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Hooray! Despite one of the most wide-open NFL postseason races in recent history, we finally have an actual, genuine playoff team. The Packers broke the seal on Sunday afternoon, not only clinching a spot in the NFC bracket but also the NFC North title. But in a turn of events that fits the theme of this season, no other teams have hit their clinching scenarios.
As of this moment, 13 of the NFL’s 14 playoff spots remain open, and only four teams are officially eliminated. Most notably, the Buccaneers lost at home Sunday night, an outcome that not only stymied their own immediate chances but also those of the Cowboys and Cardinals. There are still four games remaining in Week 15, following three COVID-19 delays, but it will end without an AFC team clinching a spot.
All of which means we’re in for a wildly entertaining final three weeks of the season. Of the eight teams with games remaining this week, four are currently in a playoff spot or within one game of one. What follows is our look at the NFL playoff picture, based on ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) and a bit of our own gut instinct. We’ll post updates Monday and Tuesday nights as warranted.
Note: X denotes a team that has clinched a playoff berth, Y shows a team that has clinched its division and Z indicates a team that has secured a first-round bye.
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AFC
FPI chances to make playoffs: 99%
FPI chances to win division: 93%
The Chiefs will finish Week 15 atop the AFC thanks to their win Thursday night over the Chargers, along with losses by the Patriots and Titans. The Chiefs were at one point 3-4, but they have won seven consecutive games and are getting better results — if not better play-to-play efficiency — than any team in the NFL. They no longer have to worry about losing the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Chargers, and they can clinch the AFC West in Week 16 with a win over the Steelers and a Chargers loss to the Texans. And they have a 53% chance to get the first-round bye, per ESPN’s…
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Source : espn
