave us short field position and we were able to capitalise on some. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2, clinched playoffs) It was whoever was the toughest the longest. I focused in and we were able to come out with this one.” “It was just about moving on,” said Prescott. But then we just made too many errors.” It was a trenchy hard-fought, Warfare-type game.

Minshew Mania is on hold. The Philadelphia Eagles couldn't wrap up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed with their backup quarterback, tightening the playoff ...

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8), Carolina Panthers (6-9) and New Orleans Saints (6-9) are fighting for the NFC South title. The defending AFC champion Bengals (11-4) have won seven in a row and still have a chance to earn the No. The Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) will be rooting for Joe Burrow and the Bengals to beat Buffalo. “You want to be playing your best football going into the playoffs and I feel like that’s where we have to continue to get better and better is let’s put that full game together — offense, defense, special teams and I thought we did a pretty good job of it (Saturday), but we can be even better going into these last two weeks.” Philadelphia beat Dallas at home with Jalen Hurts in the lineup and backup Cooper Rush starting for the Cowboys. The Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t wrap up the NFC East and the No.

The Eagles face the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. We break down what the game means for the NFL playoff picture.

If they want to win the NFC East, they need to win out and have the Eagles lose out. If they lose this week, they would be able to clinch the division with a win or tie or a Cowboys loss or tie in any of the two remaining weeks. They need a win in any of the three remaining weeks or a Giants loss in any of the three remaining weeks to clinch that highest wild card position.

The gift isn't as big as the Dallas Cowboys' confidence-boosting win against the Philadelphia Eagles or the Minnesota Vikings' 61-yard field goal to win another ...

[Washington Commanders](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/washington-football)? [Click Here](https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/). [Check out the Si.com team page here](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/washington-football) All are winnable games, which only puts more pressure on the Commanders to defeat the Browns at FedEx Field next Sunday at 1 p.m. The present? [your Washingt](https://sitickets.com/performer/washington-commanders?utm_source=fannation&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=washington-commanders) [on Commanders game tickets from SI Tickets HERE!](https://sitickets.com/performer/washington-commanders?utm_source=fannation&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=washington-commanders)

It's pretty simple for the Eagles — win and they clinch everything. Though the Vikings and Cowboys could steal the top NFC playoff spot away from the Birds.

The Minnesota Vikings could also theoretically dethrone the Eagles as the NFC’s top seed. It’s still mathematically possible for the Cowboys to win the NFC East, but the odds aren’t in their favor. Thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ upset over Dallas last week (