NFL Week 15 Playoff Picture: Cowboys, Eagles Can Clinch Spots This Weekend
The NFL regular season is down to four weeks, with three-quarters of the league having a legitimate shot to get into the postseason.
Yet with only a month remaining, the only team to have a postseason berth locked up is the 49ers. San Francisco can also win the NFC West this weekend with a victory over the Cardinals, or with a Rams loss Sunday to the Commanders.
The Eagles and Cowboys can join the 49ers this weekend with victories, and the Ravens and Lions can also ensure an 18th game through a slew of scenarios.
Let’s take a look at where things stand.
AFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here’s who would make the playoffs.
No. 1: Baltimore Ravens
Record: 10–3, first, AFC North
The Ravens play the Jaguars on Sunday night. A victory would keep them in the AFC’s top spot, while a loss would drop them to the second seed if the Dolphins beat the Jets.
No. 2: Miami Dolphins
Record: 9–4, first, AFC East
Miami hosts the Jets on Sunday. A win coupled with a Ravens loss would vault the Dolphins to the top seed, while a loss and a Chiefs win would drop them to the third seed.
No. 3: Kansas City Chiefs
Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Record: 8–5, first, AFC West
The Chiefs can move up to the second seed in the scenario mentioned above. They could also drop to the fourth seed with a loss to the Patriots, along with the Jaguars beating the Ravens.
No. 4: Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 8–5, first, AFC South
Jacksonville can only move in seeding with a win over the Ravens and a loss by the Chiefs to the Patriots.
No. 5: Cleveland Browns
Record: 8–5, second, AFC North
The Browns host the Bears on Sunday. They can’t move up in seeding but can slide with a loss.
No. 6: Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 7–6, third, AFC North
Pittsburgh takes on the Colts in Indianapolis on Saturday. The Steelers could fall from the playoff picture with a loss, or move to the fifth seed with a win and a loss from Cleveland.
No. 7: Indianapolis Colts
Record: 7–6, second, AFC South
Indianapolis hosts the Steelers on Saturday. A victory would move the Colts to the sixth seed. They can’t move up higher based on tiebreakers.
In the Hunt
Houston Texans (7–6): The Texans visit the Titans on Sunday, albeit without star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Denver Broncos (7–6): Denver takes on the Lions in Detroit come Saturday night, with the Broncos finishing up a three-game road trip.
Cincinnati Bengals (7–6): Cincinnati hosts the Vikings on Saturday, kicking off an NFL tripleheader.
NFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here’s who would make the playoffs:
No. 1: San Francisco 49ers
Record: 10–3, first, NFC West
As outlined above, the 49ers are already in the playoffs. With a victory over the Cardinals on Sunday, they would clinch the NFC West. However, a loss would drop San Francisco to the second seed if the Eagles or Cowboys win.
No. 2: Dallas Cowboys
Record: 10–3, first, NFC East
Dallas takes on the Bills at Orchard Park in the late-window primetime slot. If the Cowboys win, they’ll remain the second seed unless the 49ers lose. If Dallas loses, the Cowboys would drop to the fifth seed if the Eagles beat the Seahawks on Monday night.
No. 3: Detroit Lions
Record: 9–4, first, NFC North
Detroit hosts the Broncos on Saturday night. The Lions will not move in seeding, regardless of the result.
No. 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 6–7, first, NFC South
The Buccaneers visit the Packers on Sunday. A win would keep them as the fourth seed. However, a loss would drop them from the playoff picture completely if the Saints or Falcons win this weekend.
No. 5: Philadelphia Eagles
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
Record: 10–3, second, NFC East
A loss wouldn’t drop the Eagles in the standings. However, a win over Seattle on Monday night, coupled with a Cowboys loss in Buffalo, would make Philadelphia as the second seed. If the Eagles win and the 49ers and Cowboys both lose, they would regain the top seed.
No. 6: Minnesota Vikings
Record: 7–6, second, NFC North
The Vikings will not move either way in seeding, regardless of their outcome Saturday against the Bengals.
No. 7: Green Bay Packers
Record:6–7, third, NFC North
Green Bay can’t move up in the playoff picture with a win over the Buccaneers. However, it could slide out of the seventh seed with a loss, along with a win by the Falcons, Rams or Saints.
In the Hunt
Los Angeles Rams (6–7): The Rams host the Commanders on Sunday, looking to even their record.
Seattle Seahawks (6–7): Seattle is trying to snap a four-game losing streak, hosting the Eagles on Monday night.
Atlanta Falcons (6–7): Atlanta visits the Panthers in the first of two meetings between the teams over the season’s final month.