Don’t look now, but the Dallas Cowboys ’path to the playoffs is still open for the final week of the regular season.
An intense NFL Sunday upset the league playoff landscape, with the Cowboys ’37-17 victory over the Eagles eliminating Philadelphia from the dispute and setting a week 17 in which Washington (6-9), Dallas (6-) 9) and New York All the Giants (5-10) have a chance to win the NFC East.
Here’s a look at the current playoff picture for both conferences, with a breakdown of how the field could change based on the results of Week 17.
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AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs – 14-1 (earned a first-round advantage and a home field advantage)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers – 12-3 (division obtained)
3. Buffalo Bills – 11-3 (division obtained)
4. Tennessee Titans – 10-5
5. Miami Dolphins – 10-5
6. Baltimore Ravens – 10-5
7. Cleveland Browns – 10-5
Here’s what we know: The Chiefs will be the No. 1 AFC, while the Steelers and Bills have secured their respective divisions. The only undecided division is the south, with the Titans currently in the driver’s seat. If Tennessee wins the Texans in Week 17, the Titans will win the division. A loss opens the door to the Polts (10-5), who should beat the Jaguars at home next week.
Indianapolis is also outside looking for the wildcard image. The Dolphins (in Buffalo), Ravens (in Cincinnati) and Browns (against Pittsburgh) get a place in the playoffs with a win next week or a Colts loss. The Colts have to beat the Jaguars and lose one of those three teams to get the field.
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NFC
1. Green Bay Packers – 11-3 (division obtained)
2. New Orleans Saints – 11-4 (division obtained)
3. Seattle Seahawks: 11-4 (division obtained)
4. Washington football team: 6-9
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-5 (docked playoffs)
6. Los Angeles Rams: 9-6
7. Chicago Bears – 8-7
By beating the Rams on Sunday, the Seahawks hit the NFC West for the first time since 2016. In the East, Washington may seal the division by beating the Eagles next week in Philadelphia. If the Eagles win, then the Eastern champion would be the Eagles Jeans (6-9) or Giants (5-10), who will face MetLife Stadium next week.
For the wildcard, there are three teams fighting for two remaining places, with Tampa Bay already secured on the field. The Rams can secure a spot with a home win against him Cardinals (8-7). Similarly, the Bears would get a playoff bid by beating the Packers at home in Week 17. If the Bears lose and the Cardinals win, Arizona and Los Angeles would enter. If they won the Rams, the Bears would get the final playoff spot regardless of their result against Green Bay. The Rams would only lose if they lose to Arizona and the Bears win.