NFL 2022 playoff picture, standings: Chargers clinch berth by beating Colts,
The NFL playoff races are going down to the wire as we work through the Week 16 slate. The race for home-field advantage will be a good one between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, with the Cincinnati Bengals having an outside shot heading into next week’s showdown with the Bills.
The Baltimore Ravens are back in the playoffs after their win Saturday — holding serve with the Bengals in the race for the AFC North — while the Los Angeles Chargers will also be in the postseason after handling the Colts on Monday night. The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the AFC South lead with two games to play — thanks to the Tennessee Titans continuing their free fall.
The NFC wild card race seems to be coming down to the wire as all of the teams vying for the two spots lost on Saturday, opening the door for the Packers. The New York Giants and Washington Commanders currently hold the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds in the playoff race.
Two weeks remain until the playoffs. Below, you can find a division-by-division breakdown of the current standings and what each contender is facing on their schedule the rest of the way.
AFC East
y-clinched division title
Buffalo Bills
What to know: The Bills locked up the AFC East title with Saturday’s win over the Bears, and still hold the No. 1 seed in the conference with the head-to-head tiebreaker on the Chiefs. They clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and Chiefs loss next week.
Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Patriots
Miami Dolphins
What to know: Miami is the No. 7 seed in the AFC and holds a one-game lead over New York, New England and Pittsburgh for the final playoff spot in the conference.
Remaining schedule: at Patriots, vs. Jets
New England Patriots
What to know: The Patriots’ playoff chances are dimming with their loss to the Bengals. They are one of four teams tied at 7-8, but hold the conference-record tiebreaker over the Titans and Steelers. They hold the division tiebreaker by sweeping the Jets.
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Bills
New York Jets
What to know: The Jets are the No. 9 seed in the playoffs, losing the division-record tiebreaker to the Patriots. They hold the better win percentage in common games against the Titans and a conference-record tiebreaker over the Steelers.
Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, at Dolphins
AFC North
|
x-Bengals |
11 |
4 |
0 |
.733 |
85 |
|
x-Ravens |
10 |
5 |
0 |
.667 |
49 |
|
Steelers |
7 |
8 |
0 |
.466 |
-55 |
|
e-Browns |
6 |
9 |
0 |
.400 |
-20 |
x- clinched playoff spot
e- eliminated from playoffs
Cincinnati Bengals
What to know: The Bengals hold on to their AFC North lead with a win over the Patriots. Cincinnati is the No. 3 seed in the conference, needing a win over Buffalo to have a shot at home-field advantage.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, vs. Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Falcons on Saturday and currently are the No. 5 seed in the AFC standings. Baltimore has the head-to-head tiebreaker over Cincinnati.
Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers
What to know: The Steelers keep their playoff hopes alive with their win over the Raiders. Pittsburgh is the No. 11 seed in the AFC, losing the conference-record tiebreaker to the Patriots, Jets, and Titans.
Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Browns
Cleveland Browns
What to know: The Browns have been eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Saints.
Remaining schedule: at Commanders, at Steelers
AFC South
|
Jaguars |
7 |
8 |
0 |
.467 |
+22 |
|
Titans |
7 |
8 |
0 |
.467 |
-43 |
|
e-Colts |
4 |
10 |
1 |
.321 |
-109 |
|
e- Texans |
2 |
12 |
1 |
.167 |
-104 |
e – eliminated from playoffs
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: The Jaguars take over first place in the AFC South with their win over the Jets and the Titans’ loss to the Texans. Regardless of their Week 17 result, Jacksonville will play for the division title in Week 18 when they play host to the Titans.
Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Titans
Tennessee Titans
What to know: The Titans fell out of the No. 7 seed and into the No. 10 seed in the AFC with their loss to the Texans. Tennessee loses a conference-record tiebreaker to the Patriots, and a common-record tiebreaker to the Jets. They win the conference-record tiebreaker over the Steelers.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys, at Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts
What to know: The Colts are eliminated from the playoffs and lost to the Chargers on Monday night.
Remaining schedule: at Giants, vs. Texans
Houston Texans
What to know: The Texans are eliminated from playoff contention and have the worst record in the NFL. They beat the Titans for their second win of the year.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Colts
AFC West
y- clinched division title
e – eliminated from playoffs
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs are still the No. 2 seed in the AFC as the Bills own the head-to-head tiebreaker for the top spot in the conference. They’ll get the top seed if they finish 2-0 and the Bills finish 1-1.
Remaining schedule: vs….
Read More: NFL 2022 playoff picture, standings: Chargers clinch berth by beating Colts,