The NFL playoff picture is heating up in both the AFC and NFC standings. Ahead of Sunday’s Week 16 matchups, four teams had clinched playoff spots.
The Denver Broncos are the lone AFC franchise to punch their ticket to the postseason. As for the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams have all already clinched playoff berths.
As a reminder, each division winner is guaranteed a top-four seed and homefield for the team’s first-round matchup, even if their opponent has a better record. For example, this means that the NFC West teams who do not win the division will likely be playing on the road despite potentially holding better records than their opponents.
The No. 1 seed in each conference will get a first-round bye and are guaranteed homefield advantage throughout the NFL playoffs.
Let’s take a look at the current NFL playoff standings for the NFC and AFC. These standings will be updated after the early games and again following the late-afternoon window. Teams in bold have already clinched a playoff berth, while franchises in italics would make the postseason if it started today.
AFC Playoff Standings: Broncos Lead Patriots, Jaguars, Steelers, Chargers & Bills
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES |
| 1. Denver Broncos | 12 | 2 |
| 2. New England Patriots | 11 | 3 |
| 3. Jacksonville Jaguars | 10 | 4 |
| 4. Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 6 |
| 5. L.A. Chargers | 11 | 4 |
| 6. Buffalo Bills | 11 | 4 |
| 7. Houston Texans | 9 | 5 |
| 8. Indianapolis Colts | 8 | 6 |
| 9. Baltimore Ravens | 7 | 7 |
AFC Playoff Games & Seeds as of Week 16
The following games would be the AFC playoff matchups based on the current standings heading into Week 16.
No. 7 Houston Texans at No. 2 New England Patriots
No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC Playoff Standings: Seahawks Lead Bears, Eagles & Rams
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | TIES |
| 1. Seattle Seahawks | 12 | 3 | |
| 2. Chicago Bears | 11 | 4 | |
| 3. Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | 5 | |
| 4. Carolina Panthers | 8 | 7 | |
| 5. LA Rams | 11 | 4 | |
| 6. San Francisco 49ers | 10 | 4 | |
| 7. Green Bay Packers | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| 8. Detroit Lions | 8 | 6 | |
| 9.Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 8 |
NFC Playoff Games & Seeds as of Week 16
No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Chicago Bears
No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles
No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 4 Carolina Panthers
AFC Wild Card Standings as of Week 16
Here’s a look at the AFC Wild Card standings. The top three teams will secure a Wild Card spot. Teams in italics would make the postseason if the NFL playoffs started today.
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES |
| 5. LA Chargers | 11 | 4 |
| 6. Buffalo Bills | 11 | 4 |
| 7. Houston Texans | 9 | 5 |
| 8. Indianapolis Colts | 8 | 6 |
| 9. Baltimore Ravens | 7 | 7 |
NFC Wild Card Standings as of Week 16
Here’s a look at the NFC Wild Card standings. The top three teams will secure a Wild Card spot. Teams in italics would make the postseason if the NFL playoffs started today.
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | TIES |
| 5. LA Rams | 11 | 4 | |
| 6. San Francisco 49ers | 10 | 4 | |
| 7. Green Bay Packers | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| 8. Detroit Lions | 8 | 6 | |
| 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 8 |
The Seahawks & Bears Notched Comeback Wins to Change the NFC Playoff Race
The Bears needed a dramatic comeback along with overtime to notch a victory over the Packers. Chicago’s win puts Caleb Williams and company in the driver’s seat atop the NFC North.
Days earlier, the Seahawks mounted an even crazier comeback against the Rams for a win with major playoff implications. Seattle is now in first place in the competitive NFC West and holds the NFC’s No. 1 seed with two games remaining for both squads.
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