The Broncos and Rams became the first two teams to clinch playoff berths on Sunday, and they have the inside track to the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC. Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after Sunday Night Football in Week 15:
AFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Broncos (12-2) If they win out, they’re the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
2. Patriots (11-3) Their lead in the AFC East still looks safe, but they’ll have a tough time catching the Broncos for the No. 1 seed.
3. Jaguars (10-4) The clear favorites in the AFC South.
4. Steelers (7-6) Have the lead over the Ravens in the two-team race for the AFC North.
WILD CARDS
5. Chargers (10-4) First in the wild card race thanks to a better AFC record than the Bills.
6. Bills (10-4) Probably won’t catch the Patriots in the AFC East even after they won on Sunday, but in great shape for a wild card.
7. Texans (9-5) Just need to keep winning to clinch the final AFC wild card berth.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Colts (8-6) A valiant effort from Philip Rivers in a loss in Seattle, but it’s now an extreme long shot the Colts make the playoffs.
9. Ravens (7-7) Stayed in the AFC North race by beating the Bengals.
10. Dolphins (6-7) Best of the bad teams in the AFC.
11. Chiefs (6-8) Mathematically eliminated.
12. Bengals (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
13. Jets (3-11) Mathematically eliminated.
14. Browns (3-11) Mathematically eliminated.
15. Raiders (2-12) Mathematically eliminated.
16. Titans (2-12) Mathematically eliminated.
NFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Rams (11-3) Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks in the NFC West.
2. Bears (10-4) If they run the table they win the NFC North.
3. Eagles (9-5) Playing the hapless Raiders was a good way to turn things around.
4. Buccaneers (7-7) Two games remaining against the Panthers will determine who wins the NFC South.
WILD CARDS
5. Seahawks (11-3) Need to win their rematch with the Rams on December 18.
6. 49ers (10-4) Despite a lot of injuries, they remain in playoff position.
7. Packers (9-4-1) Fell behind the Bears in the NFC North with an ugly, injury-filled loss.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Lions (8-6) Running out of time to turn their season around.
9. Panthers (7-7) Fell out of first place in the NFC South by losing to the Saints.
10. Cowboys (6-7-1) Any realistic hope of making the playoffs ended on Sunday night.
11. Vikings (6-8) Mathematically eliminated.
12. Falcons (5-9) Mathematically eliminated.
13. Saints (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
14. Commanders (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
15. Cardinals (3-11) Mathematically eliminated.
16. Giants (2-12) Mathematically eliminated.
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