Kansas City Chiefs vs. 7. The offense has sputtered during the final month of the season, and Tagovailoa, while still one of the more efficient passers in the NFL, was struggling as opposing defenses took away timing routes over the middle of the field. Result: The Bucs defeated the Panthers 30-24 to clinch the NFC South title and eliminate Carolina from playoff consideration. The Seahawks would have the tiebreaker between the teams if they both finish 12-4. And they might have to equal that total in three straight weeks. Green Bay also needed a Commanders loss, and it got it and then some from a Cowboys blowout of Washington. Jacksonville clinched the AFC South and the No. Miami split its two games with the Bills, defeating Buffalo 21-19 at home in Week 3 and losing to the Bills 32-29 on a walk-off field goal in Week 15. Result: Lost 27-24 to the Minnesota Vikings and can't clinch a playoff berth this week. Miami Dolphins (9-8) The ESPN Analytics team's live playoff probabilities -- which combine live in-game win probabilities with our Football Power Index (FPI) season projections -- will provide each team's playoff chances throughout the Week 18 slate. 4, 64.9%. New 2024 NBA mock draft But the Jaguars steal a division title by sneaking past the sinking Titans, as Jacksonville delivers the final blow in a 30-6 rout in Week 18. They have struggled playing against the tougher competition in a year that was supposed to be a rebuild. FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 21.7%. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? First-game outlook: The Cowboys will play at the Buccaneers in the wild-card round Monday, Jan. 16 (8:15 p.m. The D-line has got to lock it in. They'll need a win over the Rams in Week 17 to do it (37.4% chance, per FPI). 3, 68.2%. NFL playoff picture 2021 - Standings, brackets, scenarios after Christmas Day games, plus Week 16 outlook Skip to main content Skip to navigation > ESPN Search You have come to the ESPN. Why the Packers' transition to Jordan Love, whenever it happens, will require patience, A new home for Michael Thomas? His 77.8 QBR in Weeks 15-17 (vs. Washington, Minnesota, Indianapolis) was second best in the NFL during that span and helped the Giants clinch their first playoff berth since 2016. Cardinals grab No. --- . He's going to get catches, he's too good, too smart, but the idea is to limit damage, make them first downs, not touchdowns." The Niners have proven they can win slugfests, shootouts and everything in between, a valuable trait when entering the unpredictable postseason. Points are more important than yards, of course, but the only reason opponents haven't converted those yards into more points is the Vikings have been exceptionally good at the end of games. 2 seed with a win over the Cardinals, ensuring home-field advantage in the divisional round. "He's the focal point of their defense. 8. The NFL playoffs are here! As far as having the confidence to put it out there and give his guys a chance, and the ability to put it where it's supposed to be, I think he's at the very top." Reason for concern: A struggling offense. And yes, that means a sub-.500 team will officially win the division, one way or the other. Ranks: Kiper | McShay | Positional Only 11 players on the active roster were born the last time the Cowboys won a road playoff game. FPI chances to make playoffs: 83.5% NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? FPI chances to win division: Clinched Whoever wins the NFC East will be the first team in NFL history (of 342 candidates) to start a season 2-7 or worse and go on to make the playoffs, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau. -- Ben Baby, Where does Burrow rank among QBs in the fourth quarter? ET, NBC). (7) New England Patriots at (2) Buffalo Bills, (6) Baltimore Ravens at (3) Cincinnati Bengals, (5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Jacksonville Jaguars, Wild-card round bye: (1) Kansas City Chiefs, Teams that have clinched postseason berths: Bills (East), Chiefs (West), Bengals, Ravens, Chargers, (7) Seattle Seahawks at (2) San Francisco 49ers, (6) New York Giants at (3) Minnesota Vikings, (5) Dallas Cowboys at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wild-card round bye: (1) Philadelphia Eagles, Teams that have clinched postseason berths: Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, 49ers (West), Vikings (North), Buccaneers (South), Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) | Postponed. Reason for concern: Nobody really knows what to expect from rookie quarterback Brock Purdy when the lights burn brightest. FPI chances to win division: Eliminated TB-ATL: Buccaneers 34, Falcons 17 NE-BUF: Bills 27, Patriots 17 MIN-CHI: Bears 34, Vikings 24 BAL-CIN: Bengals 31, Ravens 25 LAC-DEN: Broncos 41, Chargers 33 DET-GB . They've got a lot of weapons with [Stefon] Diggs and guys like that." They've missed eight field goals and five PATs, forfeiting a total of 29 points directly with their kicking game while their opponents forfeited six (two missed field goals and zero missed PATs). 