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NFL playoff picture 2017: Standings, scenarios, who's in, who's out

The final playoff picture is set with 12 teams headed to the postseason.

By Christian D'Andrea Updated
Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

This is it. Week 17, the last week of the regular season. And with the Packers’ win over the Lions we now know the complete, finalized playoff standings. Green Bay’s victory gives the Packers the NFC North title and the fourth seed in the NFC. But first, let’s digest the AFC playoff picture and standings.

During the 1 p.m. slate, the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins to lock down the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. They’ll have a bye next week and then get to play at home in the divisional round and the conference championship, if they make it that far.

The Dolphins’ loss gives them the sixth seed.

The Steelers locked up the AFC North and the No. 3 seed with a victory over the Ravens in Week 16. Houston clinched the AFC South and the No. 4 with a win over the Bengals last week as well.

The Chiefs clinched the AFC West title and a first-round bye with a win over the Chargers and a Raiders loss to the Broncos.

The Steelers will host the Dolphins and the Raiders will travel to Houston for the AFC’s two wild card games next weekend.

(Here’s a quick primer on tiebreakers for the playoff standings, just in case you need a refresher.)

AFC

  1. New England Patriots (14-2)**
  2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)**
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)**
  4. Houston Texans (9-7)**
  5. Oakland Raiders (12-4)*
  6. Miami Dolphins (10-6)*

*clinched a playoff berth
**clinched a division title

In the NFC, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East title last week, also securing home-field advantage for Dallas. There was nothing at stake, and the Cowboys rested some of their starters and lost to the Eagles in Week 17.

The Lions’ NFC North hopes came down to the Week 17 matchup with the Packers at Ford Field. They lost, but they will get a wild card berth. As the sixth seed, the Lions will have to travel to Seattle next weekend.

The Packers, winners of the NFC North, will host the Giants on Wild Card Weekend.

The Giants were also guaranteed the fifth spot in the NFC. However, they let their starters play against Washington, which could have clinched a spot by beating the Giants. Instead, Washington was eliminated with the loss.

Atlanta already owned the NFC South title, but the Falcons also clinched home-field advantage with a win over the New Orleans Saints.

The Seattle Seahawks beat the 49ers, surprise. They finish the season with a 10-5-1 record that gives them the third seed in the playoffs and a chance to host the Lions in the playoffs.

The Bucs were officially eliminated with Dallas’ loss.

NFC

  1. Dallas Cowboys (13-3)**
  2. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)**
  3. Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1)**
  4. Green Bay Packers (10-6)**
  5. New York Giants (11-5)*
  6. Detroit Lions (9-7)*

*clinched a playoff berth
**clinched a division title

Don’t make Bill Belichick angry

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