Multi-team playoff fight as NFL season nears end

With two weeks remaining in the NFL season, only eight teams have been eliminated from the playoff race.

Eleven teams have clinched a playoff berth, including four division titles, leaving five spots open. Both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs with four NFC teams and three AFC teams vying for a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Houston, Chicago, Arizona, Denver, Indianapolis, Atlanta, the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland are out of the playoff picture. Only one game this week — Arizona at Atlanta — has no playoff ramifications.

Tampa Bay (7-8) and Carolina (6-9) are playing for the NFC South. The Bucs would clinch with a win. A loss means they would need to win their final game at Atlanta and the Panthers would have to lose at New Orleans in Week 18.

“Our playoff games started last Sunday when we won, so this Sunday will be the same,” Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said.

The same goes for several teams.

NFC

The NFC East has a chance to send four teams to the playoffs. The Eagles (13-2) would clinch the division and the No. 1 seed with a win over New Orleans (6-9) on Sunday or a victory next week against the New York Giants (8-6-1).

Dallas (12-4) needs the Eagles to lose out and has to beat Washington (7-7-1) to win the division. Otherwise, the Cowboys will get the fifth seed and play a wildcard game on the road against the NFC South champion.

The Giants can clinch their first playoff berth since 2016 with a win over the Colts. There are several scenarios in which they could get in this week without a win but beating Indianapolis is the simplest one.

The Commanders can clinch by winning the final two games. Or, Washington gets in this week with a win over Cleveland and losses by Seattle, Detroit and Green Bay.

The NFC South champ will be Tampa Bay, Carolina or New Orleans. Only the Buccaneers can win the division this weekend.

The Vikings (12-3) already secured the NFC North. They still have a shot at the No. 1 seed if the Eagles lose out. Minnesota visits the Packers (7-8) on Sunday.

The Lions (7-8) have overcome a 1-6 start to be in position in which they would have a chance to make the playoffs with wins over the Bears and Packers and some help — one loss for both the Commanders and Seahawks.

The Packers have rebounded from a 4-8 start to set themselves up for a chance, too. They need to beat the Vikings and Lions and have the Commanders lose to either the Browns or Cowboys.

AFC

The Bills (12-3) won the AFC East and hold the No. 1 seed but they could finish as low as the third seed if they lose to the Bengals.

The Dolphins (8-6) and Patriots (7-8) meet Sunday with both teams fighting for a wild-card spot. The Dolphins, minus quarterback Tua Tagovailoa because of concussion symptoms, would clinch with a win and loss or tie by the Jets.

The Patriots get in if they beat the Dolphins and Bills. The Jets are in with two wins and one loss by the Patriots.

The AFC South will be decided in Week 18 when the Titans (7-9) visit Jacksonville (7-8).

The Bengals (11-4) lead the AFC North by one game over the Ravens (10-5) and have a shot at the No. 1 seed if they beat the Bills and Baltimore and Kansas City (12-3) loses one game.

The Ravens already locked up a wild-card spot and would secure the division title with wins over Pittsburgh (7-8) and Bengals. The Steelers have to win out and get plenty of help.

The AFC West-champion Chiefs are in line for the No. 1 seed if Buffalo loses one and they win out.

The Chargers (9-6) secured a wild-card spot and are a game behind the Ravens for the fifth seed.