Here’s an up-to-date look at the NFL playoff race
• 6 min read
Things always get kind of crazy during the final week of the regular season, and this year was no different.
The Tennessee Titans sent shockwaves around the AFC during the early slate of games with a 28-20 win over Jacksonville. If the Jaguars had won, they would have clinched the AFC South title, but instead, they’re out of the playoffs.
Here’s how Tennessee’s win impacted the AFC playoff race:
- The Texans clinched the AFC South
- The Steelers clinched a playoff berth
- The Bills clinched a playoff berth
- The Jaguars were eliminated
The AFC playoff field is now set, but three of the seeds are still up in the air and they won’t be settled until after the Bills and Dolphins play on Sunday night.
In the NFC, the entire playoff field is now set. The Packers clinched the final spot with a 17-9 win over the Bears. The Rams also picked up a 21-20 win over the 49ers to claim the sixth-seed in the NFC and that victory created a ripple effect that will now have Los Angeles facing Jared Goff and the Lions in the wild-card round.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the current playoff standings, plus what the playoff bracket currently looks like heading into the final game of the NFL season on Sunday night.
Of course the ultimate goal for each team in the postseason is to play in Super Bowl LVIII, which will be televised by CBS and streamed via Paramount+ (sign up for free 7-day trial).
AFC playoff standings
ELIMINATED
Colts (9-8): The Colts would have punched their ticket to the postseason with a win over Houston, but instead, they were eliminated.
Jaguars (9-8): The Jags had to beat the Titans to win the AFC South, but instead, they’ll be staying at home after losing in Tennessee.
AFC wild-card matchups (Based on current standings)
AFC
(7) Steelers at (2) Dolphins
(6) Bills at (3) Chiefs
(5) Browns at (4) Texans
Bye: Ravens
NFC playoff standings
ELIMINATED
Saints (9-8): The Saints had a chance at the NFC South title, but they needed the Buccaneers to lose. When that didn’t happen, they also had a chance at a wild-card berth, but they needed the Packers to lose for them to have a chance to get in and that didn’t happen.
Seahawks (9-8)
Possible seeds: To make the playoffs, the Seahawks needed a win combined with a Packers loss, but that second part didn’t happen, which means their season is now over.
Falcons (7-10): To make the playoffs, the Falcons needed a win and a Buccaneers loss, and neither of those things happened.
Vikings (7-10): The Vikings had to beat the Lions to keep their playoff hopes alive, but that didn’t happen.
NFC wild-card matchups (Based on current standings)
NFC
(7) Packers at (2) Cowboys
(6) Rams at (3) Lions
(5) Eagles at (4) Buccaneers
Bye: 49ers
