{"id":14553,"date":"2023-12-27T10:06:37","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T15:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/nfl-playoff-picture-after-week-16-ravens-close-in-on-afcs-top-seed-nfc-up-for-grabs\/27\/12\/2023\/"},"modified":"2023-12-27T10:06:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T15:06:37","slug":"nfl-playoff-picture-after-week-16-ravens-close-in-on-afcs-top-seed-nfc-up-for-grabs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/nfl-playoff-picture-after-week-16-ravens-close-in-on-afcs-top-seed-nfc-up-for-grabs\/27\/12\/2023\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL playoff picture after Week 16: Ravens close in on AFC\u2019s top seed; NFC up for grabs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n<\/p>\n

\n

The Baltimore Ravens<\/a> scored their most impressive victory of the season Monday night, defeating the San Francisco 49ers<\/a> 33-19. Along with making them look like worthy Super Bowl contenders, the victory puts them in a fantastic position in the AFC. At 12-3, they\u2019re a game ahead of Miami and have a chance to clinch the top spot next week in a game against those very Dolphins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the 49ers\u2019 loss sends them to 11-4 and a three-way tie atop the NFC with the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> and Detroit Lions<\/a>. The 49ers own the tiebreaker over both, but with two games to go, there\u2019s still time for the Eagles or Lions to make a move.<\/p>\n

As for the rest of the NFL<\/a>, Week 16 saw plenty of movement in the playoff picture. Let\u2019s take a look at where things stand as we enter Week 17.<\/p>\n

Listed odds to make the playoffs, secure the No. 1 seed and win the Super Bowl are all via\u00a0<\/em>The Athletic\u2019s NFL betting model, created by Austin Mock.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

AFC playoff picture<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Seed<\/span><\/th>\nTeam<\/span><\/th>\nRecord<\/span><\/th>\nWeek 16 result<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n

x–1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

12-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. SF<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

x–2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

11-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. DAL<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

9-6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

L vs. LV<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

8-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

L vs. TB<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

10-5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. HOU<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

9-6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. LAC<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

8-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

L vs. ATL<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

x \u2014 Clinched playoff berth | z \u2014 Clinched division title<\/h5>\n

Baltimore Ravens<\/h2>\n

The Ravens delivered a message in San Francisco, not just on the scoreboard with their blowout of the 49ers but with the way they initiated the physicality throughout the night. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald might have worked his way onto some short lists for teams with head coaching vacancies.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. Miami Dolphins, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a><\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 69.5 percent | To win Super Bowl: 17.2 percent<\/p>\n

\n

The Ravens\u2019 defense vs. the 49ers on Christmas:<\/p>\n

\u25fb\ufe0f 5 INT
\u25fb\ufe0f 9 QB hits
\u25fb\ufe0f 4 sackshttps:\/\/t.co\/Hh2mfOm6AZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/XF8vaN0tuT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) December 26, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Miami Dolphins<\/h2>\n

The Dolphins<\/a> just earned their first marquee victory of the season Sunday against the Cowboys<\/a>, and they got it with a clutch, game-winning drive just before the buzzer. That\u2019s huge, not just for a team angling for seeding but as the Dolphins work to build confidence before the playoffs. Now they\u2019re in a position to take hold of the No. 1 seed if they can win Sunday in Baltimore.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>at Ravens, vs. Buffalo Bills<\/a><\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 28.9 percent | To win Super Bowl: 13.2 percent<\/p>\n

\n

DOLPHINS CLINCH A PLAYOFF BERTH ON A WALK-OFF FIELD GOAL!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: FOX pic.twitter.com\/ynIkpoMfGt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 25, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Chiefs have lost five of eight, and they\u2019re 2-3 this season against teams that currently have winning records. While it may feel reckless to write off quarterback Patrick Mahomes<\/a>, the Chiefs\u2019 resume isn\u2019t representative of a team that\u2019s ready to win four consecutive playoff games.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule:<\/strong>\u00a0vs. Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>, at Los Angeles Chargers<\/a><\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 98.1 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 9.1 percent<\/p>\n

