close
close

Which teams are still on the way to Super Bowl LIX?

Which teams are still on the way to Super Bowl LIX?

We are just weeks away from crucial playoff action before the final two weeks of the NFL regular season.

The AFC Conference playoff picture looks all but certain with Patrick Mahomes leading the Kansas City Chiefs over the Buffalo Bills for the No. 1 seed and only a handful of teams able to force their way into the wild card rounds in the remaining weeks.

However, the situation for the final playoff spots in the NFC is much tighter, with two teams with winning records – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks – currently sitting just outside the top seven spots.

But a lot can still change between now and Sunday, January 5, when the final games of the regular season take place.

The Independent now takes a look at the NFL playoff picture – and who can stay in the race for Super Bowl LIX on February 9th in New Orleans.

AFC

The five teams that definitely qualified for the playoffs are:

  • Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) – No 1 seed guaranteed

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

That means the Kansas City Chiefs will receive a bye to the divisional round – and will play this game at home.

Andy Reid’s team, the defending champions seeking three straight NFL titles, will also play the AFC Championship Game at home if they reach that stage.

Patrick Mahomes led the reigning NFL champions to the No. 1 pick (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Patrick Mahomes led the reigning NFL champions to the No. 1 pick (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Who is sitting in the box seat?

  • Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) – Chances of playoffs: 94%

  • Denver Broncos (9-6) – Chances of playoffs: 76%

The Chargers are just one win away from a playoff spot. However, they were away in their last two games, but in duels they are the favorites to win: at the Patriots and at the Raiders.

The Broncos are also just one win away from a playoff spot. Intriguingly, they travel to Cincinnati (who are still just in the running) on ​​Saturday before hosting what will likely be a much-changed Chiefs team last weekend.

Who else is in the running?

  • Indianapolis Colts (7-8) – Chances of playoffs: 15%

  • Miami Dolphins (7-8) – Chances of playoffs: 9%

  • Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) – Chances of playoffs: 7%

The Los Angeles Chargers are one win away from a playoff spot (AP)

The Los Angeles Chargers are one win away from a playoff spot (AP)

Who is definitely out?

  • Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)

  • New England Patriots (3-12)

NFC

The four teams that definitely qualified for the playoffs are:

  • Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

Who’s sitting in the box seat?

  • Washington Commanders (10-5) – Chances of playoffs: 94%

  • Los Angeles Rams (9-6) – Chances of playoffs: 86%

  • Atlanta Falcons (8-7) – Chances of playoffs: 54%

The Detroit Lions are close to the No. 1 seed in the NFC (AP)

The Detroit Lions are close to the No. 1 seed in the NFC (AP)

The Commanders can clinch a playoff spot this week if they beat the Falcons or the Buccaneers lose to the Carolina Panthers.

After the Seahawks narrowly beat the Bears on Christmas Day, the Rams must beat the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Saturday night to get ahead of their rivals in the NFC West.

But there is a neck-and-neck race between the Falcons and the Buccaneers in the NFC South. Atlanta travels to Washington on Sunday night for a huge, big-picture game before hosting the Panthers last weekend.

The Seahawks did their job this week. But last weekend they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. They’re hoping Sean McVay’s side have already secured their spot in the playoffs and can therefore take a break and rotate.

Who else is in the running?

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) – Chances of playoffs: 51%

  • Seattle Seahawks (9-7) – Chances of playoffs: 14%

Seattle beat Chicago in freezing temperatures on Christmas Day (AP)

Seattle beat Chicago in freezing temperatures on Christmas Day (AP)

Who is definitely out?

  • San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

  • New Orleans Saints (5-10)

When do the playoffs start?

The six-game wildcard round begins on Saturday, January 11th.

The divisional rounds will take place the weekend beginning Jan. 18, with the conference championships a week later.

Super Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday, February 9th.

Watch the NFL in the UK DAZN’s NFL Game Pass

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *