What Week 17 means for the 2021 NFL playoff picture

Seven teams head into the final week of the NFL regular season with their playoff tickets punched. But there are still seven postseason spots up for grabs, including a pair of division titles and the top spot in the NFC yet to be decided. Here’s everything that’s up for grabs on Sunday.

In addition to the extra wildcard in each conference, another big change to how the playoffs work this year is that there is no longer a bye for the second seed. That takes away some incentive for the Bills and Steelers—Buffalo is currently the second seed in the AFC.

AFC

Let’s start in the AFC where three teams have locked down a postseason berth. The Chiefs have secured the top spot, giving them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout. The Steelers and Bills have already clinched the AFC North and East titles, respectively. The AFC South title and both wildcard spots are still up for grabs.

AFC South

The Titans can clinch with a win OR a Colts loss.

The Colts can clinch with a win AND a Titans loss.

Clinching scenarios

Browns are in with a win OR a loss by the Colts OR a Titans loss and wins by the Colts, Dolphins, and Ravens.

Colts are in with a win AND a loss by either the Browns, Dolphins, or Ravens.

Dolphins are in with a win OR a loss by the Browns, Colts, or Ravens.

Ravens are in with a win OR a loss by the Browns or Colts.

Titans are in with a win OR a loss by the Browns, Colts, or Dolphins.

NFC

The top spot and a first-round bye is still up for grabs in the NFC. It’s currently held by the Packers, but the Saints and Seahawks both have a chance to claim it on Sunday. So let’s start with that one.

NFC first seed

Packers clinch with win OR a Seahawks loss.

Saints clinch with a win AND a Packers loss AND a Seahawks win.

Seahawks clinch with a win AND a Packers loss AND a Saints loss.

NFC East

Yes, someone with a losing record is going to the playoff this year, with a division title in hand. Washington is the favorite, but somehow the Giants and Cowboys, who’ll play each other this week, both have a shot at it too.

Cowboys can clinch with a win AND a Washington loss.

Giants can clinch with a win AND a Washington loss.

Washington can clinch with a win.

Clinching scenarios

Bears clinch with a win OR a Cardinals loss.

Cardinals clinch with a win.

Rams clinch with a win OR a Bears loss.