The NFL play-off picture is almost complete
The NFL play-off picture is almost complete

NFL play-off picture: Latest play-off permutations, format & schedule for the road to the Super Bowl


There are just three play-off places left to fill but plenty still to play for as we look at how things stand and who needs what on the final week of NFL action.

It's between the Ravens and Steelers in the AFC North while the Colts and Titans actually play each other in a winner-takes-all clash in the AFC South in Week 17 this Sunday.

In the NFC it's between the Vikings and defending champion Eagles for the final wildcard spot, but there are plenty of other matters still to be decided..

As it stands (clinched in bold)

AFC: 1.Chiefs, 2.Patriots, 3.Texans, 4.Ravens, 5.Chargers, 6.Colts. (In the hunt: Titans, Steelers)

NFC: 1.Saints, 2.Rams, 3.Bears, 4.Cowboys, 5.Seahawks, 6.Vikings. (In the hunt: Eagles)

Play-off format

Wildcard weekend (Jan 5/6): 6th seed @ 3rd seed, 5th seed @ 4th seed, Seeds 1/2 on a bye

Divisional round (Jan 12/13): Lowest seed @ 1st seed, highest seed @ 2nd seed

Conference Championships (Jan 20): Lowest remaining seed @ highest remaining seed


AFC

1 Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)

The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate in the NFL
The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate in the NFL

To play: Raiders (H)

They’ve had a few wobbles but a home tilt with the woeful Raiders should give them the win they need to tie up top seed, a first week bye and home field advantage throughout the post-season. That’s huge given the advantage they enjoy at Arrowhead.

It’s still a must-win game though as a defeat and a win by the Chargers would drop KC down to a wildcard spot and a tough road trip most likely to Baltimore – that’s a quite a difference from a week off!

2 New England Patriots (10-5)

To play: NY Jets (H)

Somehow the Patriots have found their way back in first-round bye territory and beating the Jets will secure that status. They could yet bag top spot with defeats for the Chiefs and Chargers while they could also lose it with a loss and Texans victory so they’ll have to make sure of the win to avoid playing on wildcard weekend for the first time in a decade.

3 Houston Texans (10-5)

To play: Jaguars (H)

Houston are in but need a win to secure the AFC South title and can still bag a first round bye with a Patriots loss. Top seed is still technically available but it’d need the Pats, Chargers and Chiefs all to lose. A defeat would put them into a wildcard slot to be replaced by the Colts or Titans.

4 Baltimore Ravens (9-6)

To play: Browns (H)

Baltimore’s top defence has dragged them into control of the AFC North with a win over Cleveland securing their spot and dumping out Pittsburgh barring a minor miracle.

5 LA Chargers (11-4)

To play: Broncos (A)

Despite the joint-best record in the AFC it looks like a wildcard is the best LA can do as they’ll need a win in Denver and an upset loss for the Chiefs to pinch that division. In all likelihood they’ll face a trip to Baltimore – who stifled them in LA just last week.

6 Indianapolis Colts (9-6)

To play: Titans (A)

It’s a winner-takes-all scenario for the Colts after a remarkable comeback against the Giants last week. A win at Tennessee would put them in the play-offs either as a wild card or as AFC South champs (if Houston lose)

In the hunt...

Tennessee Titans (9-6)

To play: Colts (H)

It’s the identical scenario to the Colts only the Titans will have their home crowd behind them for what is an early start to play-off football in the NFL this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6-1)

To play: Bengals (H)

Cruising at the top of the AFC North for a while, the Steelers have managed to blow it and now need a helping hand from Cleveland, of all teams, to help them out. They need the Browns to win in Baltimore and a win against the Bengals to reclaim the divisional title.


NFC

1 New Orleans Saints (13-2)

Mark Ingram celebrates with the New Orleans Saints fans
Mark Ingram celebrates with the New Orleans Saints fans

To play: Panthers (H)

The Saints are locked in as top dogs in the NFC so the road to the Super Bowl will go through New Orleans – and the Superdome is some home advantage to have in the play-offs. They finished in this position when winning Super Bowl XLIV and Drew Brees & Sean Payton are 5-0 in home play-off games. They can afford to rest players in Week 17 if they see fit.

2 LA Rams (12-3)

To play: 49ers (H)

The Rams have largely been great all season but with the Bears breathing down their necks they still need to beat San Francisco to ensure a first round bye, or see Chicago lose to Minnesota.

3 Chicago Beas (11-4)

To play: Vikings (A)

The Bears have muscled their way into third spot at the very least – and they can move up into number two with a win at the Vikings and a Rams loss against the Niners.

4 Dallas Cowboys (9-6)

To play: Giants (A)

The Cowboys are cemented in fourth spot and will host the fifth seed, most likely Seattle, in the first round of the play-offs. They may opt to rest some of their stars, or limit their workload at least, against the Giants.

5 Seattle Seahawks (9-6)

To play: Cardinals (H)

It’s only a matter of where the Seahawks will finish as they’ve already booked their play-off place. A win secures fifth and a probable trip to Dallas while a loss coupled with a Vikings victory most likely sends them to Chicago as sixth seeds. Pete Carroll may decide to roll the dice and rest some players to prepare for a tough road trip regardless.

6 Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1)

To play: Bears (H)

The Vikings need a win against Chicago to seal their play-off place, and it could well earn them a quick rematch against the Bears, this time in Chicago, on wildcard weekend! A loss for Philadelphia would also see them qualify.

In the hunt

Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)

To play: Washington (A)

The defending champions have been handing by a thread for weeks but arrive on the final Sunday still in with a chance of extending their reign. They need to beat the banged-up Redskins in Washington and Minnesota to lose to Chicago to make it though.

The Sky Bet touchdown treble for Sunday's NFL games
The Sky Bet touchdown treble for Sunday's NFL games

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