Week 15 saw plenty of surprising results, including the Buffalo Bills trouncing the Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks pulling the upset over the Philadelphia Eagles with Drew Lock under center. Buffalo and Seattle kept their postseason hopes alive, while both Philadelphia and Dallas failed to take a commanding lead in the NFC East.
The playoff picture is taking shape heading into Week 16, but only four teams have clinched a spot in the postseason thus far. There is still plenty of drama to unfold, but let's take a look at the current standings ahead of Week 16 action.
As a reminder, seven teams from each conference will qualify for the postseason. The top seeds in each conference will earn a first-round bye, while the three other division winners in each conference will host a playoff game in the Wild Card Round. Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sitting at 7-7, they are currently ahead of the 10-4 Eagles due to the NFL's playoff format. Without further ado, let's dive into the standings.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 16 AFC - NFL Playoff Picture
1. Baltimore Ravens: 11-3 (1st in AFC North) - Clinched Playoff Berth
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at SF
2. Miami Dolphins: 10-4 (1st in AFC East)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: vs. DAL
3. Kansas City Chiefs: 9-5 (1st in AFC West)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: vs. LV
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-6 (1st in AFC South)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: at TB
5. Cleveland Browns: 9-5 (2nd in AFC North)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at HOU
6. Cincinnati Bengals: 8-6 (3rd in AFC North)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at PIT
7. Indianapolis Colts: 8-6 (2nd in AFC South)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at ATL
MINSHEW MAGIC 🪄
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vc3a97NmUT
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 16, 2023
AFC Teams In The Hunt for NFL Playoffs
8. Houston Texans: 8-6 (3rd in AFC South)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: vs. CLE
9. Buffalo Bills: 8-6 (2nd in AFC East)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at LAC
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-7 (4th in AFC North)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. CIN
11. Denver Broncos: 7-7 (2nd in AFC West)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. NE
12. Las Vegas Raiders: 6-8 (3rd AFC West)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at KC
13. Los Angeles Chargers: 5-9 (4th in AFC West)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. BUF
we have parted ways with Head Coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023
Week 16 NFC - NFL Playoff Picture
1. San Francisco 49ers: 11-3 (1st in NFC West) - Clinched Playoff Berth
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: vs. BAL
2. Dallas Cowboys: 10-4 (1st in NFC East) - Clinched Playoff Berth
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: at MIA
3. Detroit Lions: 10-4 (1st in NFC North)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at MIN
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7 (1st in NFC South)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: vs. JAX
5. Philadelphia Eagles: 10-4 (2nd in NFC East) - Clinched Playoff Berth
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. NYG
6. Minnesota Vikings: 7-7 (2nd in NFC North)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. DET
7. Los Angeles Rams: 7-7 (2nd in NFC West)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: vs. NO
imagine letting Cooper Kupp get this open 🤯
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/j3bMYMzHU7
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 17, 2023
NFC Teams In The Hunt for NFL Playoffs
8. Seattle Seahawks: 7-7 (3rd in NFC West)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at TEN
9. New Orleans Saints: 7-7 (2nd in NFC South)
Week 15 Result: W
Week 16 Opponent: at LAR
10. Atlanta Falcons: 6-8 (3rd in NFC South)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. IND
11. Green Bay Packers: 6-8 (3rd in NFC North)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: at CAR
12. New York Giants: 5-9 (3rd in NFC East)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: at PHI
13. Chicago Bears: 5-9 (4th in NFC North)
Week 15 Result: L
Week 16 Opponent: vs. ARI
oh my gosh Mooney had it pic.twitter.com/tycNErtCCa
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) December 17, 2023
Eliminated Teams from NFL Playoffs
- Arizona Cardinals
- Carolina Panthers
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Tennessee Titans
- Washington Commanders
NFL Playoffs Tiebreaking Procedures
- Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
- Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
- Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
- Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
- Strength of victory in all games.
- Strength of schedule in all games
- Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
- Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
- Best net points in common games.
- Best net points in all games.
- Best net touchdowns in all games.
- Coin toss
More Fantasy Football Analysis