We have made it through 16 weeks of the NFL season. Teams are clinching playoff spots, while others have been eliminated and are turning their attention to the 2024 NFL Draft. There are still two weeks left, and it is looking like some of the divisional races will come down to the wire with important games still set to be played over the last two weeks.
The week began on Thursday with Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams balling out for the Rams in a huge win over the Saints. The Saints loss moved the Bucs a little closer to clinching the NFC South. On Saturday, the Steelers thumped the Bengals and the Bills beat the Chargers in the closing seconds. Buffalo moved into one of the wild card berths while Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are both scuffling on the outside looking in. The Bengals-Steelers result has no impact on the AFC North title as both had already been eliminated from division contention.
Below are the eight divisional standings, along with some quick thoughts about each division after 16 weeks of football. We’ll update with remaining records as the league moves toward Week 17.
AFC East
The Bills beat the Chargers in the closing seconds to climb into a wild card berth. The Jets beat the Commanders on a last-second field goal. The Dolphins beat the Cowboys to clinch a playoff berth. The Pats upset the Broncos on SNF.
AFC North
The Steelers beat the Bengals to knot them up and give Pittsburgh the head-to-head sweep. The Browns thumped the Texans.
AFC South
The Colts lost an ugly one to the Falcons. The Texans lost to the Browns. The Titans lost in the final minute to the Seahawks. The Jaguars lost to the Bucs to create a three-way tie atop the AFC South. Jacksonville holds the tiebreaker edge on overall record against the other three teams.
AFC West
The Chargers lost to the Bills to be officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Broncos lost to the Patriots on SNF to greatly diminish their playoff chances. The Raiders upset the Chiefs on Christmas Day.
NFC East
The Commanders lost to the Jets on a last-second field goal. The Cowboys lost to the Dolphins to drop into second place. The Eagles beat the Giants to take a full-game lead over the Cowboys.
NFC North
The Packers beat the Panthers on a field goal in the final minute. The Lions beat the Vikings to clinch the division title.
NFC South
The Falcons beat the Colts to move into a tie with the Saints. The Panthers lost to the Packers on a last minute field goal. The Bucs thumped the Jaguars to take a one-game lead in the division.
NFC West
The Seahawks beat the Titans on a last minute touchdown pass.