The Jags are reeling with four consecutive losses, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence<\/a>\u2019s injuries are mounting by the week. Their offensive issues over the past two weeks can be explained by injuries and Lawrence\u2019s shortage of practice time, but the defense is also leaking by surrendering 29.5 points per game during the skid. Then again, the Bucs scored three touchdowns off turnovers, so it\u2019s become a widespread meltdown.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. Carolina Panthers<\/a>, at Tennessee Titans<\/a><\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 65.9 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 1.2 percent<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

NFL Week 16 takeaways: Browns, Joe Flacco do it again; time to consider Lions contenders?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Quarterback Joe Flacco<\/a>, who was sitting on his couch watching football five Sundays ago, has three consecutive 300-yard games for the first time in his career. He hasn\u2019t had a trio of 300-yard games throughout an entire season since 2016. Just a remarkable run.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. New York Jets<\/a>, at Bengals<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 1.6 percent | To win Super Bowl: 2.9 percent<\/p>\n

\n

telling my kids this is Santa Claus pic.twitter.com\/eTloAPK2EK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 24, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Buffalo Bills<\/h2>\n

The Bills<\/a> started their three-game winning streak in Kansas City, and they\u2019re shaping up to be as dangerous as any team in the AFC. There\u2019s also a possibility we see the next chapter of the Bills-Chiefs mini-rivalry in the wild-card round.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>at New England Patriots<\/a>, at Dolphins<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 90.3 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 4.7 percent<\/p>\n

\n

QB keeper! <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: @peacock<\/a>#ProBowlVote<\/a> | @JoshAllenQB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uy9yYWjbiJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 24, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Colts laid an egg<\/a> with a 29-10 loss in Atlanta, and now they\u2019re in a four-way tie with the Texans<\/a>, Steelers and Bengals. The Colts will almost certainly have to win out and hope the tiebreakers work in their favor to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. Raiders<\/a>, vs. Houston Texans<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 66.4 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 0.9 percent<\/p>\n

In the hunt<\/h2>\n

\u2022 Houston Texans (8-7)
\u2022 Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
\u2022 Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
\u2022 Denver Broncos<\/a> (7-8)
\u2022 Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)<\/p>\n

Eliminated<\/h2>\n

\u2022 New York Jets (6-9)
\u2022 Tennessee Titans (5-10)
\u2022 Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
\u2022 New England Patriots (4-11)<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n\n

\n

NFC playoff picture<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Seed<\/span><\/th>\nTeam<\/span><\/th>\nRecord<\/span><\/th>\nWeek 16 result<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n

z–1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

11-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

L vs. BAL<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

x–2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

11-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. NYG<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

z–3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

11-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. MIN<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

8-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. JAX<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

x–5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

10-5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

L vs. MIA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

8-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. NO<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\n

8-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

W vs. TEN<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

x \u2014 Clinched playoff berth | z \u2014 Clinched division title<\/h5>\n

San Francisco 49ers<\/h2>\n

Quarterback Brock Purdy<\/a>\u2019s four interceptions will dominate the spotlight in the wake of the 49ers\u2019 one-sided defeat to the Ravens, but don\u2019t ignore another key aspect. After falling behind 23-12 with 12:07 remaining in the third quarter, Purdy was just 8-of-14 passing for 107 yards and one interception over four scoreless possessions before leaving with an injury. The 49ers\u2019 concern has been their inability to erase late deficits, and they didn\u2019t make much of a dent when they fell behind Monday night.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule:<\/strong> at Washington Commanders<\/a>, vs. Los Angeles Rams<\/a><\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 74.3 percent | To win Super Bowl: 25.5 percent<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s well-established by now very little will come easy for the Eagles, who haven\u2019t won a game by more than 8 points since Week 7. While their final two regular-season tilts are against non-playoff foes, they will be personal against former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> before a rematch with the Giants<\/a>. The quality of the opponent won\u2019t be elite, but they\u2019ll be tough games that will serve as good playoff tuneups.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. Cardinals, at Giants<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 22.4 percent | To win Super Bowl: 7.8 percent<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\"go-deeper\"\/<\/div>\n
\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

