4 of 14 N.F.L. postseason slots remained unclaimed heading into the ultimate day of regular-season video games.
As a result of outcomes in different video games can typically have an effect on the possibilities in your group and others, it may be complicated to comply with who’s in and who’s out, even for the professionals on tv.
So we created these charts that map the playoff paths that stay for every group. They checklist all of the methods a group could make the playoffs — or be eradicated from them. The tree diagrams begin with a given group after which checklist the potential outcomes of the video games which may matter to them, in chronological order from left to proper. All of them hyperlink again to our interactive playoff simulator, which helps you to discover any state of affairs.
One be aware: The textual content doesn’t account for ties. However we’ve got included a button with every tree for those who’d wish to discover how ties have an effect on every group’s playoff path.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Remaining recreation:
at Commanders (4-12)
Very best consequence: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #5 Wild Card
Present: #3 Div. Champ
After weeks of chasing, the Cowboys are in agency management of the N.F.C. East. They’ve secured a playoff berth and face the Commanders (4-12).
In the event that they win, they are going to win the division and safe the No. 2 seed, internet hosting the No. 7 seed — probably the Seahawks, Packers, Rams, Vikings or Saints.
In the event that they lose, they are going to nonetheless win the division if the Eagles (11-5) lose to the Giants (5-11). An Eagles win and a Cowboys loss would imply Dallas would fall to the No. 5 seed, visiting the No. 4 seed within the first spherical.
Discover the entire Cowboys’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Remaining recreation:
at Giants (5-11)
Very best consequence: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #5 Wild Card
Present: #5 Wild Card
The Eagles have clinched a playoff berth, however that’s about the one good factor that may be mentioned of their latest weeks. After opening with a 10-1 document, they’ve misplaced 4 of their final 5. They will nonetheless win the division, however a wild-card berth now appears extra seemingly. They face the Giants (5-11) subsequent.
If the Eagles win, they are going to win the division if the Cowboys lose. In any other case they’ll be the No. 5 seed, visiting the No. 4 seed — most likely the Buccaneers.
In the event that they lose, they would be the No. 5 seed.
Discover the entire Eagles’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
NFC North
Detroit Lions (12-5)
Very best consequence: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #3 Div. Champ
Present: #2 Div. Champ
The Lions have gained the N.F.C. North for the primary time in 30 years and can very seemingly be the No. 3 seed, internet hosting the No. 6 seed. They host the Vikings (7-9) on Sunday.
If the Lions win, they would be the No. 2 seed if the Eagles and Cowboys each lose. In any other case they’ll be the No. 3 seed.
If the Lions lose, they’ll be the No. 3 seed.
Discover the entire Lions’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-8)
Remaining recreation:
Bears (7-9)
Very best consequence: #6 Wild Card
Worst: Out
Present: Out
The Packers have many paths to the playoffs. Their solely hope is a wild-card berth. They face the Bears in Week 18.
In the event that they win, the Packers are within the playoffs. They’ll be the No. 6 seed if the 49ers beat the Rams; in any other case they’ll be the No. 7 seed.
In the event that they lose, issues are far more sophisticated; our simulator provides them a few 1-in-4 probability of creating the playoffs with a loss. They might be eradicated if the Vikings beat the Lions or if the Seahawks beat the Cardinals.
Discover the entire Packers’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Bucs (9-8)
Very best consequence: #4 Div. Champ
Worst: #4 Div. Champ
Present: #4 Div. Champ
The Bucs have clinched a playoff berth and the N.F.C. South title. They are going to host the No. 5 seed.
Discover the entire Bucs’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
New Orleans Saints (9-8)
Very best consequence: #7 Wild Card
Worst: Out
Present: #7 Wild Card
The Saints beat the Falcons to maintain their playoff hopes alive, however now want the Packers and Seahawks to lose.
Discover the entire Saints’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Remaining recreation:
Rams (9-7)
Very best consequence: #1 Bye
Worst: #1 Bye
Present: #1 Bye
The 49ers have clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field benefit all through the playoffs. They host the Rams (9-7), however the recreation could have no impact on the 49ers’ playoff standing.
Discover the entire 49ers’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Los Angeles Rams (9-7)
Remaining recreation:
at 49ers (12-4)
Very best consequence: #6 Wild Card
Worst: #7 Wild Card
Present: #6 Wild Card
The Rams have clinched a playoff berth because the No. 6 or No. 7 seed.
In the event that they win, they’ll be the No. 6 seed, visiting the No. 3 seed — most likely the Lions.
In the event that they lose, they are going to drop to the No. 7 seed if the Packers beat the Bears.
Discover the entire Rams’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Remaining recreation:
at Cardinals (4-12)
Very best consequence: #7 Wild Card
Worst: Out
Present: Out
The Seahawks want two outcomes to go their manner.
In the event that they win, they are going to make the playoffs if the Bears beat the Packers. They might be the No. 7 seed, visiting the No. 2 seed — most likely the Cowboys.
In the event that they lose, they’re eradicated.
Discover the entire Seahawks’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC East
Miami Dolphins (11-5)
Remaining recreation:
Payments (10-6)
Very best consequence: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #6 Wild Card
Present: #2 Div. Champ
The Dolphins have clinched a playoff berth and face the Payments (10-6) within the regular-season finale.
In the event that they win, they are going to win the division and host the No. 7 group (most likely the Payments once more) within the first spherical of the playoffs.
In the event that they lose, they would be the No. 6 seed, visiting the third-seeded Chiefs.
Discover the entire Dolphins’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Buffalo Payments (10-6)
Remaining recreation:
at Dolphins (11-5)
Very best consequence: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #7 Wild Card
Present: #6 Wild Card
The Payments have gained 4 straight and can go to Miami in Week 18 with the division title on the road. They clinched a playoff berth earlier than their recreation even began on Sunday, due to the Jaguars’ loss to the Titans.
If the Payments win, they would be the No. 2 seed.
In the event that they lose, they would be the No. 7 seed.
Discover the entire Payments’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Very best consequence: #1 Bye
Worst: #1 Bye
Present: #1 Bye
Cleveland Browns (11-6)
Very best consequence: #5 Wild Card
Worst: #5 Wild Card
Present: #5 Wild Card
The Browns have clinched a playoff berth and the No. 5 seed. They’ll go to the No. 4 seed within the first spherical of the playoffs — the Jaguars or Texans.
Discover the entire Browns’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Very best consequence: #6 Wild Card
Worst: #7 Wild Card
Present: #7 Wild Card
The Steelers beat the Ravens on Saturday, and clinched a playoff berth on Sunday. They would be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed.
Discover the entire Steelers’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC South
Houston Texans (10-7)
Very best consequence: #4 Div. Champ
Worst: #4 Div. Champ
Present: #4 Div. Champ
The Texans beat the Colts on Saturday evening and gained the A.F.C. South after the Jaguars misplaced Sunday.
Discover the entire Texans’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC West
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (10-6)
Remaining recreation:
at Chargers (5-11)
Very best consequence: #3 Div. Champ
Worst: #3 Div. Champ
Present: #3 Div. Champ
The Chiefs have clinched a playoff berth and the No. 3 seed. Win or lose, they are going to host the No. 6 seed within the first spherical.
Discover the entire Chiefs’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.