NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: AFC, NFC Scenarios, Predictions for 2023 Postseason
Four teams have punched their tickets to the NFL playoffs.
That number could double during Week 16.
The San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens are the ones with big-dance invitations already. The Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are the four teams that could soon join them, although some paths are less convoluted than others:
With plenty still to be sorted out, it's time to update the playoff field with a look at the latest standings and a couple of predictions for each conference.
NFL Playoff Picture
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American Football Conference
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)
2. Miami Dolphins (10-4)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
5. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
8. Houston Texans (8-6)
9. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
11. Denver Broncos (7-7)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
13. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
Eliminated: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans
National Football Conference
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
3. Detroit Lions (10-4)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)
6. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
7. Los Angeles Rams (7-7)
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
9. New Orleans Saints (7-7)
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
11. Green Bay Packers (6-8)
12. New York Giants (5-89)
13. Chicago Bears (5-9)
Eliminated: Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers
AFC Predictions
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1. The Ravens snag the No. 1 seed
Five teams technically remain in the running for the top seed, improbably including Indianapolis. Functionally, though, this is a three-team race between Baltimore, Miami and Kansas City.
The Chiefs have the softest schedule down the stretch, and they've suffered the fewest conference losses of the three (two). But they're also two losses back of the Ravens already, and they aren't exactly playing their best football of late, having dropped three of their last five contests.
So, this likely comes down to the Ravens and Dolphins. Baltimore should come out on top.
The Ravens could lose to the 49ers on Christmas, but the Dolphins could just as easily fall to the Cowboys the day before or the Bills in Week 18. And in between those outings is a road game in Baltimore, against a Ravens team that has won eight of its last nine.
2. The Bills win at least one playoff game
Buffalo first needs to secure a playoff spot to make this happen, and that won't be easy since its early struggles are presenting late obstacles. The Bills, who lost to both the Jets and the Patriots in the campaign's first half, are looking up at all the other eight-win clubs in the conference.
The Bills should surge past them soon, though. Their running game is rolling, their defense is getting stingier and their quarterback, Josh Allen, can take over a game at any time.
They've had three wins and a road overtime loss to the Eagles over their last four games. They should keep the victories rolling with the Chargers and Patriots up next, and they could have a chance to play for the AFC East crown when they visit the Dolphins in Week 18.
Look for them to ride this momentum wave into at least the Divisional round.
NFC Predictions
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1. The Rams win a wild-card spot, then a wild-card game
If the Rams handle the Saints at home on Thursday night, they could take a massive step toward securing their playoff ticket.
And that could only be the beginning.
Los Angeles sprinted out of its Week 10 bye to record four wins in five tries. Its lone slipup during this stretch was an overtime loss in Baltimore.
Matthew Stafford is dialed-in, Cooper Kupp looks like Cooper Kupp again and Aaron Donald remains one of the league's best game-breakers. The Rams have enough to not only reach the postseason, but enjoy some success there.
2. The 49ers win everything
Remember when the Niners wobbled into their Week 9 bye on the heels of three consecutive losses? You must have a great memory if you do.
San Francisco has been steamrolling folks ever since.
Saying the 49ers are on a six-game winning streak is technically accurate, but it doesn't do enough to capture describe their dominance. They've won all of these contests by double-digits and have an average margin of victory of 18.8 points over this stretch, which has included triumphs over the Eagles and the Seahawks (twice).
Brock Purdy appears on an MVP path, Christian McCaffrey could be the Offensive Player of the Year, the receivers all make things happen after the catch and the defense has playmakers at every level. San Francisco has more than enough to snag the top seed and power its way to a Super Bowl title.
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