NFL Analysis
12/25/23
4 min read
2023 NFL Playoff Bracket: Latest Matchups After Week 16
The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins solidified their hold on the AFC's top two spots, while their defeats of the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, further tightened the NFC playoff race.
AFC FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS
7. Indianapolis at 2. Miami-x
6. Buffalo at 3. Kansas City
5. Cleveland at 4. Jacksonville
Bye: Baltimore-x
x-clinched playoff spot
AFC PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-3, 1ST NORTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Baltimore Ravens made a statement with a resounding victory at San Francisco on Christmas night. They can clinch the AFC's top seed with a Week 17 victory against the Dolphins.
Remaining schedule: vs. MIA, vs. PIT
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-4, 1ST EAST)
Playoff Prospects: The Miami Dolphins kept themselves in the hunt for the AFC's top seed by beating the Cowboys on a last-second field goal. Beating the Ravens in Week 17 is a must.
Remaining schedule: at BAL, vs. BUF
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-6, 1ST WEST)
Playoff Prospects: The Kansas City Chiefs hold a two-game lead in the West but no longer have a shot at the top seed in the AFC after Monday's loss to the Raiders.
Remaining schedule: vs. CIN, at LAC
4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7, 1ST SOUTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Jacksonville Jaguars lost a game and quarterback Trevor Lawrence but retain the No. 4 spot because they own tiebreakers against the Colts and Texans.
Remaining schedule: vs. CAR, at TEN
5. CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-5, 2ND NORTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Cleveland Browns and veteran QB Joe Flacco are one of the feel-good stories of the season. They are closing in on a playoff berth after beating the Texans.
Remaining schedule: vs. NYJ, at CIN
6. Buffalo Bills (9-6, 2nd East)
Playoff Prospects: The Buffalo Bills are hot at the right time and bounced back up into the playoff race by beating the Chargers on Saturday night.
Remaining schedule: vs. NE, at MIA
7. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-7, 2ND SOUTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Indianapolis Colts stumbled badly against the Falcons, but kept the final playoff spot — for now — based on tiebreakers with the Steelers and Bengals.
Remaining schedule: vs. LV, vs. HOU
IN THE HUNT
8. Houston Texans (8-7, 3rd South)
Remaining schedule: vs. TEN, at IND
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7, 3rd North)
Remaining schedule: at SEA, at BAL
10. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7, 4th North)
Remaining schedule: at KC, vs. CLE
11. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8, 2nd West)
Remaining schedule: at IND, vs. DEN
12. Denver Broncos (7-8, 3rd West)
Remaining schedule: vs. LAC, at LV
NFC FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS
7. Seattle at 2. Philadelphia-x
6. Los Angeles Rams at 3. Detroit-x
5. Dallas-x at 4. Tampa Bay
Bye: San Francisco-x
x-clinched playoff spot
NFC PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4, 1ST WEST)
Playoff Prospects: Christmas night's rout at home by the Ravens doesn't hurt the San Francisco 49ers' chances of getting the NFC's top seed, but one has to wonder about the psychological damage.
Remaining schedule: at WAS, vs. LAR
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-4, 1st EAST)
Playoff Prospects: The Philadelphia Eagles held off the Giants to snap a three-game losing streak and solidify their hold on first in the East.
Remaining schedule: vs. ARZ, at NYG
3. DETROIT LIONS (11-4, 1ST NORTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Detroit Lions clinched the North Division title for the first time in 30 years on Sunday, so they are guaranteed to play host at least one playoff game.
Remaining schedule: at DAL, vs. MIN
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7, 1ST SOUTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Baker Mayfield, walloped the Jaguars to remain atop the South, which would allow them to be home for a Wild-Card game.
Remaining schedule: vs. NO, at CAR
5. DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5, 2nd EAST)
Playoff Prospects: The Dallas Cowboys' last-second loss at Miami and the Eagles' victory on Monday mean Dallas' path to winning the East became much narrower.
Remaining schedule: vs. DET, at WAS
6. LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-7, 2ND WEST)
Playoff Prospects: The Los Angeles Rams continue to surprise. They have the sixth seed ahead of the Seahawks on a tiebreaker.
Remaining schedule: at NYG, at SF
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-7, 3rd West)
Playoff Prospects: The Seattle Seahawks had to rally to beat the Titans on Sunday and in doing so moved back into the playoffs with the final NFC spot.
Remaining schedule: vs. PIT, at ARZ
In the Hunt
8. Minnesota Vikings (7-8, 2nd North)
Remaining Schedule: vs. GB, at DET
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-8, 2nd South)
Remaining schedule: at CHI, at NO
10. Green Bay Packers (7-8, 3rd North)
Remaining schedule: at MIN, vs. CHI
11. New Orleans Saints (7-8, 3rd South)
Remaining schedule: at at TB, vs. ATL
12. Chicago Bears (6-9, 4th North)
Remaining schedule: vs. ATL, at GB
