Breaking down the NFL playoff image popping out of Week 15

The NFL playoff subject is filling out with better velocity because the season works its method via December. Four teams punched their ticket into the playoffs ahead of Week 15, and four teams entered Sunday with a chance to clinch a playoff berth.

The weekend opened with an enormous NFC West matchup between the 49ers and Rams in Santa Clara. The Rams pulled out the 12-6 win and find themselves firmly in the mix for the NFC West title. That was the primary of what’s a busy Week 15 for the playoff image.

Getting into Sunday, the Eagles, Vikings, Texans, and Steelers may all clinch a playoff berth. The Vikings snuck in with out even enjoying their recreation on Monday evening, whereas the Texans and Eagles may clinch their division titles with a win and a loss by the second place staff. Each Houston and Philly have been capable of punch their tickets.

On the opposite finish, the Panthers, Cowboys, Bears, and Bengals all confronted elimination from playoff rivalry. Dallas and Cincinnati stored their hopes alive however Chicago and Carolina have been formally eradicated.

The Sunday slate ended up backloaded with 5 of the six matchups beginning at 4:25 p.m. ET that includes two playoff groups. The 2 massive ones are a seize bag of the 4 groups who may find yourself of their respective convention title video games. The Lions misplaced to the Payments whereas the Eagles beat the Steelers.

Sunday evening featured to groups in playoff place, too, however the Seahawks loss dropped them out of consideration and the Rams into the highest spot within the NFC West. Inexperienced Bay’s win allowed them to maintain tempo with the remainder of the NFC wild card image.

NFC standings throughout Week 15

1. x-Detroit Lions (12-2, 8-1 NFC)
2. x-Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, 7-2 NFC)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6, 6-3 NFC)
4. Los Angeles Rams (8-6, win over SEA, 5-5 NFC)

5. x-Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
7. Washington Commanders (9-5)

3. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
9. Arizona Cardinals (7-7, 3-6 NFC)
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-7, 6-3 NFC)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-8, win over DAL)
12. Dallas Cowboys (6-8, loss to SF)*
13. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
14. Chicago Bears (4-9) — eradicated
15. Carolina Panthers (3-11) — eradicated
16. New York Giants (2-12) — eradicated

AFC standings throughout Week 15

1. y-Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
2. y-Buffalo Bills (11-3)
3. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-5)

5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5, win over DEN)
6. Denver Broncos (9-5, loss to BAL)*
7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)*

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-8, 5-5 AFC, win over MIA)*
9. Miami Dolphins (6-8, 5-5 AFC, loss to IND)*
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8, 3-6 AFC)*
11. New York Jets (4-10) — eradicated
12. Cleveland Browns (3-11, win over JAX) — eradicated
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11, win over TEN, loss to CLE, win over NE) — eradicated
15. Tennessee Titans (3-11, loss to JAX, win over NE) — eradicated
11. New York Jets (4-10, losses to JAX & TEN) — eradicated
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) — eradicated

Groups with an asterisk (*) have been eradicated from divisional rivalry
Groups with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Groups with a (y) have clinched their division

Key playoff image takeaways in Week 15

Detroit Lions stay in first regardless of loss

The Lions fell to the Buffalo Payments within the highest scoring recreation of the 12 months, however Detroit couldn’t win. They keep in first place due to their superior NFC file, however it’s a tricky loss everytime you rating 42 factors. 494 passing yards and 5 touchdowns wasn’t adequate for Jared Goff’s offense, apparently.

Patrick Mahomes injures ankle in win

The Chiefs dealt with their enterprise towards the Browns, however the massive story is Patrick Mahomes’ ankles. He was rolled up on a failed fourth down try within the fourth quarter and didn’t return to the sport. The medical employees taped up his ankles, however given the lead, there was no want for him to return. This shall be a state of affairs to watch because the Chiefs play two extra video games within the subsequent 10 days.

Buffalo Payments carve out their place with big win over Lions

Josh Allen is the NFL’s MVP and scored 4 extra touchdowns in Detroit. The Payments scored 40 factors for the second straight week and wanted each one in every of them, because the protection allowed 42 factors or extra for the second straight week. Coupled with the Steelers loss, the Payments are firmly in second place within the AFC with an opportunity to overhaul the Chiefs within the closing month of the season. The Payments have three video games towards the Patriots and Jets remaining.

Philadelphia wins the battle of Pennsylvania, downing the Steelers

The Eagles proved to be maybe probably the most harmful staff within the NFL by downing their cross-state rivals. Philly hung 27 on the Steelers protection and held a red-hot Pittsburgh offense to simply 13 factors.

