NFL Playoff Picture: Breaking Down What Week 16 Results Mean

Before Week 16, the NFL playoff picture had a number of potential outcomes.

But thanks to several key matchups, the playoffs have suddenly begun to come into focus. The Baltimore Ravens avoided a complicated scenario in Week 17. They're the AFC North champions, and the Cincinnati Bengals also punched their ticket to the playoffs by beating Pittsburgh.

There was also some shuffling in the NFC as the Green Bay Packers are now in control for a first-round bye after the 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Two NFC divisions are decided, but the other two divisions will be decided in the final week of the season.

In both conferences, there are still a handful of things still up for grabs.

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1. Updated AFC Playoff Picture

The AFC field: Denver, Houston, New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Cincinnati

Current Playoff Picture:

*1) Denver 12-3 (vs. KC)

*2) Houston 12-3 (at IND)

*3) New England 11-4 (vs. MIA)

*4) Baltimore 10-5 (at CIN)

5) Indianapolis 10-5 (vs. HOU)

6) Cincinnati 9-6 (vs. BAL)

Key: Clinched Playoff Spot, *Clinched Division

Some things changed atop the AFC this week. The Houston Texans have been in control of the conference all season, but the No. 1 seed is now in doubt following a home loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Both the Broncos and Patriots still have hope for the AFC's top seed. 

By getting a much-needed victory over the New York Giants, the Ravens made the AFC playoff picture a little clearer this week. Baltimore is officially your AFC North champion, and the Cincinnati Bengals will be playing into the postseason.

The playoff field is set, but the seedings have yet to be finalized.

2. What's Still Up for Grabs in the AFC?

All six playoff teams are set—Denver, Houston, New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis and Cincinnati will compete to become the AFC's representative in Super Bowl XLVII.

But what is still up for grabs in the AFC?

1. Home-field advantage

Despite losing at home to the Vikings, the Houston Texans still control their own destiny for the No. 1 overall seed. If they defeat the Colts on Sunday, the Texans are the first seed.

If the Texans lose, either the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots could steal the top seed. Denver plays the Kansas City Chiefs, and New England hosts the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots would need a win over Miami and for both the Broncos and Texans to lose. The Broncos would only need a win and a Houston loss to earn home-field advantage.

Regardless of their individual seeding, the Broncos, Texans and Patriots will be the top three seeds. Baltimore will be the No. 4 seed in the AFC.

Got that?

2. Wild Card seeding

We know Indianapolis and Cincinnati are the two AFC Wild Cards.

The Bengals will host the Ravens, and the Colts will host the Texans this week. If both teams win, Indianapolis is the No. 5 seed and Cincinnati is the No. 6 seed.

But if the Colts fall to the Texans and the Bengals beat the Ravens, Cincinnati will overtake the No. 5 seed, in which case there would be a rematch between Baltimore and Cincinnati in the playoffs.

3. Updated NFC Playoff Picture

The NFC field: Atlanta, Green Bay, San Francisco, Seattle

Current Playoff Picture:

*1) Atlanta 13-2 (vs. TB)

*2) Green Bay 11-4 (at MIN)

*3) San Francisco 10-4-1 (vs. MIA)

4) Washington 9-6 (vs DAL)

5) Seattle 10-5 (vs. STL)

6) Minnesota 9-6 (vs. GB)

Key: Clinched Playoff Spot, *Clinched Division

In the NFC, four teams have their tickets punched for the postseason.

Atlanta and Green Bay have clinched their respective divisions, while Seattle and San Francisco have both guaranteed their spot in the playoffs.

If the 49ers defeat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, they'll clinch the NFC West and earn the No. 3 seed. But if San Francisco loses and Seattle defeats the Rams, then the Seahawks will be the division champions.

The NFC East will be decided Sunday night between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. And there are a handful of teams still in contention for the NFC's final Wild Card.

4. What's Still Up for Grabs in the NFC?

Four of the six playoff spots are set, but the NFC playoffs won't be final until the very last game on Sunday.

What's still up for grabs in the NFC?

1. NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys lost in overtime to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but the Baltimore Ravens did them a favor by defeating the New York Giants.

Now Dallas and Washington will compete for the division championship Sunday night. It's simple; whoever wins Sunday's game will be crowned NFC East champions.

And whoever wins that game will be the No. 4 seed in the NFC, hosting either Seattle or San Francisco in the first round of the playoffs.

2. NFC West

The Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers this past week. Frankly, it wasn't even close.

But the 49ers still control their own destiny heading into the final week of the regular season. If they beat the struggling Arizona Cardinals, they'll earn at least the No. 3 seed in the NFC. San Francisco is still in position to be the No. 2 seed in the NFC if Green Bay loses to Minnesota.

However, if the 49ers are upset by Arizona, then Seattle could sneak up from behind them and steal the NFC West title. Things are looking very interesting out west.

3. Final Wild Card

Either San Francisco or Seattle will win the NFC West. Whichever team falls short will certainly be the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

But beyond that, the race for the NFC's final wild-card spot is wide open.

The Minnesota Vikings control their own destiny. If Minnesota defeats Green Bay, the Vikings are the No. 6 seed no matter what. But the Packers will be motivated, as they're now in control of the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

If Minnesota loses, Chicago would be next in line for the No. 6 seed. If the Bears defeat the Detroit Lions, the Bears will finish 10-6 and earn the No. 6 seed in the NFC. But if they lose, things will get very interesting.

Although the New York Giants' playoff hopes took a hit on Sunday, they're still in playoff contention. The Giants need a win over the Eagles and losses by Seattle, Minnesota and Chicago to crack the postseason. Otherwise, it looks like there will be a new Super Bowl champion this year.

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