NFL 2024 playoff standings, picture : Chiefs lock up No. 1 seed in AFC; Ravens seize first place in AFC North

The Christmas Day games had a significant impact on the NFL playoff race, as all four teams in action were vying for positions in the AFC playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs secured home-field advantage in the AFC with a decisive victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opener of the day’s doubleheader.

The Steelers, meanwhile, lost their hold on the AFC North lead. The Baltimore Ravens capitalized on the opportunity, seizing first place in the division with a dominant win over the Houston Texans. Baltimore now stands just one win away from clinching the AFC North title.

AFC playoff picture

Seed	Team	W	L	T	PCT
1	z - Chiefs	15	1	0	.938
2	y - Bills	12	3	0	.800
3	x - Ravens	11	5	0	.688
4	y - Texans	9	7	0	.563
5	x- Steelers	10	6	0	.625
6	Chargers	9	6	0	.600
7	Broncos	9	6	0	.600
8	Colts	7	8	0	.467
9	Dolphins	7	8	0	.467
10	Bengals	7	8	0	.467
11	e - Jets	4	11	0	.267
12	e - Browns	3	12	0	.200
13	e - Jaguars	3	12	0	.200
14	e - Titans	3	12	0	.200
15	e - Raiders	3	12	0	.200
16	e - Patriots	3	12	0	.200

z -- clinched first-round bye
y -- clinched division
x -- clinched playoff berth
e -- eliminated from playoffs 

AFC Playoff Picture Breakdown

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
   The Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with their victory over the Steelers. With the lone bye in the AFC, Kansas City can rest its starters in Week 18.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Broncos

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
   The Bills needed the Chiefs to lose out for a chance at the top seed, which didn’t happen. To secure the No. 2 seed, the Bills need a win in one of their final two games.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
   The Ravens overtook the AFC North lead following their win and the Steelers' loss. Baltimore clinches the division with a win or a Steelers loss in Week 18.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Browns

4. Houston Texans (9-7)
   The Texans have clinched the AFC South and are locked in as at least the No. 4 seed, earning a home game in the wild-card round.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Titans

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
   The Steelers lost their hold on the AFC North after their defeat to the Chiefs. They can reclaim the division with a win and a Ravens loss in Week 18.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Bengals

6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
   The Chargers hold the No. 6 seed, owning the tiebreaker over Denver. A playoff berth is clinched with a win or losses by both the Dolphins and Colts.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (9-6)
   Denver is one win away from clinching a playoff spot and needs just one victory in its final two games.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
   The Colts are two games out of the final wild-card spot and face elimination with one more loss or wins by the Chargers and Broncos. They hold tiebreakers over both Miami and Cincinnati.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
   Miami remains in the playoff race but will be eliminated with a loss or wins by both the Chargers and Broncos. The Dolphins trail Denver by two games for the final playoff spot but hold a tiebreaker over Cincinnati.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
    The Bengals need considerable help to make the playoffs. Two games behind the Broncos, Cincinnati must win out and leapfrog multiple teams to stay alive.

• Remaining Schedule: vs. Broncos, at Steelers

NFC playoff picture

Rank	Team	W	L	T	PCT
1	x - Lions	13	2	0	.867
2	x - Eagles	12	3	0	.800
3	Rams	9	6	0	.600
4	Falcons	8	7	0	.533
5	x - Vikings	13	2	0	.867
6	x - Packers	11	4	0	.733
7	Commanders	10	5	0	.667
8	Buccaneers	8	7	0	.533
9	Seahawks	8	7	0	.533
10	e- Cowboys	7	8	0	.467
11	e- Cardinals	7	8	0	.467
12	e- 49ers	6	9	0	.400
13	e- Saints	5	10	0	.333
14	e - Bears	4	11	0	.267
15	e - Panthers	4	11	0	.267
16	e - Giants	2	13	0	.133

x -- clinched playoff berth
e -- eliminated from playoffs 

NFC Playoff Picture Breakdown

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
   The Lions hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are tied with the Vikings for the NFC North lead but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Detroit secures the top seed with a win and a Minnesota loss.

   • Remaining Schedule: at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
   The Eagles remain contenders for home-field advantage but need several scenarios to fall into place: the Lions must lose out, the Vikings must lose next week, and Minnesota must defeat Detroit in Week 18. Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed with a win in either of their final two games.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
   The Rams lead the NFC West by a game over the Seahawks with two games left. They clinch the division with a win next week and a Seattle loss.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
   The Falcons top the NFC South and can clinch the division with a win and a Buccaneers loss. Atlanta holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Tampa Bay and controls its playoff destiny.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Commanders, vs. Panthers

5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
   The Vikings are the top wild-card team and remain tied with Detroit for first in the NFC North. However, Detroit holds the tiebreaker for the division lead.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
   The Packers have clinched a playoff spot and currently sit as the No. 6 seed in the NFC.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (10-5)
   The Commanders hold a two-game lead over the Buccaneers and Seahawks for the final wild-card spot. They clinch a playoff berth with a win next week or a Buccaneers loss.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
   The Buccaneers have fallen out of the playoff picture after leading the NFC South. To reclaim the division, they must finish with a better record than the Falcons, as they lost both head-to-head matchups with Atlanta. A loss this week also secures a playoff spot for the Commanders.

   • Remaining Schedule: vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
   The Seahawks are two games behind the Commanders for the final wild-card spot and one game back in the NFC West race. However, the Rams hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. A loss this week combined with a Rams win eliminates Seattle from playoff contention.

   • Remaining Schedule: at Bears, at Rams

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Eliminated from Contention

The following NFC teams have been officially eliminated from the playoff race:

• Cardinals
• Cowboys
• 49ers
• Saints
• Bears
• Panthers
• Giants