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 probabilities to your staff 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 staff. They listing all of the methods a staff could make the playoffs — or be eradicated from them. The tree diagrams begin with a given staff after which listing 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 situation.
One observe: 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 staff’s playoff path.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Remaining sport:
at Commanders (4-12)
Very best end result: #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’ll 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’ll 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 all the Cowboys’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Remaining sport:
at Giants (5-11)
Very best end result: #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 doubtless. They face the Giants (5-11) subsequent.
If the Eagles win, they’ll win the division if the Cowboys lose. In any other case they’ll be the No. 5 seed, visiting the No. 4 seed — in all probability the Buccaneers.
In the event that they lose, they would be the No. 5 seed.
Discover all the Eagles’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
NFC North
Detroit Lions (12-5)
Very best end result: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #3 Div. Champ
Present: #2 Div. Champ
The Lions have received the N.F.C. North for the primary time in 30 years and can very doubtless 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 all the Lions’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-8)
Remaining sport:
Bears (7-9)
Very best end result: #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 way more difficult; our simulator offers them a couple of 1-in-4 probability of constructing the playoffs with a loss. They might be eradicated if the Vikings beat the Lions or if the Seahawks beat the Cardinals.
Discover all the Packers’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Bucs (9-8)
Very best end result: #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 may host the No. 5 seed.
Discover all the Bucs’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
New Orleans Saints (9-8)
Very best end result: #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 all the Saints’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Remaining sport:
Rams (9-7)
Very best end result: #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 sport could have no impact on the 49ers’ playoff standing.
Discover all the 49ers’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Los Angeles Rams (9-7)
Remaining sport:
at 49ers (12-4)
Very best end result: #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 — in all probability the Lions.
In the event that they lose, they’ll drop to the No. 7 seed if the Packers beat the Bears.
Discover all the Rams’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Remaining sport:
at Cardinals (4-12)
Very best end result: #7 Wild Card
Worst: Out
Present: Out
The Seahawks want two outcomes to go their means.
In the event that they win, they’ll make the playoffs if the Bears beat the Packers. They might be the No. 7 seed, visiting the No. 2 seed — in all probability the Cowboys.
In the event that they lose, they’re eradicated.
Discover all the Seahawks’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC East
Miami Dolphins (11-5)
Remaining sport:
Payments (10-6)
Very best end result: #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’ll win the division and host the No. 7 staff (in all probability 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 all the Dolphins’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Buffalo Payments (10-6)
Remaining sport:
at Dolphins (11-5)
Very best end result: #2 Div. Champ
Worst: #7 Wild Card
Present: #6 Wild Card
The Payments have received 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 sport 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 all the Payments’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Very best end result: #1 Bye
Worst: #1 Bye
Present: #1 Bye
Cleveland Browns (11-6)
Very best end result: #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 all the Browns’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Very best end result: #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 all the Steelers’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC South
Houston Texans (10-7)
Very best end result: #4 Div. Champ
Worst: #4 Div. Champ
Present: #4 Div. Champ
The Texans beat the Colts on Saturday evening and received the A.F.C. South after the Jaguars misplaced Sunday.
Discover all the Texans’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
AFC West
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (10-6)
Remaining sport:
at Chargers (5-11)
Very best end result: #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’ll host the No. 6 seed within the first spherical.
Discover all the Chiefs’ playoff eventualities in our simulator.
