The first 16 weeks of the 2024 NFL season have drawn to a close with only two weeks of football remaining before the playoffs. We’ve already seen nine playoff spots locked up and the NFL playoff clinching scenarios for Week 17 could see even more secured along with home-field advantage.
We are examining all the NFL playoff clinching scenarios this week. From teams like the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, who can clinch a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, to clubs like the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos have shots to snap playoff droughts.
Related: Week 17 fantasy rankings
Because of the unique Week 17 NFL schedule, with games on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the NFL playoff picture will be changing a lot in the days to come. Bookmark this page for updates following all the action. Now let’s dive into the NFL playoff clinching scenarios for Week 17 along with the NFL playoff picture right now.
NFL playoff picture 2024
Here is the NFL playoff picture following Saturday’s first two games.
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs* – 14-1
- Buffalo Bills* – 12-3
- Baltimore Ravens* – 11-5
- Houston Texans* –9-6
- Pittsburgh Steelers* – 10-6 (WC)
- Los Angeles Chargers* – 10-6 (WC)
- Denver Broncos – 9-7 (WC)
NFC
- Detroit Lions* – 13-2
- Philadelphia Eagles* – 12-3
- Los Angeles Rams – 10 – 6
- Atlanta Falcons – 8-7
- Minnesota Vikings – 13-2 (WC)
- Green Bay Packers – 11-4 (WC)
- Washington Commanders – 10-5 (WC)
Related: NFL power rankings 2024
Who has clinched the NFL playoffs in 2024?
The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans have clinched playoff spots. The Texans and Bills clinched their divisions, guaranteeing home-field advantage in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs.
The Chiefs have clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Related: NFL defense rankings, evaluating all 32 defenses
NFL teams eliminated from playoffs
- New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New England Patriots
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Jets
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- San Francisco 49ers
- Arizona Cardinals
- New Orleans Saints
- Dallas Cowboys
Related: 2025 NFL Draft order
NFL Playoff matchups right now
AFC
- (7) Denver Broncos @ (2) Buffalo Bills
- (6) Los Angeles Chargers @ (3) Baltimore Ravens
- (5) Pittsburgh Steelers vs (4) Houston Texans
- BYE: (1) Kansas City Chiefs
NFC
- (7) Washington Commanders @ (2) Philadelphia Eagles
- (6) Green Bay Packers) @ (3) Los Angeles Rams
- (5) Minnesota Vikings @ (4) Atlanta Falcons
- BYE: (1) Detroit Lions
Related: NFL Week 17 predictions
NFL playoff clinching scenarios Week 17
Here are the NFL playoff clinching scenarios this week.
- Kansas City Chiefs – AFC’s No. 1 seed & first-round bye – CLINCHED
- Los Angeles Chargers – AFC playoff berth – CLINCHED
- Philadelphia Eagles – NFC East title – vs Dallas Cowboys
- Philadelphia Eagles win/tie
- Washington Commanders loss/tie vs Atlanta Falcons
- Detroit Lions – NFC’s No. 1 seed & first-round bye – @ San Francisco 49ers
- Detroit Lions win + Minnesota Vikings loss vs Green Bay Packers
- Los Angeles Rams – NFC West title – vs Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Rams win + 2.5 wins from Commanders, Vikings, 49ers, Bills, Browns
- Atlanta Falcons – NFC South title – @ Washington Commanders
- Atlanta Falcons win + Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss vs Carolina Panthers
- Washington Commanders – NFC playoff berth – vs Atlanta Falcons
- Washington Commanders win
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss/tie vs Carolina Panthers
Related: One move every NFL team should make this offseason
NFL playoff hunt right now
AFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Win % | Tiebreaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs | 15-1 | .938 | N/A |
| 2 | Bills | 12-3 | .800 | N/A |
| 3 | Ravens | 11-5 | .688 | N/A |
| 4 | Texans | 9-6 | .643 | N/A |
| 5* | Steelers | 10-6 | .625 | PIT beat LAC |
| 6* | Chargers | 10-6 | .600 | LAC beat DEN |
| 7* | Broncos | 9-7 | .562 | ^^ |
| Hunt | Bengals | 8-8 | .500 | N/A |
| Hunt | Colts | 7-8 | 467 | IND beat MIA |
| Hunt | Dolphins | 7-8 | .467 | ^^ |
Related: NFL QB rankings
NFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Win % | Tiebreaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lions | 13-2 | .867 | DET beat MIN |
| 2 | Eagles | 12-3 | .800 | ^^ |
| 3 | Rams | 10-6 | .625 | N/A |
| 4 | Falcons | 8-7 | .533 | ATL beat TB 2x |
| 5* | Vikings | 13-2 | .867 | N/A |
| 6* | Packers | 11-4 | .733 | N/A |
| 7* | Commanders | 10-5 | .667 | N/A |
| Hunt | Seahawks | 9-7 | .563 | N/A |
| Hunt | Buccaneers | 8-7 | .533 | ^^ |
Related: Highest-paid NFL players 2024
Who can clinch a playoff spot this week NFL?
The Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders can clinch playoff spots in Week 17. The Detroit Lions can clinch home-field advantage in the NFC and AFC this week.