NFL playoff picture, draft order after Week 16: Cowboys and 49ers both eliminated from the postseason race

The playoff picture is becoming clearer after several big-name teams dropped out of the postseason race on Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention before either of them took the field on Sunday. Both franchises needed a lot of help and a perfect finish to reach the playoffs after their disappointing start to the season. Any hope of that happening is now officially gone.

The 49ers, who reached the Super Bowl last season, struggled with several injuries throughout the year, including to star running back Christian McCaffrey. Ultimately, he played in just four games that season, initially battling an Achilles tendon injury and then a knee injury. San Francisco lost its fifth game in its last six games as it fell to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.

The Cowboys aren’t last in the NFC East – the New York Giants have secured that position – but their season hasn’t been much better. Although they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night for their fourth win in their last five games, their push came too late since the loss of starting quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury. The Cowboys, who lost five straight games and their first five home games earlier this fall, will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. The Buccaneers’ loss also jeopardizes their chances of winning the NFC South.

The Baltimore Ravens also secured a playoff spot, their third straight, with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. This win also prevented the Steelers from winning the AFC North.

The Green Bay Packers then ended Week 16 with a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday. This secured their spot in the playoffs and kept them within touching distance of both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.

Here’s a look at the state of the playoffs after Week 16 of the NFL season.

NFC playoff picture

This is what the playoff race in the NFC looks like starting December 23rd. The teams in bold have secured a spot in the playoffs.

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) vs. 7. Washington Commanders (10-5)

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6) vs. 6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

On the bubble

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

AFC playoff image

This is what the AFC playoff race looks like on December 23rd. The teams in bold have secured a spot in the playoffs.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3) against 7. Denver Broncos (9-6)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) vs. 6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)

4. Houston Texans (9-6) vs. 5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

On the bubble

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

10.Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

Complete NFC rankings

As of December 23rd, here is the state of play in the NFC. The teams in bold have secured a spot in the playoffs. Teams in italics are eliminated from the playoffs.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

2. Washington Commanders (10-5)

3. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)

4. New York Giants (2-13)

NFC North

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)

2. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

3. Green Bay Packers (11-4)

4. Chicago Bears (4-11)

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

3. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

4. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

NFC West

1. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

2. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

3. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

4. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

Complete AFC rankings

Here is the state of play in the AFC as of December 23rd. The teams in bold have secured a spot in the playoffs. Teams in italics are eliminated from the playoffs.

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

2. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

3. New York Jets (4-11)

4. New England Patriots (3-12)

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)

2. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

3.Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

4. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

AFC South

1. Houston Texans (9-6)

2. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

3. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)

2. Denver Broncos (9-6)

3. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)

4. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)

NFL Draft Order

While there will likely be a lot of movement here in the coming weeks, the New York Giants currently hold the No. 1 pick in next spring’s draft.

Here’s what the top of the draft order looks like after Week 16 of the season.

1. New York Giants (2-13)

2. New England Patriots (3-12)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)

4. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

5. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

6. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)

7. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

8. New York Jets (4-11)

9. Chicago Bears (4-11)

10. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

11. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

12. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

13. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

14.Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

15. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)

16. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

17. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

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19. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

20. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)

21. Houston Texans (9-6)

22. Denver Broncos (9-6)

23. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

24. Washington Commanders (10-5)

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)

26. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

27. Green Bay Packers (11-4)

28. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

29. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

30. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

31. Detroit Lions (13-2)

32. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)