The field for the NFL playoffs is getting closer to being set.
Entering Monday Night Football in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL regular season, 12 of the 14 total postseason berths have been clinched. That includes six of the playoff spots in both the AFC and NFC.
And there's an even larger number of teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention. Seven squads from the AFC and eight from the NFC have seen their postseason hopes officially put to bed.
So, which teams are bound for the playoffs? And who's still in contention?
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As the playoff picture becomes clearer -- and the races for remaining postseason spots become smaller -- over the final two weeks of the regular season, here's what to know:
How many NFL teams go the playoffs?
A total of 14 teams -- seven from each conference -- make the NFL playoffs.
NFL
How many NFL wild-card teams are there?
The playoff field consists of four division winners and three wild-card teams in each conference. The division winners in each conference are seeded No. 1 through No. 4, followed by the three wild cards at No. 5 through No. 7.
Who is in the NFL playoffs?
Here are the teams that have qualified for the playoffs so far:
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs, 15-1 (AFC West champions, clinched No. 1 seed)
- Buffalo Bills, 13-3 (AFC East champions, clinched No. 2 seed)
- Baltimore Ravens, 11-5
- Houston Texans, 9-7 (AFC South champions, clinched No. 4 seed)
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6
- Los Angeles Chargers, 10-6 (clinched wild card)
NFC
- Minnesota Vikings, 14-2
- Philadelphia Eagles, 13-3 (NFC East champions, clinched No. 2 seed)
- Los Angeles Rams, 10-6 (NFC West champions)
- Detroit Lions, 13-2
- Washington Commanders, 11-5 (clinched wild card)
- Green Bay Packers, 11-5 (clinched wild card)
Who can still make the NFL playoffs?
These teams are still alive in the playoff hunt:
AFC
- Denver Broncos, 9-7
- Cincinnati Bengals, 8-8
- Miami Dolphins, 8-8
NFC
- Atlanta Falcons, 8-8
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-7
What is the updated NFL playoff picture?
Here's a look at the playoff picture following the Sunday action in Week 17 (teams in bold have clinched a postseason berth):
AFC
- Chiefs
- Bills
- Ravens
- Texans
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Broncos
NFC
- Vikings
- Eagles
- Rams
- Buccaneers
- Lions
- Commanders
- Packers
Which teams are eliminated from the NFL playoffs?
These teams have been knocked out of the playoff race:
AFC
- New England Patriots
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- Indianapolis Colts
NFC
- New York Giants
- Chicago Bears
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- New Orleans Saints
- Seattle Seahawks
How many teams get a bye in the NFL playoffs?
Only the top seed in each conference gets a bye to the Divisional Round.
How do the NFL playoffs work?
Teams are seeded No. 1 through No. 7 in each conference, with the four division winners ranked by regular-season record followed by the three wild-card teams ranked by regular-season record.
The matchups in the opening round of the playoffs are No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5.
Does the NFL reseed in the playoffs?
Yes, the NFL reseeds in the playoffs. That means the top seed in each conference will draw the lowest-seeded team to advance beyond the opening round of the playoffs.
When does the 2024 NFL regular season end?
The regular season will conclude with Week 18 action on Sunday, Jan. 5.
When do the NFL playoffs start?
The postseason is then slated to begin with Super Wild Card Weekend from Saturday, Jan. 11 to Monday, Jan. 13.
What is the NFL playoff schedule?
The Divisional Round will take place from Saturday, Jan 18 to Sunday, Jan. 19, setting up the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, Jan. 26.
When is the Super Bowl 2025?
The AFC and NFC champions will square off in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Where is the Super Bowl 2025?
Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, in the Big Easy will host the Big Game.
