2023 NFL playoff permutations: Here’s what you need to know
The San Francisco 49ers defense celebrates after Fred Warner’s interception during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images CNN —
Jobs are being won or lost, and futures are decided upon. It can only mean one thing: the NFL playoffs are just around the corner.
With three weeks of the 2023 regular season remaining, just four of the 14 playoff spots across the two conferences have been sewn up, meaning a lot of teams are vying for a ticket to the postseason.
Here’s all the permutations you need to know about.
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu celebrates after he intercepted a pass during the Lions’ 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 24. The Lions secured their fist division title since 1993 with the win. Matt Krohn/USA Today Network/Reuters
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. scores a touchdown to tie the game during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers beat the Panthers 33-30 after a successful field goal in the final moments. Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks runs for yardage during the Titans’ 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Wade Payne/AP
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams grabs the jersey of Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel. The Jets beat the Commanders 30-28. Adam Hunger/AP
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs can’t make the catch as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III defends. The Falcons won 29-10. Danny Karnik/AP
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens points to a Cincinnati Bengals defender as he runs by during the Steelers’ 34-11 win against the Bengals on Saturday, December 23. Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock looks to pass in the first quarter of the Seahawks’ Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 18. Lock, who had his second start of the season Monday, led his team to a 20-17 victory. Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Chamarri Conner, Charles Omenihu and Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs tackle New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday, December 17. The Chiefs won 27-17. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs the ball during a the team’s 30-0 win against the New York Jets. Lauren Sopourn/Miami Dolphins/AP
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws the ball during the first half. The Carolina Panthers beat the Falcons 9-7. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney nearly catches a Hail Mary pass in the final play of the Bears’ game against the Cleveland Browns. Mooney failed to secure the ball and the Browns won 20-17. Scott Galvin/USA Today Network/Reuters
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Sam Navarro/USA Today Network/Reuters
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito walks off the field after losing 24-6 to the New Orleans Saints. Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta dives into the end zone for a touchdown on Saturday, December 16. The Lions beat the Denver Broncos 42-17. Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler carries the ball. The Vikings lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 in overtime. Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. The Colts beat the Steelers 30-13. Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley walks off of the field after losing 63-21 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, December 14. Staley and general manager Tom Telesco were fired the next day. The game was a franchise record for points scored by the Raiders, and a franchise worst for points allowed by the Chargers, per NFL.com. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a pass during a Monday Night Football game against Miami on December 11. The Titans trailed 27-13 with 3:08 left in the fourth quarter, but they scored two touchdowns late to win 28-27 in regulation. Rich Storry/Getty Images
D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the Bears’ 28-13 upset win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 10. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson leaps over Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo during the Cowboys’ 33-13 victory. With the win, the Cowboys extended their home winning-streak to 15 games. Sam Hodde/AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass in the fourth quarter of a narrow 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown. The Falcons lost 29-25 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace escapes multiple attempted tackles during a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams. Wallace’s touchdown earned the Ravens a 37-31 victory. David Tulis/UPI/Shutterstock
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock. Lock started for the Seahawks on Sunday after veteran Geno Smith was ruled inactive. The 49ers won 28-16. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence reacts after suffering an injury during the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, December 4. David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looks to pass during the 49ers’ 42-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 3. Matt Slocum/AP
New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle prepares to snap the ball during the Jets’ 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Al Bello/Getty Images
Roger McCreary of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon attempt to catch the ball. The Colts beat the Titans 31-28 in overtime. Andy Lyons/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a catches touchdown pass in the end zone. Eric Hartline/USA Today Network/Reuters
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton celebrates after catching a 45-yard touchdown pass. The Broncos lost to the Houston Texans 22-17. Eric Christian Smith/AP
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass for a first down as Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams defends during the Cowboys’ 41-35 Thursday Night Football win on November 30. Roger Steinman/AP
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Lucas Patrick lifts placekicker Cairo Santos after Santos kicked the game winning field goal against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, November 27. The Bears defeated the Vikings 12-10. Adam Bettcher/Getty Images
