NFL Playoff Picture 2023-24: Updated AFC, NFC Standings After Week 16 Sunday Slate

The NFL is more unpredictable than ever before and it shows in the current standings, with parody running amok and several teams vying for playoff spots late into the regular season.

In the AFC, only one team has clinched a spot in the postseason while in the NFC, several teams remain alive for both the south division title and wildcard positions.

The closeness in both conferences heightened the significance of nearly every game on Sunday's slate, including the marquee match-up between the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys.

Who emerged victoriously from that game and what did the standings look like after Sunday's most significant showdowns?

Find out with this recap of a jam-packed Christmas Eve lineup.

AFC Playoff Picture

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills walks through the tunnel before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Current standings following Sunday's slate of games:

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3, AFC North) (clinched playoffs)
2. Miami Dolphins (11-4, AFC East) (clinched playoffs, clinched AFC East)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5, AFC West)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7, AFC South)
5. Cleveland Browns (10-5, Wildcard)
6. Buffalo Bills (8-6, Wildcard)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-7, Wildcard)

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On the Bubble

Houston Texans (8-7)

Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)

Denver Broncos (7-8)

Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)

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Eliminated

Tennessee Titans (5-10)

New York Jets (6-9)

Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)

New England Patriots (4-11)

NFC Playoff Picture

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 16: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Current standings following Sunday's slate of games:

1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3, NFC West) (clinched playoffs, division)
2. Detroit Lions (11-4, NFC North)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4, NFC East) (clinched playoffs)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, NFC South)
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-5, Wildcard) (clinched playoffs)
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-7, Wildcard)
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-7, Wildcard)

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On the Bubble

Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

Green Bay Packers (7-8)

New Orleans Saints (7-8)

Atlanta Falcons (7-8)

Chicago Bears (6-9)

New York Giants (5-9)

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Eliminated

Washington Commanders (4-11)

Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

Carolina Panthers (2-13)

Indianapolis Falters, Loses Big to Atlanta

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ATLANTA, GA DECEMBER 24: Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball during the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons on December 24th, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts entered Sunday's game having made a habit of finding ways to win games. Behind running backs Zack Moss and Jonathan Taylor, a bend-but-down-break defense, and the just-good-enough quarterback Gardner Minshew II, the team managed to be in playoff contention.

They made it harder for themselves with their Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The 29-10 loss was ugly.

The Falcons exploited Indianapolis' defense for 405 total yards, 229 of which came from backup quarterback Taylor Heinecke. Running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson enjoyed averages of 7.7 and 6.0, respectively, with Allgeier finding the end zone.

Minshew threw a pick and the Colts offensive line allowed six sacks on the day as the Falcons played like a team desperately to remain in contention.

Indy is in an absolute battle in the AFC, in a four-way tie with the Bengals, Steelers, and Texans at 8-7 and a single loss potentially costing them a shot to pay off an improbable year with a playoff berth.

They wrap up the season with two winnable games against the Raiders and the Texans. A stumble in either will open the door for either of the AFC North teams or those same Texans a chance to cash their ticket to the postseason.

Cowboys Lose Another Big Game

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 24: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys lost their second-straight game to an AFC East opponent Sunday, dropping them to 10-5.

Dallas saw a potentially momentous opening drive ruined by a fumble from rookie fullback Hunter Luepke. It was the only turnover by the offense as Dak Prescott went 20/32 for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb both found the endzone, and the team accumulated 97 yards on the ground.

Dallas' defense, one of the stronger units in the league, gave up 375 total yards, including 49 on the game-winning drive.

The team had done a solid job of containing the high-powered Dolphins offense and managed to hold Tyreek Hill under 100 yards and contained Raheem Mostert, allowing just 46 yards on 11 carries.

It was a strong performance but ultimately, the team found a way to lose, an old criticism of an organization with mammoth expectations every year and no Super Bowls to show for it since the dynasty of Jimmy Johnson, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith in the 1990s.