NFL Playoffs 2015-16: Wild-Card Picture, Postseason Bracket Post-Week 16

Week 16 has gone a long way toward clearing up the postseason picture, as only two teams currently outside the playoff bracket can still make the playoffs, and both are in the AFC.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of those two squads, and they're truly hanging on by a thread. Pittsburgh is the other, and there path to the postseason is much clearer.

Here's a look at the NFL playoff picture following Week 16's slate. If you want to check out the playoff permutations remaining heading into the regular season's final week, head on over to ESPN.com's playoff machine or the New York Times' postseason simulator.

Seed	AFC	NFC
1	New England Patriots (12-3)	Carolina Panthers (14-1)
2	Denver Broncos (11-4)	Arizona Cardinals (13-2)
3	Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)	Green Bay Packers (10-5)
4	Houston Texans (8-7)	Washington Redskins (8-7)
5	Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)	Minnesota Vikings (10-5)
6	New York Jets (10-5)	Seattle Seahawks (9-6)
In the Hunt	Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
In the Hunt	Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

NFC Playoff Picture

Atlanta kept its ultra-slim playoff hopes alive by ending the Carolina Panthers' undefeated season, which is a pretty remarkable feat for a team that went on a 1-7 swoon in the middle of this season.

The 20-13 home win, propelled by 178 receiving yards and a touchdown from Julio Jones, moved the Falcons to 8-7 on the year. Seattle couldn't eliminate the Falcons, losing to the St. Louis Rams 23-17, butM Minnesota's big win over the New York Giants on Sunday did the trick. The Giants, playing without a suspended Odell Beckham Jr., came out flat and struggled all game long in the 49-17 loss. Eli Manning tossed three interceptions and looked lost without his star target.

The Seahawks can still capture the fifth seed, needing a win over Arizona in Week 17 and a Vikings loss.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Minnesota has a huge game against Green Bay in the final week of the season. Arizona thrashed Green Bay 38-8 in Week 16, dropping the Packers to 10-5 on the season. With the two teams sporting identical records, it's pretty simple: winner takes the No. 3 seed and a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

As silly as it sounds, Carolina could go into the postseason as the NFC's second seed, should it lose to Tampa Bay in Week 17 and Arizona bests Seattle. Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman found a silver lining in the Panthers' first loss of the season:

"

What you will hear from some is this: It's never good to lose. This is false. In the case of the Panthers, who fell 20-13 to Atlanta, losing is great for them. Losing will help them. Losing will almost guarantee a trip to the Super Bowl.

That's because this Panthers team needs a break. It needs time to regroup, and now that the pursuit of an unbeaten season is over, head coach Ron Rivera can start resting everyone.

Yes, they may need the last game of the year against the Buccaneersto get home-field advantage. If they do, they play the starters and pull them the first minute possible.

"

The Panthers can't wait to see what Arizona does in Week 17, as the Cardinals play later in the day. They will have to go full-tilt in playing Tampa Bay, which lost to Chicago 26-21 on Sunday.

AFC Playoff Picture 

The AFC playoff picture is a bit more intriguing than the NFC's as the season comes to a close. Cincinnati could go level with New England should the Bengals beat Denver on Monday night, which would set up a dramatic final week of play in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

The Broncos could finish anywhere from the No. 2 seed to out of the playoffs. They will clinch a playoff spot by beating Cincinnati, but they could still lose the AFC West.

Kansas City snuck by Cleveland 17-13 on Sunday for its ninth win in a row. A win over Oakland combined with a Denver loss in either Week 16 or 17 would move the Chiefs into the AFC's third seed. Broncos fans shouldn't feel too nervous, as the New York Times gives them a 91 percent chance of at least making the postseason.

The New York Jets are now in control of their playoff destiny. The Jets quickly marched down the field in overtime after New England's baffling decision to kick the ball after winning the coin toss, ending the game with an Eric Decker touchdown catch for a final score of 26-20. 

All the Jets have to do is beat Buffalo in Week 17. Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore 20-17 on Sunday, ending the Steelers' streak of games with at least 30 points scored at six. Pittsburgh now needs a Broncos implosion or a Jets loss and some help to make the playoffs.

Considering how well Antonio Brown has played this season, it's a bit depressing that one of the league's best players might not be able to grace us with some postseason performances.

As for the AFC's fourth seed, it's down to Houston and Indianapolis. Both teams won in Week 16, so the Texans hold a one-game advantage heading into the final week of the season. Unfortunately, the Colts need a ton of help to make the playoffs.

It's not as simple as Houston losing and the Colts winning in Week 17. IndyStar.com's Zak Keefer summarized the Colts' predicament, noting that a Bengals win over Denver eliminates them, and they could still need 10 games to go their way if still alive after Monday: 

"

Fourteen of Houston's and Indianapolis' 16 games are the same meaning it comes down to Denver and Pittsburgh for the Colts, Kansas City and Cincinnati for Houston. Since Cincinnati has to lose to Denver and Baltimore for this scenario to come into play, Houston's strength of schedule would be 21-10, with Kansas City facing Oakland. Indianapolis' is 20-10 with Denver facing San Diego and Pittsburgh playing at Cleveland.

So Kansas City needs to lose and Denver and Pittsburgh need to win.

"

Unsurprisingly, the New York Times puts their playoff chances at less than 1 percent.

Of the three teams still on the playoff bubble, the Steelers have the best chance, as the Colts and Falcons are relying on holiday miracles to get in. If you're looking for any final twists in the drama in Week 17, look to the postseason position jockeying in the AFC.