NFL playoff fields are filling up more and more quickly as the season progresses into December. Four teams qualified for the playoffs ahead of Week 15, and four teams entered Sunday with a chance to earn a playoff spot.
The weekend kicked off with a big NFC West matchup between the 49ers and Rams in Santa Clara. The Rams won 12-6, putting them firmly in contention for the NFC West title. This was the first game of a busy Week 15 leading up to the playoffs.
Entering Sunday, the Eagles, Vikings, Texans and Steelers could all be in line for a playoff spot. The Vikings only need a win, but the Texans and Eagles could clinch the district title with one win and one loss by the second-place team. Meanwhile, the Panthers, Cowboys, Bears, and Bengals could all be eliminated from playoff contention.
Five of the six games on Sunday's schedule, starting at 4:25 p.m. ET between the two playoff teams, were canceled. These two big teams are among the four team acquisitions that could advance to their respective conference title games. The Lions host the Bills and the Eagles host the Steelers. Neither match is likely to have much of an impact on the tiebreaker, but all four division leaders are vying for the top seeds.
Week 15 NFC Standings
1.×-detroit lions (12-2, 8-1 NFC)
2.×-philadelphia eagles (12-2, 7-2 NFC)
3. seattle seahawks (8-5)
4. tampa bay buccaneers (8-6)
5. minnesota vikings (11-2)
6. green bay packers (9-4)
7. commander of washington (9-5)
8. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
9. arizona cardinals (7-7, 3-6 NFC)
10. atlanta falcons (6-7, 6-3 NFC)
11. san francisco 49ers (6-8, victory over DAL)
12. dallas cowboys (6-8, lost to SF)*
13. new orleans saints (5-9)
14. chicago bears (4-9) — Eliminated
15. carolina panthers (3-11) — Eliminated
16. new york giants (2-12) — Eliminated
Week 15 AFC Standings
1.y-kansas city chiefs (13-1)
2.y-buffalo bills (11-3)
3.×-pittsburgh steelers (10-4)
4.y-houston texans (9-5)
5. baltimore ravens (9-5, victory over DEN)
6. denver broncos (9-5, lost to BAL)*
7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)*
8. indianapolis colts (6-8, 5-5 AFC wins over MIA)*
9. miami dolphins (6-8, 5-5 AFC, lost to IND)*
10. cincinnati bengals (6-8, 3-6 AFC)*
11. new york jets (4-10) — Eliminated
12. new england patriots (3-11) — Eliminated
13. cleveland browns (3-11, victory over JAX) — Eliminated
14. jacksonville jaguars (3-11, won against TEN) — Eliminated
15. tennessee titans (3-11) — Eliminated
16. las vegas raiders (2-11) — Eliminated
Teams marked with an asterisk
excluded from division competition
Teams marked with (x) have qualified for the playoffs
The team marked with (y) won the division
Playoff key takeaways from Week 15
Detroit Lions remain in first place despite loss
The Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills in the highest scoring game of the year, but Detroit couldn't win. Their excellent NFC record keeps them in first place, but every time they score 42 points, it's a tough loss. 494 passing yards and five touchdowns clearly weren't enough for Jared Goff's offense.
Patrick Mahomes injured ankle in win
The Chiefs handled themselves well against the Browns, but the big story was Patrick Mahomes' ankle. He was rolled up on a failed fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. Medical staff placed tape on his ankle, but given his lead, there was no need for him to return. The situation will be monitored as Chiefs play two more games over the next 10 days.
Buffalo Bills solidify their place in the standings with big win over Lions
Josh Allen was the NFL's MVP and scored four more touchdowns in Detroit. The Bills scored 40 points for the second straight week, but they needed all of that as their defense allowed 42 or more points for the second straight week. Combined with the loss to the Steelers, the Bills are firmly in second place in the AFC with a chance to overtake the Chiefs in the final month of the season. The Bills have three games remaining against the Patriots and Jets.
Philadelphia wins by defeating the Steelers in the Battle of Pennsylvania
The Eagles destroyed their interstate rivals and proved to be perhaps the most dangerous team in the NFL. Philadelphia held the Steelers' defense to 27 points and held Pittsburgh's heated offense to just 13 points.
