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Both the NFC and AFC feature tight postseason races as the NFL playoff picture offers plenty of intrigue with just over a week remaining in the regular season. Fans were treated to a full day of early football with three Week 16 games taking place on Saturday.
The Houston Texans clinched the AFC South with their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to start the action. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots continued their streak of being AFC East champions with their win over the Buffalo Bills. New England is still fighting with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs for one of the top two seeds.
San Francisco took back the No. 1 seed with their win over Los Angeles, but may lose it depending on how things play out in the NFC for the rest of Week 16. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Vikings and eliminated the Rams from contention. All signs point to the 49ers and Seahawks squaring off in Week 17 for the NFC West title.
The Cowboys-Eagles Headlined the Week 16 NFL Slate
The Cowboys could have clinched the NFC East with a win over the Eagles. Philadelphia’s 17-9 victory means the Cowboys remain in postseason contention but will not be able to secure a playoff spot until Week 17 even with a victory. They now need to defeat the Washington Redskins and for the New York Giants to knock off Philly.
One of the interesting results of Saturday’s action is the Saints-Titans game became a lot less important for Tennessee. The Titans now must make the playoffs as a Wild Card team and the outcome of the game did little for their postseason standing. It is still important for the Saints who are fighting for one of the top NFC seeds.
Here is a look at the NFL playoff picture in the AFC and NFC. We will be updating this page after the late-afternoon games are completed.
NFC Playoff Standings
Teams with an asterisk have already clinched a playoff spot. Teams in bold would make the playoffs if the postseason started today.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| 1. 49ers* | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 2. Saints* | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 3. Packers* | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| 4. Eagles | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 5. Seahawks* | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| 6. Vikings* | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| 7. Rams | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 8. Bears | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| 9. Cowboys | 7 | 8 | 0 |
NFC Playoff Matchups
Here are the current NFC playoff matchups if the postseason started today. The top two seeds get a first-round bye and host a playoff game in the Divisional Round.
No. 6 Minnesota Vikings vs. No. 3 Green Bay Packers
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks vs. No. 4 Philadelphia Eagles
Bye: No. 1 San Francisco 49ers, No. 2 New Orleans Saints
NFC Wild Card Standings
The top two teams in the Wild Card standings will claim a playoff spot. Teams in bold would make the playoffs if the postseason started today.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| 1. Seahawks* | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| 2. Vikings* | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| 3. Rams | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 4. Bears | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| 5. Cowboys | 7 | 8 | 0 |
NFC Teams in the Hunt
The following teams have not been eliminated from playoff contention after Week 16.
Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
AFC Playoff Standings
The Ravens have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Teams with an asterisk have already clinched a playoff spot. Teams in bold would make the postseason if the playoffs started today. The top two seeds get a first-round bye and host a playoff game in the Divisional Round.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| 1. Ravens* | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 2. Patriots* | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 3. Chiefs* | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| 4. Texans* | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| 5. Bills* | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| 6. Titans | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 7. Steelers | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 8. Colts | 7 | 8 | 0 |
AFC Playoff Matchups
Here is a look at the current AFC playoff matchups.
No. 6 Tennessee Titans vs. No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs
No. 5 Buffalo Bills vs. No. 4 Houston Texans
Bye: No. 1 Baltimore Ravens & No. 2 New England Patriots
AFC Wild Card Standings
The top two teams in the Wild Card standings will claim a playoff spot. Teams in bold would make the playoffs if the postseason started today.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| 1. Bills* | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| 2. Titans | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 3. Steelers | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 4. Colts | 7 | 8 | 0 |
AFC Teams in the Hunt
The following teams have not been eliminated from playoff contention after Week 16.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
Oakland Raiders
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