With two weeks left in the NFL’s regular season, the 32-team league has been divided into three classes.
Twelve teams have already claimed playoff berths — the Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Chargers, Texans and Bills in the AFC, and the Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, 49ers, Packers and Rams in the NFC.
Sixteen other teams already know they won’t be making the postseason.
Where does that leave the playoff field entering Sunday? Two unclaimed playoff spots remain — one each in the NFC and AFC.
We got here after five combined games played on Christmas and Saturday winnowed down the playoff hopefuls. Minnesota’s win on Christmas in an all-NFC North division tilt against Detroit clinched a playoff berth for Green Bay. Then on Saturday, Houston clinched its berth by beating the Chargers — and in the process eliminated Indianapolis from the postseason.
In the AFC, the final spot comes down to Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Baltimore’s win over Green Bay on Saturday staved of postseason elimination — but for potentially just one day. If Pittsburgh wins Sunday, it will clinch the AFC North division title and eliminate the Ravens.
In the NFC, Carolina and Tampa are fighting it out for the last berth. Carolina can win the NFC South and earn its first playoff berth since 2017, but that will require a Panthers win or tie Sunday and a loss by Tampa Bay.
What else we’re watching in Week 17
Patriots (12-3) at Jets (3-12): The Patriots are already in the playoffs but can win their first AFC East title since 2019 with a combination of beating the Jets and having Buffalo lose to Philadelphia.
Jaguars (11-4) at Colts (8-7): Trevor Lawrence’s four-game streak without a turnover is the longest of his career. In a lost season, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor could still have a superlative accomplishment if he keeps up his touchdown pace; his 19 touchdowns from scrimmage lead the NFL.
Cardinals (3-12) at Bengals (5-10): It’s the fourth straight season without the playoffs for Arizona, and the third straight season missing them for Cincinnati.
Steelers (9-6) at Browns (3-12): Sack-record watch remains on for Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, who has 22.0 and is one shy of setting the single-season record.
Saints (5-10) at Titans (3-12): The Titans won last week, for their first home win this season, but they are 0-11 in their last 11 games following a win.
Buccaneers (7-8) at Dolphins (6-9): How bad is the NFC South? Even after losing six of their last seven games the Bucs still control their path to a division title if they win out.
Seahawks (12-3) at Panthers (8-7): The Seahawks can win the NFC West in a three-step process. Seattle would have to win, and the Rams and 49ers would both need to lose this week, as well.
Giants (2-13) at Raiders (2-13): Whoever loses this game will have a better chance of earning the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Perhaps relatedly, Las Vegas has already decided to shut down standout defender Maxx Crosby (knee) the rest of the season.
Eagles (10-5) at Bills (11-4): Buffalo’s James Cook has rushed for a league-high 1,532 yards. He has five touchdowns during his team’s four-game win streak. Buffalo is 6-1 at home.
Bears (11-4) at 49ers (11-4): The Packers’ loss Saturday also guaranteed that rival Chicago is the NFC North division champion. If the Bears win their last two games, and Seattle loses once, Chicago will earn the NFC’s No. 1 overall seed, and the all-important bye to avoid the wild-card round.
Rams (11-4) at Falcons (6-9) on Monday: Matthew Stafford’s league-leading 40 touchdown passes is one away from tying his career high set in both 2011 and 2021. The Falcons have won two straight.
