NFL Playoff Image 2024-25: Week 17 Standings, AFC and NFC Wild Card Bracket Hunt
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Credit score: B/R
Getting into Week 17, there are a number of groups nonetheless vying for division titles, not to mention a berth within the NFL playoffs.
Each the AFC and NFC North are up for grabs, and the Rams are closing in on the NFC West. The NFC South will seemingly go to Week 18 earlier than a champion is set.
Add to that uncertainty the wild playing cards, all of whom might shift seeding relying on who wins and loses key matchups and you’ve got the drama the NFL hopes for each postseason.
Dive deeper into the playoff image with this have a look at the present NFC and AFC standings and an Atlanta crew whose championship hopes relaxation on the arm of a first-year quarterback.
NFC Playoff Image
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Luke Hales/Getty Pictures
The NFC playoff image is as follows:
Division Leaders
1. x-Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North)
2. x-Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East)
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6, NFC West)
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, NFC South)
Wild Card
5. x-Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
6. Inexperienced Bay Packers (10-4)
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)
On the Bubble
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
AFC Playoff Image
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Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Pictures
The AFC playoff image is as follows:
Division Leaders
1. xz-Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (14-1, AFC West)
2. xz-Buffalo Payments (12-3, AFC East)
3. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, AFC North)
4. xz-Houston Texans (9-6, AFC South)
Wild Card
5. x-Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)
On the Bubble
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
Michael Penix Jr. Retains Atlanta’s Playoff Hopes Alive
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Todd Kirkland/Getty Pictures
The No. 8 total decide within the 2024 draft made his first begin in Week 16, stepping in for a struggling Kirk Cousins and delivering the Atlanta Falcons a one-sided victory over the New York Giants that stored the crew’s playoff hopes alive.
Rookie Michael Penix Jr. went 18-27 for 202 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in a 34-7 victory over the G-Males.
It wasn’t a blinding debut, however Penix did sufficient proper to information his offense and persuade followers that he may very well be the quarterback of the longer term for a corporation that has been trying to find one since Matt Ryan took his final snap in pink and black.
Shawn Syed @SyedSchemes
Michael Penix Jr. was comfy within the pocket, threw out breakers on time, and was capable of work over the center of the sector
Penix Jr. additionally did not take a sack regardless of being pressured 14 occasions pic.twitter.com/sdPmB0sSJO
With the win and Tampa Bay’s loss to Dallas Sunday evening, the Falcons leapfrogged their rival for management of the division. With two wins in opposition to the Bucs in 2024, Atlanta now has the within observe to a division title and playoff berth.
Win each of their remaining video games (at Commanders, vs. Panthers) and the Falcons are NFC South champs and headed to the playoffs for the primary time since 2017. Even a tied report with Tampa Bay provides them the benefit, due to these two head-to-head wins earlier within the season.
Not dangerous for a corporation that began 4-2 however fell into mediocrity behind Cousins’ turnovers.
Now, the ball is in Penix’s court docket. Can the Washington product lead Bijan Robinson, Drake London and the remainder of the younger Falcons squad to the promised land and disrupt the NFC playoff image?
Followers get their reply in Week 17 when he has a possibility to ball out in opposition to the person who bested him for the 2023 Heisman Trophy, Jayden Daniels of the Commanders.