Buccaneers defeat Chargers in battle of playoff contenders
Tampa Bay went to Southern California and hung 40 burgers on the Chargers. Even with the loss, Los Angeles remains in the playoffs, but this is a big blow for them. Meanwhile, the Bucks are ahead of the Falcons and are in first place in the NFC South.
Broncos beat Colts to secure playoff berth
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts had a chance to close the gap in the wild-card race, but were unable to overcome their own injuries. Denver currently has two games and a tiebreaker and three games remaining and is in a good position to make the playoffs.
Commander gets critical stop to defeat Saints
Washington was dominating New Orleans, but needed a huge defense at the end of the game to secure the victory. The Saints could have scored the game-clinching touchdown, but they chose to score two points and win. They came up just short, and Washington won. With this win, the Eagles will have to wait another week to get a shot at winning the NFC East.
Texans close to winning AFC South title
The Texans kept the Dolphins at bay thanks to Derek Stingley's two picks. They won 20-12, setting up a scenario for the finals before 4 p.m. If the Colts lose, the Texans will win the AFC South title. The Dolphins weren't eliminated from playoff contention, but they are in a bad position.
Rams nearly wipe out 49ers LA won in Santa Clara. thursday night football Dominating the season series. If the Seahawks lose to the Packers on the 11th, the Rams could move into first place.sunday night football
. The 49ers fell to 6-8 and could be eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 with three games remaining.
Which NFL teams have already qualified for the playoffs?
- The Kansas City Chiefs won 11 games in Week 13, becoming the first NFL team to qualify for the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills won the AFC East last Sunday night, securing a berth in a home playoff game. The Lions secured a playoff spot with Thursday night's win, and were joined by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
- kansas city chiefs
- buffalo bills
- detroit lions
philadelphia eagles
Which NFL team was eliminated from the playoffs?
- In Week 13, the Giants became the first team this season to be officially eliminated from the playoff race. On Black Friday, the Raiders joined them with their 10th loss of the season and were also eliminated. On Sunday, the Patriots were also eliminated with a loss, and the Chargers and Texans won. The Broncos' win on Monday night eliminated the Jaguars from the playoffs. The Browns were added to the list in Week 14. The Week 15 elimination group includes the Bears and Panthers.
- new york giants
- new england patriots
- jacksonville jaguars
- las vegas raiders
- tennessee titans
- cleveland browns
- new york jets
- chicago bears
carolina panthers
NFL Division Standings
- AFC East standings Buffalo Bills, 11-3 — division
- clinched
- Miami Dolphins, 6-8
- New York Jets, 4-10 — eliminated from playoff contention
New England Patriots, 3-11 — eliminated from playoff contention
- AFC North Division Standings
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-4
- Baltimore Ravens, 9-5
- Cincinnati Bengals, 6-8
Cleveland Browns, 3-11 — eliminated from playoff contention
- AFC South Division Standings
- Houston Texans, 9-5
- Indianapolis Colts, 6-8
- Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-11 — eliminated from playoff contention
Tennessee Titans, 3-11 — eliminated from playoff contention
- AFC West Division Standings Kansas City Chiefs, 13-1 — division
- clinched
- Denver Broncos, 9-5
- Los Angeles Chargers, 8-6
Las Vegas Raiders, 2-11 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC East standings
- Philadelphia Eagles, 12-2
- Washington Commanders, 9-5
- Dallas Cowboys, 6-8
New York Giants, 2-12 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC North Standings
- Detroit Lions, 12-2
- Minnesota Vikings, 11-2
- Green Bay Packers, 9-4
Chicago Bears, 4-9 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC South Standings
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8-6
- Atlanta Falcons, 6-7
- New Orleans Saints, 5-9
Carolina Panthers, 3-11 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC West Standings
- Seattle Seahawks, 8-5
- Los Angeles Rams, 8-6
- Arizona Cardinals, 7-7
San Francisco 49ers, 6-8