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Sunday, November 26. The Eagles won 37-34. Matt Slocum/AP
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the Bengals’ 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson scrambles in the backfield. The Browns lost 29-12 to the Denver Broncos. Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Network/Reuters
Desmond Ridder of the Atlanta Falcons hands the ball off to Tyler Allgeier during the Falcons’ 24-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus catches a touchdown pass over Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde. Matt Slocum/AP
Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland runs the ball after intercepting New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle’s Hail Mary pass on the 1-yard line on Friday, November 24. Holland ran it to the other end of the field, weaving through the scrambled defense, for an astonishing 99-yard interception touchdown. The Dolphins beat the Jets 34-13. Chris Pedota/USA Today Network
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys’ 45-10 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23. Jerome Miron/USA Today Network/Reuters
Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch for a touchdown during a game against the Detroit Lions. The Packers beat the Lions 29-22. Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling drops a pass late in the fourth quarter during the Chiefs’ Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 20. The Eagles beat the Chiefs 21-17 in the Super Bowl rematch. David Eulitt/Getty Images
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Seahawks beat the Rams 17-16. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow holds his wrist after a throw during the Bengals’ 34-20 Thursday Night Football loss to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16. He tore a ligament in his right wrist. Aaron M. Sprecher/AP
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon celebrates with teammates after intercepting the ball during the Colts’ 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 12. Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Network/Reuters
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed stiff arms Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers beat the Packers 23-19. Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs the ball during the Cardinals’ 25-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. It was Murray’s first game back in action after being injured late last season. Mike Christy/Getty Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs recovers a fumble. Chris O’Meara/AP
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring a touchdown. The Cowboys beat the New York Giants 49-17. Cooper Neill/Getty Images
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas evades Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II. Steve Luciano/AP
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, second from bottom, is tackled by Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes, top, during the Chargers’ 41-38 loss to the Lions. Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell is on the bottom. Harry How/Getty Images
Noah Sewell, right, and Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears celebrate during the Bears’ 16-13 Thursday Night Football win over the Carolina Panthers on November 9. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs players warm up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 5. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins 21-14. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs reaches for the pylon during the Vikings’ 31-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Dobbs, who was acquired by the Vikings in a trade last week, threw for 158 yards with two touchdowns in the air and one on the ground. Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans drops back to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stroud threw for 470 yards in the Texans’ narrow 39-37 victory. Cooper Neill/Getty Images
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones grimaces after being sacked during the Giants’ 30-6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. John Locher/AP
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints. The Saints beat the Bears 24-17. Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren evades Tre Avery of the Tennessee Titans on November 2. The Steelers beat the Titans 20-16. Michael Owens/Getty Images
Detroit Lions fans cheer on a third down play during the Lions’ 26-14 Monday Night Football victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 30. Joe Robbins/AP
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian celebrates a second quarter interception in Denver on October 29. The Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 24-9. Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the Titans’ 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Levis threw four touchdowns during the game, his NFL debut. George Walker IV/AP
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown makes a one-handed catch to score a touchdown against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. The Eagles beat the Commanders 38-31. Alex Brandon/AP
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss reaches for a one-yard touchdown run during the Colts’ 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Michael Conroy/AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks off the field after the Chiefs’ loss to the Denver Broncos. Mahomes, who was set to make history with a win, threw two interceptions and no touchdowns. Jack Dempsey/AP
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. runs past San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga. The Bengals beat the 49ers 31-17. Josie Lepe/AP
Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Bills’ 24-18 Thursday Night Football victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 26. Rich Barnes/Getty Images
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott after the Patriots beat the Bills 29-25 on October 22. It was Belichick’s 300th regular-season victory. Michael Dwyer/AP
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams drops a pass in the end zone. The Raiders lost 30-12 to the Chicago Bears. Jamie Sabau/USA Today Network/Reuters
Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning field goal on the final play of the Falcons’ 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams evades Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage, bottom. The Broncos beat the Packers 19-17. Jack Dempsey/AP
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor runs the ball during the Colts’ 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Network/Reuters
Teammates run to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as he celebrates his touchdown during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs won 31-17. Charlie Riedel/AP
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy scrambles away from Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah during the second half of the 49ers’ 19-17 loss on October 15. Sue Ogrocki/AP
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert jumps over Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson. Mostert had two touchdowns during the Dolphins’ 42-21 victory. Lynne Sladky/AP
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields warms up wearing a #51 patch honoring the late Dick Butkus before the Bears’ game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in Chicago. Butkus, a hard-hitting Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker who played nine seasons for the Bears, died October 5. Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom celebrates his interception during the Rams’ 26-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Quincy Williams of the New York Jets tackles Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The Eagles are 5-1 for the season after their 20-14 loss to the Jets. Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes calls a play during the Chiefs’ 19-8 Thursday Night Football win over the Denver Broncos on October 12. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed sits on the sideline as Las Vegas Raiders’ Robert Spillane is congratulated after his interception on October 9. The Raiders beat the Packers 17-13. David Becker/AP
Haason Reddick of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after sacking Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Eagles beat the Rams 23-14. Harry How/Getty Images
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta tries in vain to pull in a pass reception in Detroit on October 8. The Lions beat the Carolina Panthers 42-24. Paul Sancya/AP
New York Jets running back Breece Hall carries the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos. The Jets won 31-21. Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts beat the Titans 23-16. Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens celebrates after catching a 41-yard touchdown pass during the Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Matt Durisko/AP
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase runs past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson after making a catch during the Bengals’ 34-20 victory over the Cardinals. Chase scored three touchdowns during the game. Joe Camporeale/USA Today Network/Reuters
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell during the Chargers’ 24-17 victory on October 1. Mack recorded six sacks, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to do so in a single game. Ashley Landis/AP
Jacksonville Jaguars fans wave flags ahead of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London. It was the first of five international games the NFL has scheduled this season as part of its ever-expanding International Series. The Jaguars won 23-7. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions celebrates with fans during his team’s 34-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 28. Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins makes a catch for a touchdown in the second half of the Buccaneers’ win 26-9 against the New Orleans Saints. Butch Dill/AP
Cincinnati Bengals’ Evan McPherson kicks a field goal during a game against the Tennesee Titans. McPherson was Cincinnati’s only player to put points on the board during their 27-3 loss. George Walker IV/AP
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin shouts while warming up ahead of the Bills game against the Miami Dolphins. Hamlin participated in the opening kickoff, his first regular season appearance after surviving a cardiac arrest on the field nearly nine months ago. The Bills beat the Dolphins 48-20. Adrian Kraus/AP
Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders makes a pass reception during the second quarter of the Commanders’ 34-31 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Kareem Jackson of the Denver Broncos celebrates intercepting a pass thrown by Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. The Broncos won 31-28. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert celebrates with teammates Braxton Berrios and Christian Wilkins after scoring one of his four touchdowns during the Dolphins’ landslide victory over the Broncos on September 24. Rebecca Blackwell/AP
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers remain undefeated after their 30-12 Thursday Night Football win on September 21. Cary Edmondson/USA Today Network/Reuters
Grammy Award-winning singer Taylor Swift cheers on the Kansas City Chiefs from the family suite of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift’s show of support comes after weeks of speculation — by various NFL broadcasters and the vast majority of Swifties — that she and Kelce are dating. Swift had plenty to cheer about as the Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears 41-10. David Eulitt/Getty Images
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper pulls in a catch for a touchdown during the Browns’ 27-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Andrew Nelles/USA Today Network/Reuters
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leaps into the endzone for a touchdown during his team’s 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders. Evan Vucci/AP
Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson go after a fumble in the endzone. The Colts beat the Ravens 22-19. Brent Skeen/USA Today Network/Reuters
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs fends off New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom during the first half at Lambeau Field. The Packers edged out a 18-17 win. Dan Powers/USA Today Network/Reuters
