NFL Playoff Picture Update: AFC Wild-Card Spot Still Up for Grabs

The 2024 NFL season is nearing its end, and the playoff picture is becoming clearer. In the AFC wild-card spot, the Los Angeles Chargers have secured a ticket to the postseason with a win over the New England Patriots on Saturday. However, the final spot remains unclaimed.

Currently, the top-seeded team in the AFC North, Baltimore Ravens, are favored to win their division. This means that Pittsburgh Steelers will likely secure a wild-card spot. The Broncos, Bengals, and Dolphins are competing for the last available wildcard spot. Denver Broncos remain the favorite to secure the 7th seed.

In the NFC, two teams are still vying for the top seed: the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Vikings’ win over the Packers on Sunday has eliminated them from the top-seed race. The winner of Monday’s game between the Lions and 49ers will take the NFC North title and the No.1 seed.

In the NFC South, the Falcons hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Buccaneers but may not matter in Week 18. The Buccaneers can clinch their division with a win or a loss from the Falcons.

With only two weeks left in the season, teams will soon be making personnel decisions and evaluating their coaching staffs. However, the 2025 NFL draft looms ahead. The bottom 18 teams’ chances to pick at No.1 and in the top five are projected as follows:

* Patriots: Favored to finish with the first selection
* Browns
* Titans
* Giants
* Jaguars
* Panthers
* Jets
* Bears
* Raiders
* Saints
* Colts
* Cowboys
* 49ers
* Cardinals
* Bengals
* Dolphins
* Falcons
* Seahawks

Source: https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/42737184/2024-nfl-playoff-picture-live-updated-chances-clinch-bracket-projections-scenarios