Eagles hold off Giants to snap skid as DeVito benched<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Detroit Lions<\/h2>\n

The Lions<\/a> have finally won the NFC North<\/a> and will host a playoff game for the first time in 30 years. They\u2019ll also be searching for their first postseason victory in 32 years \u2014 and just their second in the Super Bowl era. And in a sadistically fitting way, they may have to go through fan favorite Matthew Stafford<\/a> to get it done.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>at Dallas Cowboys, vs. Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 2.9 percent | To win Super Bowl: 5.2 percent<\/p>\n

\n

What was once an aspiration is now a reality in Detroit.<\/p>\n

This Lions team knows how to win. It knows how to close games. It knows better than to leave things to chance, writes @colton_pouncy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And it doesn\u2019t stop here.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd17: https:\/\/t.co\/yXLvQCEtl4<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/p5dDdcb35l<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 25, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Bucs have won four in a row but hadn\u2019t necessarily beaten a quality opponent until delivering a statement with a blowout against the Jaguars. There won\u2019t be high expectations for the Buccaneers \u2014 or whoever wins the NFC South \u2014 against the NFC East runner-up, but a playoff berth in a rebuilding year after a 4-7 start should be viewed as a huge success in Tampa.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. New Orleans Saints<\/a>, at Panthers<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 89.1 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 1.7 percent<\/p>\n

\n

Baker and the Bucs have won four consecutive games.<\/p>\n

The NFC South standings:<\/p>\n

\u25fb\ufe0f Tampa Bay Bucs (8-7)
\u25fb\ufe0f Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
\u25fb\ufe0f New Orleans Saints (7-8)
e \u2014 Carolina Panthers (2-13) pic.twitter.com\/TLyT0EalC4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) December 25, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dallas Cowboys<\/h2>\n

With the loss Sunday in Miami, the Cowboys fell to 2-2 this season in one-possession games, and they\u2019ve only won a single time (Week 13 against the Seahawks<\/a>) when they\u2019ve trailed after the first quarter. Their lack of success in tightly contested games will again be a concern in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. Lions, at Commanders<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 0.5 percent | To win Super Bowl: 7.8 percent<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\"go-deeper\"\/<\/div>\n
\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

Cowboys insist confidence is high after second consecutive loss \u2014 both on the road<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Los Angeles Rams<\/h2>\n

There was little reason to believe the Rams<\/a> would be in this position when they were 3-6, but they\u2019ve won five of six since their bye week and have a shot to play the role of spoilers if they can continue this march into the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>at Giants, at 49ers<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 68.2 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 1.1 percent<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\"go-deeper\"\/<\/div>\n
\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

Puka Nacua shows why he’s in Offensive ROY conversation in prime time as Rams keep rolling<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Seattle Seahawks<\/h2>\n

The Seahawks don\u2019t rack up many style points, but they\u2019ve proven their ability to win close games<\/a>, including game-winning drives from quarterbacks Geno Smith<\/a> and Drew Lock<\/a> in the last two outings. If they can get healthier for the playoffs, this physical team that just endured a stretch of tough opponents is going to be an unenviable opponent.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: <\/strong>vs. Steelers, at Cardinals<\/p>\n

Odds: <\/strong>To make playoffs: 70 percent | To earn bye: 0 percent | To win Super Bowl: 0.9 percent<\/p>\n

In the hunt<\/h2>\n

\u2022 Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
\u2022 Atlanta Falcons<\/a> (7-8)
\u2022 Green Bay Packers<\/a> (7-8)
\u2022 New Orleans Saints (7-8)
\u2022 Chicago Bears<\/a> (6-9)<\/p>\n

Eliminated<\/h2>\n

\u2022 New York Giants (5-10)
\u2022 Washington Commanders (4-11)
\u2022 Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
\u2022 Carolina Panthers (2-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Top photo of Lamar Jackson: \u00a0Thearon W. Henderson \/ Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Football 100,\u201d the definitive ranking of the\u00a0NFL<\/a>\u2019s best 100 players of all time, is on sale now. Order it\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n