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is sacked by Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes in the first half at Ford Field in Detroit. The Falcons lost 20-6. Rick Osentoski/AP
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb grimaces after suffering a knee injury in a Monday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18. He was carted off the field in the second quarter. Before leaving the game, the star running back had 10 carries for 64 yards. Matt Durisko/AP
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson scores in the first half of a 30-10 win over the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium on September 17. It was the Jets’ first game without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suffered an ankle injury during his debut with the team in Week 1. Michael Ainsworth/AP
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws a pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at TIAA Bank Field. Lawrence threw for 216 yards during Jacksonville’s 17-9 loss to Kansas City. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert looks for space to run the ball as he evades Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David at Raymond James Stadium. The Bears would lose 27-17. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is tackled by linebacker Preston Smith during the second half of a 25-24 win over the Green Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson makes a catch over New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals narrowly lost 31-28. Matt York/AP
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray receives a pass. The Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Network/Reuters
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams celebrates after scoring the team’s only touchdown during their 38-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Adrian Kraus/AP
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making his debut with the New York Jets, is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd. Rodgers suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field after the play, which occurred during the team’s first drive in the first quarter. Before being traded in the offseason, Rodgers had spent the first 18 seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. Elsa/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey looks for space to run the ball in the second half of a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 10 in Pennsylvania. Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst tries to stiff arm Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was all for naught as the Falcons won the game 24-10. Dale Zanine/USA Today Network/Reuters
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers pulls in a touchdown past Denver Broncos CB Damarri Mathis in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. The score would be important as the Raiders edged the home side, 17-16. Ron Chenoy/USA Today Network/Reuters
It was a rough day for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals as they got trounced by the Cleveland Browns 24-3. The highest paid quarterback in the league had a tough start to the season, throwing 14-for-31 for 82 yards and being crushed here by Browns safety Grant Delpit. Sue Ogrocki/AP
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of a 20-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Los Angeles Chargers kicker JK Scott punts the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers would lose 36-34 to the Dolphins. Kirby Lee/USA Today Network/Reuters
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver/punt returner Zay Flowers catches a deep pass in the first quarter during the Houston Texans. Baltimore fans had plenty of action to cheer as their team thoroughly handled the Texans 25-9. Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. It was to be one of the only highlights for the home fans as the Niners won 30-7. Matt Freed/AP
It was a rough start to the year for the Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes as they were shocked by the Detroit Lions 21-20 in Missouri. Still, many are predicting the Chiefs will repeat this year. Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Network/Reuters The best photos from the 2023 NFL season Prev Next American Football Conference (AFC)
The Baltimore Ravens are the only team in the AFC to have already wrapped up their playoff spot after Week 15.
Following their 23-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens are in pole position to earn the No. 1 seed in the conference with a record of 11-3 and ensure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs as a result.
Below them, everything is still up for grabs, with quarterback injuries adding an element of jeopardy to the AFC race.
The Miami Dolphins sit second in the conference at 10-4 and first in the AFC East division. The team would claim a spot in the postseason with a victory in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks for a passing option against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
The Kansas City Chiefs – the reigning Super Bowl champions – sit third in the AFC with a 9-5 record, reflecting a thoroughly frustrating season; the defense has looked elite but offensive miscues and a lack of explosiveness have blighted the team’s progress this year.
Even so, in an underwhelming AFC West, the Chiefs can clinch the division title with a Week 16 victory and book their spot in the playoffs as a result. However, Kansas City will need a major slip up from both Baltimore and Miami if it has any hopes of the No. 1 seed.
The Jaguars, the Browns, the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts occupy the final four remaining spots in the bracket, with the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on the outside.
Cleveland and Indianapolis, as well as Cincinnati who now sits outside the playoff spots, have all battled season-ending injuries to their starting quarterbacks. The Browns are on their fourth quarterback of the year but will have to keep winning to book a spot in a competitive AFC.
Jacksonville has lost three straight games, to allow the Colts – manned by backup quarterback Gardner Minshew – to race back into contention but the Jaguars hold the tie-breaker over their AFC South rivals after beating them twice this season already.
