NFL Analysis
12/31/23
4 min read
2023 NFL Playoff Bracket: Latest Matchups After Week 17
The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers locked up first-round byes, but the race for several playoff spots beneath them remains wide open.
AFC FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS
7. Indianapolis at 2. Miami-x
6. Buffalo at 3. Kansas City-z
5. Cleveland-x at 4. Jacksonville
Bye: Baltimore-z*
x-clinched playoff spot; z-clinched division; *-clinched first-round bye
AFC PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-3, 1ST NORTH)
Playoff Prospects: Another week, another statement win against a contender. The Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC's top seed by steamrolling the Dolphins six days after pulverizing the 49ers.
Remaining schedule: vs. PIT
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-5, 1ST EAST)
Playoff Prospects: The good feelings from defeating the Cowboys vanished when the Miami Dolphins absorbed a 56-19 rout from the Ravens. Miami's hopes of an AFC East title and a home playoff game come down to a winner-takes-all game against the Bills in Week 18.
Remaining schedule: vs. BUF
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-6, 1ST WEST)
Playoff Prospects: The Kansas City Chiefs clinched their eighth consecutive AFC West title and locked themselves into the third seed with a victory over the Bengals.
Remaining schedule: at LAC
4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (9-7, 1ST SOUTH)
Playoff Prospects: C.J. Beathard played an efficient game in place of injured QB Trevor Lawrence. But the real story for the Jacksonville Jaguars was their defense's domination of the Panthers. If the Jaguars win at Tennessee in Week 18, they'll capture the AFC South. If they lose, a Wild-Card spot could be in play.
Remaining schedule: at TEN
5. CLEVELAND BROWNS (11-5, 2ND NORTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Cleveland Browns and veteran QB Joe Flacco are hitting their stride at the right time, having won four in a row. If they win at Cincinnati in Week 18 they will ensure they play the AFC South champion in a Wild-Card game.
Remaining schedule: at CIN
6. Buffalo Bills (10-6, 2nd East)
Playoff Prospects: The Buffalo Bills enter Week 18's AFC East title matchup against the Dolphins having won four of five, including holding off the pesky Patriots on Sunday.
Remaining schedule: at MIA
7. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-7, 2ND SOUTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Indianapolis Colts continue doing what they need to retain a playoff spot. On Sunday that was edging the Raiders. Everything from winning the AFC South to being out of the playoffs is on the table in Week 18's matchup against the Texans.
Remaining schedule: vs. HOU
IN THE HUNT
8. Houston Texans (9-7, 3rd South)
Remaining schedule: at IND
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, 3rd North)
Remaining schedule: at BAL
NFC FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS
7. Green Bay at 2. Dallas-x
6. Los Angeles Rams-x at 3. Detroit-z
5. Philadelphia-x at 4. Tampa Bay
Bye: San Francisco-z*
x-clinched playoff spot; z-clinched division; *-clinched first-round bye
NFC PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-4, 1ST WEST)
Playoff Prospects: The San Francisco 49ers took care of business at Washington then got a New Year's gift when the Cardinals upset the Eagles — at Philadelphia — to secure the NFC's top seed.
Remaining schedule: vs. LAR
2. DALLAS COWBOYS (11-5, 1st EAST)
Playoff Prospects: Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. The Dallas Cowboys escaped with a win against the Lions on Saturday after a controversial call, then watched the previously three-win Cardinals stun the Eagles on Sunday. Beat Washington in Week 18, and Dallas will win the East.
Remaining schedule: at WAS
3. DETROIT LIONS (11-5, 1ST NORTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Detroit Lions were in a position to do something no team had done this season — beat the Cowboys in Dallas in Week 17.
Remaining schedule: vs. MIN
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-8, 1ST SOUTH)
Playoff Prospects: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't show up until the fourth quarter against the Saints yet still could win the NFC South with a Week 18 win at Carolina.
Remaining schedule: at CAR
5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-5, 2nd EAST)
Playoff Prospects: A fourth loss in five games — this time a shocking one to the Cardinals — has the once-mighty Philadelphia Eagles looking at a Wild-Card spot unless they win at New York and the Cowboys lose at Washington in Week 18.
Remaining schedule: at NYG
6. LOS ANGELES RAMS (9-7, 2ND WEST)
Playoff Prospects: The Los Angeles Rams escaped New York with their sixth win in seven games after the Giants missed a late field goal. Don't rule out a Week 18 victory at San Francisco because how motivated will the 49ers be now that they've clinched the NFC bye?
Remaining schedule: at SF
7. Green Bay Packers (8-8, 2nd North)
Playoff Prospects: A resounding Sunday Night Football win in Week 17 put the Green Bay Packers firmly back in the playoff picture, with a chance to secure their fate in Week 18 against the rival Bears.
Remaining schedule: vs. CHI
In the Hunt
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-8, 3rd West)
Remaining schedule: at ARZ
9. New Orleans Saints (8-8, 2nd South)
Remaining schedule: vs. ATL
10. Minnesota Vikings (7-9, 3rd North)
Remaining Schedule: at DET
11. Atlanta Falcons (7-9, 3rd South)
Remaining schedule: at NO