Buccaneers blow out Chargers in battle of playoff hopefuls

Tampa Bay went to Southern California and hung a 40-burger on the Chargers. Los Angeles stays in playoff place with the loss, however it’s an enormous blow for them. The Bucs in the meantime keep forward of the Falcons for the lead within the NFC South.

Broncos solidify their playoff spot with a win over Colts

In the meantime, the Indianapolis Colts had an opportunity to shut the hole within the wild card race however couldn’t overcome self-inflicted wounds. Denver is now two video games plus a tiebreaker up with three video games left and sitting fairly for a playoff berth.

Commanders get essential cease to beat Saints

Washington was rolling over New Orleans, however wanted an enormous defensive stand on the finish of the sport to safe the win. The Saints scored what may have been a game-tying landing, however elected to go for 2 and the win. They got here up brief and Washington received. The win means the Eagles have to attend one other week to get a clinching situation for the NFC East.

Texans win the AFC South title

The Texans held off the Dolphins because of a pair of picks by Derek Stingley. They received 20-12 and in doing so arrange a clinching situation heading into the 4 p.m. window. The Colts loss meant the Texans clinched the AFC South title. The Dolphins aren’t eradicated from playoff rivalry, however they’re in a foul spot.

Rams all however get rid of 49ers

LA received in Santa Clara on Thursday Evening Soccer to brush the season sequence. The Rams may transfer into first place if the Seahawks lose to the Packers on Sunday Evening Soccer. The 49ers dropped to 6-8 and with solely three video games remaining, they may very well be eradicated from playoff rivalry in Week 16.

Which NFL groups have already clinched playoff spots?

After they moved to 11 wins in Week 13, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs became the first NFL team in the NFL to clinch a playoff spot. The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC East final Sunday evening, making certain a house playoff recreation. The Lions secured their playoff spot with the Thursday evening win whereas the Philadelphia Eagles joined them on Sunday. The Houston Texans received the AFC South in Week 15 whereas the Minnesota Vikings sewed up their spot earlier than they even performed in Week 15.

• Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
• Buffalo Payments
• Detroit Lions
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Minnesota Vikings
• Houston Texans

Which NFL groups have been eradicated from the playoffs?

In Week 13, the Giants grew to become the primary staff this season to be officially eliminated from the playoff race. On Black Friday, the Raiders joined them with their tenth lack of the season and they’re additionally eradicated. On Sunday, the Patriots have been additionally eradicated them with a loss and wins by the Chargers and Texans. With the Broncos win on Monday evening, they eradicated the Jaguars from the playoffs. In Week 14, the Browns joined the checklist. The Week 15 elimination group contains the Bears and Panthers.

• New York Giants
• New England Patriots
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Tennessee Titans
• Cleveland Browns
• New York Jets
• Chicago Bears
• Carolina Panthers

NFL Division Standings

AFC East standings

1. Buffalo Payments, 11-3 — division clinched
2. Miami Dolphins, 6-8
3. New York Jets, 4-10 — eradicated from playoff rivalry
4. New England Patriots, 3-11 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

AFC North standings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-4
2. Baltimore Ravens, 9-5
3. Cincinnati Bengals, 6-8
4. Cleveland Browns, 3-11 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

AFC South standings

1. Houston Texans, 9-5
2. Indianapolis Colts, 6-8
3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-11 — eradicated from playoff rivalry
4. Tennessee Titans, 3-11 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

AFC West standings

1. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 13-1 — division clinched
2. Denver Broncos, 9-5
3. Los Angeles Chargers, 8-6
4. Las Vegas Raiders, 2-11 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

NFC East standings

1. Philadelphia Eagles, 12-2
2. Washington Commanders, 9-5
3. Dallas Cowboys, 6-8
4. New York Giants, 2-12 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

NFC North standings

1. Detroit Lions, 12-2
2. Minnesota Vikings, 11-2
3. Inexperienced Bay Packers, 10-4
4. Chicago Bears, 4-9 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

NFC South standings

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8-6
2. Atlanta Falcons, 6-7
3. New Orleans Saints, 5-9
4. Carolina Panthers, 3-11 — eradicated from playoff rivalry

NFC West standings

1. Los Angeles Rams, 8-6
2. Seattle Seahawks, 8-6
3. Arizona Cardinals, 7-7
4. San Francisco 49ers, 6-8