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Commanders' Payne first to be tagged, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, 2023 NFL combine preview: 15 future fantasy football stars to watch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 5. . Wide receiver Mike Evans was a big part of that, with three touchdowns -- the first time he'd reached the end zone since Week 4. FREE to play! In the end the Bills win the Super Bowl! I don't think it's a surprise at all. You just don't know. -- AFC player. I don't think any of us think that in here. Everything is on the table. Injuries have hit at a bad time. Packers charge into playoffs: Following a 40-33 Week 12 loss to the Eagles, the Packers looked done. "That's the same thing as Lamar [Jackson]. So, if he's looking at a lot of zone looks he'll just find the soft spots over and over and Mahomes has been around him so long he just knows how Kelce will settle in all of those looks. Dates and times to be announced later. The Chargers must establish the run and lean on the playmaking ability of Allen and Williams (if available) in big moments. These live probabilities are used by FPI season projections, which simulate the season based on each team's strength, schedule and tiebreaking rules. The result is a live representation of a team's various playoff, division and seed chances, along with an updated projection of the final standings. Super Bowl odds: +2200 When he's in the backfield, he can obviously catch, he can run the ball, so you just don't know what they're gonna do and it's hard to defend a back like that. -- AFC defensive player. FPI chances to win division: 64.9% To clinch a postseason spot, all they'll need to do is win in Cincinnati in Week 17. Here's how the NFL playoff picture looks with Week 18 . Using ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), we determined the most likely seed combination in each conference. Super Bowl odds: +3000 Playoff scenarios Playoff standings The Buffalo Bills and a few other AFC powers are right where we expected them to be in the AFC standings in Week 9. NFL playoff picture: Dolphins clinch last AFC spot, final NFC spot still up for grabs, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Trade Lamar? Atlanta, meanwhile, is clinging to its playoff hopes (a 3% chance, per ESPN's FPI . The Chiefs swept their AFC West rival Chargers and defeated the Jaguars 27-17 in Week 10. Most likely seed, per FPI: No. After 16 weeks of wildness, the NFC East title is going to come down to Week 17. Green Bay Packers (9-8) Check out. 2 seed from Vikings: The scorching-hot Niners trip up in Week 17, unexpectedly dropping a game to the Jarrett Stidham-led Raiders. The Steelers are eliminated from playoff contention with the Dolphins' win over the Jets. 16. FPI chances to make playoffs: Clinched Honestly, if that left guard doesn't get beat [by Aaron Donald in the final minute] in the Super Bowl, I think they win. If the Rams lose and the Bears win, L.A. will miss the postseason after entering Week 16 with a 96.2% chance to make the playoffs, per FPI. 6. Ravens GM says he covets QBs, Montana SB jersey breaks Brady's auction record, Colts GM pins moving up to 'guy worthy of it', McCarthy: 'New voice' calling plays will help Dak, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Survey: Vikes, Fins, Raiders top FA report cards, Chargers GM halts speculation: Allen staying put. The Jets fall to the Seahawks, knocking New York out of the race. 6. Losing nose tackle Bryan Mone was another blow to Seattle's run defense. Seahawks These two teams met in Minnesota in Week 16, with the Vikings winning 27-24 on a 61-yard, walk-off field goal by Greg Joseph for Minnesota's 11th one-score win. Scores: Week 17 | Week 18 NFL 2021-2022 Season - Playoff Predictors 2021 - 2022 NFL Season Status: Done! When the dust settled, the Cardinals were atop the NFC West and the Packers were holding the top spot in the conference. Most likely seed, per FPI: No. Super Bowl odds: +450 He has strong hands. So we're going to break down these final two weeks based on how ESPN's FPI sees it playing out in simulation No. Most likely seed, per FPI: No. 4 seed in the NFC and a first-round home game. The Titans will clinch if they beat the Texans or via a loss by the Ravens, Colts or Dolphins. --- Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) AFC: FPI chances to make playoffs: Clinched The most notable development of Week 18? That makes coming up with the blocking scheme more challenging when they have a solid rusher coming from each side. Reason for hope: Quarterback Daniel Jones has played well down the stretch. Which first-round prospects should Raiders focus on at combine? The Seahawks will clinch a playoff spot with a victory over the Rams and a Packers loss to the Lions. The pass rush has been better down the stretch, but here's the list of QBs the team faced in the final three games: Zach Wilson, Chris Streveler, Davis Mills, Jeff Driskel and Joshua Dobbs. Make Your Picks. The No. 7 seed and sets up an exciting offensive matchup against the Chiefs in the wild-card round. The defense has been one of the top units in the league all season, despite a couple of hiccups, but the offense has pulled its share of the weight since running back Christian McCaffrey came aboard in October. Baltimore Ravens (10-7) Super Bowl odds: +800 Baltimore will need this defense to be at the top of its game to get through an AFC playoff field that includes Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Reason for hope: The Seahawks have given everyone a reminder anything can happen in the NFL -- like a team trading its franchise quarterback and somehow being better off with his longtime backup. You have to make sure you're matching their speed in both areas." Each N.F.L. "It's not Tom Brady. 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