NFL 2021 playoff picture: Updated standings, wild card race, projected matchups as Week 17 wraps up

The home stretch of the 2021 NFL season is here, as Week 17 is nearly in the books, with just the Packers and Vikings set to square off on “Sunday Night Football” and the Browns and Steelers set to go at it on Monday night.

The playoff picture, as you know, is really taking shape. And both conferences are chock-full of some feisty battles for the 14 combined postseason spots. There are still plenty of scenarios on the table as we venture into the new year.

Below, find an updated 2021 NFL playoff picture, featuring complete postseason standings (with tiebreakers already accounted for), a rundown of wild card contenders and projected opening-weekend playoff matchups for both the AFC and NFC:

AFC

1. Titans (11-5)*
2. Chiefs (11-5)*
3. Bengals (10-6)*
4. Bills (10-6)*
5. Patriots (10-6)*
6. Raiders (9-7)
7. Colts (9-7) 
   
   

On the brink

8. Chargers (9-7)

9. Steelers (7-7-1)

10. Dolphins (8-8)

11. Ravens (8-8)

12. Browns (7-8)

Officially eliminated

13. Broncos (7-9)

14. Texans (4-12)

15. Jets (4-12)

16. Jaguars (2-14)

Note: * = officially clinched playoff berth.

Projected wild card matchups

• (No. 1 Titans on bye)
• No. 7 Colts at No. 2 Chiefs
• No. 6 Raiders at No. 3 Bengals
• No. 5 Patriots at No. 4 Bills
  
  

NFC

1. Packers (12-3)*
2. Rams (12-4)*
3. Buccaneers (12-4)*
4. Cowboys (11-4)*
5. Cardinals (10-5)*
   
   
6. 49ers (9-7)
7. Eagles (9-7)

On the brink

8. Vikings (7-8)

9. Saints (7-8)

Officially eliminated

10. Falcons (7-9)

11. Washington (6-10)

12. Bears (6-10)

13. Panthers (5-10)

14. Seahawks (5-10)

15. Giants (4-12)

16. Lions (2-12-1)

Note: * = officially clinched playoff berth.

Projected wild card matchups

• (No. 1 Packers on bye)
• No. 7 Eagles at No. 2 Rams
• No. 6 49ers at No. 3 Buccaneers
• No. 5 Cardinals at No. 4 Cowboys

Get 40% off NFL gear now