NFL playoff picture, NFL standings update in Week 17

[ASFN Admin]

The NFL playoff picture continues to become clearer as Week 17 moves into the weekend.

Houston can clinch a playoff berth with a win on Dec. 27 against the LA Chargers. In the second game of the day, Baltimore must win at Green Bay to remain alive in the AFC playoff picture.

In the NFC, the Packers clinched a playoff berth with Detroit's Christmas Day loss but must win to remain alive in the NFC North.

Here is the NFL playoff picture in Week 17, with the standings updated throughout Dec. 27 and 28:

WEEK 17 SCHEDULE: What NFL games are on TV this week? NFL Week 17 TV schedule

AFC Playoff Picture​

Division leaders​

1. Denver Broncos (13-3) Clinched playoff berth; AFC West leaders​

• This week: Won 20-13 at Kansas City
• Remaining schedule: LA Chargers

Clinching scenarios: The Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win and a Chargers loss or tie OR a tie and a Chargers loss. Denver can clinch the division and home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs with a win, a Chargers loss or tie, a Patriots loss, a Bills loss or tie and a Jaguars loss or tie.

2. New England Patriots (12-3) Clinched playoff berth; AFC East leaders​

• This week: at NY Jets, Noon on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Miami

Clinching scenarios: The Patriots can clinch the AFC East with a win and a Bills loss or tie OR a tie and a Bills loss.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) Clinched playoff berth; AFC South leaders​

• This week: at Indianapolis, Noon on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Tennessee

Clinching scenarios: The Jaguars can clinch the AFC South with a win and a Texans loss or tie OR a tie and a Texans loss.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) AFC North leaders​

• This week: at Cleveland, Noon on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Baltimore

Clinching scenarios: The Steelers can clinch the AFC North with a win or tie OR a Ravens loss or tie.

Wild cards​

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) Clinched playoff berth​

• This week: Houston, 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 27
• Remaining schedule: at Denver

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4) Clinched playoff berth​

• This week: Philadelphia, 3:25 p.m. on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: NY Jets

7. Houston Texans (10-5)​

• This week: at LA Chargers, 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 27
• Remaining schedule: Indianapolis

Clinching scenarios: The Texans can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie OR a Colts loss or tie.

Outside looking in​

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)​

• This week: Jacksonville, Noon on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: at Houston

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)​

• This week: at Green Bay, 7 p.m. on Dec. 27
• Remaining schedule: at Pittsburgh

10. Miami Dolphins (6-9); eliminated from playoff contention​

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10); eliminated from playoff contention​

12. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10); eliminated from playoff contention​

13. New York Jets (3-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

14. Tennessee Titans (3-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

15. Cleveland Browns (3-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13); eliminated from playoff contention​

NFC playoff picture​

Division leaders​

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) Clinched playoff berth, NFC West leader​

• Remaining schedule: at San Francisco
• This week: at Carolina, Noon on Dec. 28

Clinching scenarios: The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West with a win, a Rams loss or tie and a 49ers loss or tie OR a tie, a Rams loss and a 49ers loss.

2. Chicago Bears (11-4) Clinched playoff berth, NFC North leader​

• This week: at San Francisco, 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Detroit

Clinching scenarios: The Bears can clinch the NFC North with a win OR a Packers loss OR a tie and a Packers tie.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) Clinched NFC East​

• This week: at Buffalo, 3:25 p.m. on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Washington

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7) NFC South leader​

• This week: Seattle, Noon on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: at Tampa Bay

Clinching scenarios: The Panthers can clinch the NFC South with a win and a Buccaneers loss or tie OR a tie and a Buccaneers loss.

Wild cards​

5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) Clinched playoff berth​

• This week: Chicago, 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Seattle

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) Clinched playoff berth​

• This week: at Atlanta,
• Remaining schedule: Arizona

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) Clinched playoff berth​

• This week: Baltimore, 7 p.m. on Dec. 27
• Remaining schedule: at Minnesota

Clinching scenarios: The Packers clinched a playoff berth with the Lions' loss to Chicago on Dec. 25.

Outside looking in​

8. Minnesota Vikings (8-8); eliminated from playoff contention​

9. Detroit Lions (8-8); eliminated from playoff contention​

10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1); eliminated from playoff contention​

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)​

• This week: at Miami, Noon on Dec. 28
• Remaining schedule: Carolina

12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9); eliminated from playoff contention​

13. New Orleans Saints (5-10); eliminated from playoff contention​

14. Washington Commanders (4-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

16. New York Giants (2-13); eliminated from playoff contention​

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NFL playoff picture, NFL standings update in Week 17

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