As long as they match Indy’s results for the rest of the season, the Jaguars will book their spot in the playoffs.
The Browns have undergone a late-season surge under Joe Flacco’s leadership and, although the AFC North division title looks out of reach thanks to Baltimore’s continued excellence, they remain well in with a shout of reaching the playoffs.
Joe Flacco calls out instructions in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
With a one-game lead over most of their AFC competitors, two wins from the final remaining three weeks should see the Browns into the postseason.
The Bengals and the Colts both face a stiff task with backups leading the way to remain in the playoff hunt, particularly with the Texans and the Bills lurking, ready to pounce on any mistake.
And the Bengals slipped up against the Steelers, succumbing to a 34-11 defeat that kept Pittsburgh alive in the playoff race.
The Bills themselves are arguably the hottest team in the NFL at the moment off the back of impressive victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers after a slow start to the season.
With three weeks remaining of the NFL regular season, the bottom of the AFC playoff picture is all to play for as the drama heats up with the culmination of the season approaching.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys. Adrian Kraus/AP National Football Conference (NFC)
Three teams from the NFC have already booked their spot in the playoffs this season.
The San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles all have their postseason berths secured with three weeks remaining.
The 49ers look the strongest bet to wrap up the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage with a one-game lead in the standings, and the imperious form they are showing at the moment in contrast to both Dallas’ and Philadelphia’s up-and-down finishes to the year.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore celebrates with his teammates after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers. Ashley Landis/AP
Below the three teams already in the postseason, the Detroit Lions currently own the third seed as NFC North leaders with a record of 10-4 as the team enjoys a magical season.
And the squad could go one step further shortly as a Week 16 victory would clinch the division title and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs – the first time Detroit would make the postseason since 2016.
There is a big drop off in record between the Lions and the next best franchise.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently occupy the fourth seed as NFC South division leaders with a 7-7 record.
The Bucs face the 7-8 New Orleans Saints in a critical Week 17 clash on New Year’s Eve in Tampa Bay which could be the decider on who makes it in and who goes home in the NFC South.
The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams currently occupy the remaining NFC playoffs spots but are going in different directions as the end of the season approaches.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford drops back to pass against the Washington Commanders. Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Quarterback injuries have ravaged the Vikings who have lost three of their last four and they now face the Lions twice in the final three weeks of the season.
The Rams, however, are improving with a young roster led by a veteran quarterback – Matthew Stafford – and after a big Week 16 win against the Saints, LA faces the lowly New York Giants; a playoff spot is well within their grasp.
The Seattle Seahawks and the Saints currently sit outside the playoff spots knowing they need to better the teams above them to reach the postseason.
AFC standings after Week 15
1) Baltimore Ravens – 11-3, first in AFC North (clinched playoff spot)
2) Miami Dolphins – 10-4, first in AFC East
3) Kansas City Chiefs – 9-5, first in AFC West
4) Jacksonville Jaguars – 8-6, first in AFC South
5) Cleveland Browns – 9-5, second in AFC North
6) Cincinnati Bengals – 8-6, third in AFC North
7) Indianapolis Colts – 8-6, second in AFC South
On the outside
8) Houston Texans – 8-6, third in AFC South
9) Buffalo Bills – 8-6, second in AFC East
NFC standings after Week 15
1) San Francisco 49ers – 11-3, first in NFC West (clinched playoff spot)
2) Dallas Cowboys – 10-4, first in NFC East (clinched playoff spot)
3) Detroit Lions – 10-4, first in NFC North
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 7-7, first in NFC South
5) Philadelphia Eagles – 10-4, second in NFC East (clinched playoff spot)
6) Los Angeles Rams – 8-7, second in NFC West (played Week 16 game)
7) Minnesota Vikings – 7-7, second in NFC North
On the outside
8) Seattle Seahawks – 7-7, third in NFC West
9) New Orleans Saints – 7-8, second in NFC South (played Week 16 game)