The Detroit Lions are staying home for the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers are in the postseason and only one spot remains open in the NFC.
A dismal performance in a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day eliminated the Lions (8-8) and allowed the Packers (9-5-1) to clinch at least a wild-card berth.
The Packers join the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles (10-5), Seattle Seahawks (12-3), Chicago Bears (11-4), San Francisco 49ers (11-4) and Los Angeles Rams (11-4). The Carolina Panthers (8-7) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) are battling for the final NFC playoff spot.
The Denver Broncos’ 20-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night moved the Broncos (13-3) closer to securing the AFC West and the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The New England Patriots (12-3), Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4), Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) and Buffalo Bills (11-4) also have clinched playoff spots. The Houston Texans (10-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6), Indianapolis Colts (8-7) and Baltimore Ravens (7-8) are fighting for the last two AFC spots.
The opening game of the NFL’s holiday tripleheader had no impact on the playoffs. Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 30-23.
With 10 days remaining in the regular season, only the Eagles have locked up a division title. Eleven of the 14 playoff spots have been secured, and six teams are in the race for the last three.
Here’s an updated playoff picture:
AFC East
The Patriots clinch with a win over the New York Jets and a loss or tie by the Bills, or a tie against the Jets and a loss by the Bills.
The Bills would clinch with victories over the Eagles and Jets and a Patriots loss to either the Jets or Miami Dolphins.
AFC North
The Steelers clinch with a win or tie against the Cleveland Browns or if the Ravens lose or tie against the Packers on Saturday night.
The Ravens would clinch if the Steelers lose to the Browns and they beat the Packers and Steelers in the final two games.
AFC South
The Jaguars clinch with a win over the Colts and a loss or tie by the Texans, or a tie against the Colts and a loss by the Texans.
The Texans need a win or tie over the Chargers or a loss or tie by the Colts to clinch a playoff spot. The Texans can win the division with victories over the Chargers and Colts and one loss by the Jaguars against the Colts or Tennessee Titans.
The Colts can’t win the division. They need the Texans to lose to the Chargers on Saturday to stay alive. Then they have to beat the Jaguars on Sunday and the Texans next week to earn a wild-card spot.
AFC West
The Broncos clinch if the Chargers lose or tie against the Texans. They also can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed this weekend if the Jaguars, Chargers and Bills lose or tie and the Patriots lose.
NFC East
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team in two decades to win this division in consecutive seasons. They’ll be the NFC’s No. 2, 3 or 4 seed.
NFC North
The Bears clinch with a win over the 49ers, a loss by the Packers or if both teams tie.
The Packers have to win their final two games against the Ravens and Vikings and the Bears would have go 0-2 or 0-1-1 for Green Bay to win the division.
NFC South
The Panthers clinch with a win over the Seahawks and a loss or tie by the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers clinch with victories over the Dolphins and Panthers in the final two games.
NFC West
The Seahawks clinch the division with a victory over the Panthers and a loss or tie by both the Rams and 49ers, or a tie against the Panthers and losses by the Rams and 49ers.
The 49ers would clinch the division and the No. 1 seed if they beat the Bears and Seahawks in their final two games at home.
The Rams still have a path to the division crown but must finish with a better record than both the Seahawks and 49ers.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/26/nfl-playoff-picture-week-17/
