The Chiefs beat the Steelers and secured first place

Each week during the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates on the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture – typically starting after late games on Sunday afternoon and continuing through the remainder of the week (through Monday and Thursday). Games or Saturdays if applicable. And if Christmas falls on a Wednesday, we’ll watch too.)

What just happened? What does it mean? What relevant factors (and perhaps the deciding factors) will play a prominent role as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to emerge? Everything will be explained and analyzed until the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, January 5th.

Here’s where things stand in Week 17 of the 2024 season:

NFC playoff image

x – 1. Detroit Lions (13-2), NFC North leaders: Last week, they were in a three-way tie at the top of the conference and tied with Minnesota for the league lead. But Philadelphia’s loss in Week 16 makes it increasingly likely that the Lions and Vikings will be playing for every major regular-season spot in Week 18. The win gives the Lions everything they want, including home field advantage. That also applies to a win in San Francisco on Monday combined with a loss in Minnesota. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Vikings

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x – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), NFC East leaders: You’ve had a tough Sunday. They snapped their 10-game winning streak, a chance to finish the division, and fell one game behind Detroit and Minnesota in the race for home-field advantage. But they’re still within a Commanders win or loss of securing the division and at least being No. 2. Remaining schedule: against Cowboys, against Giants

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6), NFC West leaders: Beat Seattle in Week 18 and the division is theirs. Or a win over Arizona and some help would get it done Saturday, too. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7), NFC South leaders:Rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. won his starting debut against the struggling Giants. But the real win came last Sunday night when the Bucs – they were defeated by Atlanta earlier in the season – lost in Dallas. The Falcons can win the division in Week 17 with another win And another loss in Tampa Bay. Remaining schedule: at Commanders vs. Panthers

x – 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2), Wild Card No. 1: Like Detroit, they control their own potentially rich destiny – win, and the NFC North and No. 1 seed belong to Minnesota. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at Lions

x – 6. Green Bay Packers (11-4), Wild Card No. 2: The win against Detroit and the already one-off loss to Minnesota resulted in the Pack being demoted to wild-card status … although the Saints’ whitewash on Monday was the final reminder that this is, in fact, the final NFC North team could be something you want to see in January. But given that the Packers are guaranteed to open the playoffs on the road, it will be interesting to see how often they face their key starters over the next two weeks, considering that this presents limited opportunities. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (10-5), No. 3 seed: Although they defeated the Eagles, they didn’t quite secure a spot in the postseason – but remained alive in the NFC East, eliminating both the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers from the playoffs. A win in Week 17 puts Washington in the dance. A loss could be extremely problematic in the tiebreaker area as it would open up an alternate path for the Bucs, who beat Washington in Week 1. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), in the hunt: On Sunday night, they couldn’t handle a Dallas team that had been eliminated from the playoffs earlier in the day. The Bucs could see their ambitions of retaining the NFC South throne dashed this week. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7), in the hunt: After Sunday’s loss to Minnesota, they will need help to win the NFC West. Neither the Seahawks nor the Rams have a path to a wild-card berth. Remaining schedule: at Bears, at Rams

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AFC playoff image

yz – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), AFC West champions: By beating the Steelers, they secured home-field advantage and a bye in the first round – and actually two weeks off, depending on who they choose to play in Week 18. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, BYE

J – 2. Buffalo Bills (12-3), AFC East champions: With the Chiefs now out of the running for the No. 1 seed, second place in the conference should still have some significance, as the road to Super Bowl 59 could come via Western New York if the Chiefs lose their playoff opener. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Patriots

x – 3. Baltimore Ravens (10-5), AFC North leaders: Catch fire? They secured their spot in the postseason on Saturday, avoided the Pittsburgh AFC North crown, and are now very much primed to win the division themselves after moving into first place thanks to Pittsburgh’s loss on Wednesday. Baltimore also might have been able to achieve the Super Bowl form it showed earlier in the season. Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Browns

J – 4. Houston Texans (9-6), AFC South champions: They’re dominating a weak division for the second year in a row, but they’re sitting almost in fourth place… which would mean a tough wild card matchup, most likely against an AFC North team. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Titans

x – 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Wild Card No. 1: That’s three defeats in a row, and Wednesday’s poor performance against Kansas City cost them first place in the AFC North for the time being. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals

6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6), Wild Card No. 2: By defeating the Broncos for the first time in 14 years, they prevented Denver from securing the win in Week 16, while also overtaking their division rivals and securing the season tiebreaker (due to the win). Another win secures the field for Bolts. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (9-6), wild card No. 3: They had a win-and-in scenario last week to clinch their first postseason trip since winning Super Bowl 50 nine years ago. Still, another win would put Denver in the playoffs. But if they lose to Cincinnati in Week 17, they’re in for big trouble… although their Week 18 game against Kansas City means nothing to the Chiefs now. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8), in the hunt: Technically alive after Sunday’s win. Their record in AFC play (6-5) is better than Miami (5-5) and Cincinnati (4-6). Remaining schedule: at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8), in the hunt: Technically alive after Sunday’s win. Remaining schedule: at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), in the hunt: Technically alive after Sunday’s win. Although they seem like the best team off the field, they will need the most help getting in, including losses to the Colts and Dolphins. Remaining schedule: against Broncos, at Steelers

NFL playoff win scenarios for Week 17

Detroit secures NFC North and No. 1 seed in NFC (first-round bye and home advantage) with:

▶ Win + Minnesota loss

Atlanta wins NFC South with:

▶ Win + loss in Tampa Bay

Philadelphia wins NFC East with:

Win or draw
Washington loses or draws

Los Angeles Rams win NFC West with:

Win + Seattle loss or draw
Win and at the same time secure the strength of victory in the tiebreaker over Seattle
Draw + Seattle loss

Denver secures the playoff spot with:

▶ Win or draw

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