Which teams have secured an NFL playoff spot, and which have been eliminated?
The NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape as the field narrows and the number of contenders for the remaining spots shrinks.
Week 13 of the 2024 season saw two AFC juggernauts secure their playoff berths.
The Kansas City Chiefs, defending Super Bowl champions, edged out a thrilling victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday to clinch their 10th consecutive postseason appearance, one shy of the New England Patriots’ record streak from 2009 to 2019. This marks the Chiefs’ first step toward a historic three-peat.
The Buffalo Bills soon followed, punching their playoff ticket with a commanding win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. The victory not only secured a postseason spot but also clinched the Bills’ fifth straight AFC East title.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions became the first team to clinch a playoff berth after a nail-biting 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night to open Week 14. The Philadelphia Eagles soon joined them after a 22-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals’ 30-18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets’ playoff hopes were dashed, joining the Patriots, Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Giants in officially being eliminated from contention.
With the playoff field tightening and fewer spots left to fight for, here’s what you need to know:
How many teams make the NFL playoffs?
A total of 14 teams—seven from each conference—earn a spot in the NFL playoffs.
How Many NFL Wild-Card Teams Are There?
Each conference’s playoff field features four division winners and three wild-card teams.
Who’s Going to the NFL Playoffs?
As of now, the following teams have secured playoff spots in each conference:
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Buffalo Bills (AFC East champions)
NFC
- Detroit Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles
Who’s Been Eliminated from the NFL Playoffs?
The following teams have officially been eliminated from playoff contention:
AFC
- New England Patriots
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
NFC
- New York Giants
How Many Teams Get a Bye in the NFL Playoffs?
Only the top seed in each conference receives a bye to the Divisional Round.
How Do the NFL Playoffs Work?
Teams are seeded No. 1 through No. 7 in each conference. The four division winners are ranked by regular-season record, followed by the three wild-card teams.
The opening round matchups are as follows:
- No. 2 vs. No. 7
- No. 3 vs. No. 6
- No. 4 vs. No. 5
Do the NFL Playoffs Reseed?
Yes, the playoffs are reseeded. This means the top seed in each conference will face the lowest-seeded team in the next round.
When Does the 2024 NFL Regular Season End?
The regular season wraps up with Week 18 on Sunday, January 5.
When Do the NFL Playoffs Start?
The postseason begins with Super Wild Card Weekend, from Saturday, January 11 to Monday, January 13.
What is the NFL Playoff Schedule?
The Divisional Round takes place from Saturday, January 18 to Sunday, January 19. The AFC and NFC Championship Games will be held on Sunday, January 26.
When is the 2025 Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LIX is scheduled for Sunday, February 9.
Where is the 2025 Super Bowl Being Played?
The game will be hosted at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, home of the Saints.
This article originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Source: https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/which-teams-have-made-the-nfl-playoffs-so-far-and-whos-been-eliminated/
