The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us as those remaining in playoff contention look to book their postseason spots.
The playoff picture in the AFC is growing ever clearer, with Patrick Mahomes leading the Kansas City Chiefs to the No 1 seed ahead of the Buffalo Bills, and only a handful of teams able to force their way into the seventh and final wild card spot in the remaining week.
Yet the situation for those teams chasing divisional titles are much tighter in the NFC, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons going for the NFC South crown, while the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings duke it out for the North.
The race for a wildcard spot in both conferences
The Independent now takes a look at the NFL playoff picture – and who can stay in the race for the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on 9 February.
AFC
The six teams who have definitely qualified for the playoffs are:
The Kansas City Chiefs have locked up the No 1 seed in the AFC, meaning they receive a bye to the divisional round – and will play that match at home.
Andy Reid’s side, the defending champions as they go for three NFL titles in a row, will also play the AFC Championship match at home should they reach that stage.
The Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans have already won their divisons, guaranteeing a wild card round match at home, and the Bills have sealed the No 2 seed, which means home games all the way to the Super Bowl unless the AFC Championship clash is against Kansas City.
The Baltimore Ravens have secured the AFC North title, with the Pittsburgh Steelers will still make the play-offs as a wild card despite their final-week defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Los Angeles Chargers sealed a wild card spot by thrashing the New England Patriots on Saturday of week 17.
Who is in the box seat?
The Broncos are one win away from a play-off spot but that has been true for each of the last two weeks when they lost to the Chargers and then the Cincinnati Bengals. They host a Chiefs side resting plenty of players, including Mahomes, on the final weekend and will be confident of securing their place.
Who is still in contention?
Should the Broncos lose lose to the Chiefs, dropping Denver to 9-8, both the Bengals and Miami Dolphins will be in the hunt. Cincinnati just about took care of business against the Steelers to put the pressure on, but need help from both of their playoff rivals.
In the case that the Broncos lose to the Chiefs:
Who is definitely out?
NFC
The six teams who have definitely qualified for the playoffs are:
Three NFC North teams will be in the play-offs and it’s a shootout between the Lions and Vikings for the NFC North title (who meet in a blockbuster Sunday Night Football clash in the final match of the regular season), with the Packers guaranteed a wild card spot. Whoever wins the NFC North will also lock up the No 1 seed, giving themselves a bye through the first round of the play-offs and home advantage throughout the postseason.
The Eagles won the NFC East by thrashing the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend, while the Washington Commanders sealed their play-off spot with a 30-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons to book a wild card spot. The Rams are also there after beating the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Saturday night and other results going their way on Sunday.
Who is in the box seat?
Between the Falcons and the Buccaneers in the NFC South, it’s all to play for. Atlanta lost to Washington on Sunday night in a massive match with huge consequences and are now on the back foot, with the Buccaneers beating the Carolina Panthers convincingly.
The Buccaneers host the Saints (5-11) on Sunday night. Win and they take the NFC South and are through to the play-offs. If they slip up, the Falcons just need to beat the lowly Panthers at home to snatch the title.
Who is still in contention?
Who is definitely out?
When do the playoffs start?
The wildcard round – featuring six matches – starts on Saturday 11 January.
The divisional rounds are on the weekend starting on 18 January, with the conference championships a week later.
Super Bowl LIX is on Sunday 9 February.
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