NFL Playoff Scenarios 2024: Reviewing Post-Week 16 AFC, NFC Picture, Bracket

NFL Playoff Scenarios 2024: Reviewing Post-Week 16 AFC, NFC Picture, Bracket0 of 4

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Week 16 in the NFL brought further clarity to the upcoming playoffs while ensuring there are still plenty of teams vying for the hotly contested wildcards.

The Detroit Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell and resilient quarterback Jared Goff, clinched their first NFC North title since 1993 in a hard-fought win over the Minnesota Vikings, while the Miami Dolphins ensured their spot in the playoffs by knocking off the Dallas Cowboys late.

The AFC wildcard picture remains jam-packed with four teams tied at 8-7 and chasing the last spot.

Following Sunday’s slate of games, find out who sits where and what the wild card round bracket would look like if the playoffs started today, with this updated look at the postseason picture.

NFC East Poised to Go Down to the Wire4 of 4

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The Philadelphia Eagles have lost three straight. The Dallas Cowboys have dropped two.

In doing so, the top two teams in the NFC East have essentially ensured that the division will go down to the wire, with the winner likely not determined until Week 17.

The Cowboys dropped a heartbreaker of a game Sunday night to Miami, losing in the final seconds of the game to a Dolphins field goal. The defense was stellar, keeping stud receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle under 100 yards and holding running back Raheem Mostert to 46 yards on 11 carries.

Dak Prescott played mistake free and the only team turnover came on the first play of the game, when rookie fullback Hunter Luepke fumbled at the goal line on the opening drive.

It was a game that Dallas should have won and now, if the playoffs started today, they would be forced to go on the road and play in the wildcard round.

The Eagles play Monday against the New York Giants, a game they should win but considering their lackluster defense of late and a losing streak that caused starting quarterback Jalen Hurts to question the team’s commitment, there is no such thing as a given.

The defending NFC champs play the Giants twice over the next three weeks and the Cardinals in between, a very winnable schedule.

The Cowboys battle the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders to wrap up the regular season.