Through 16 weeks of the NFL season, 24 teams are still in contention, fighting for 14 playoff spots and a chance of Super Bowl glory.
That’s a whopping 75% of the league, although a handful of those teams’ hopes of sneaking in are about as slim as Australia hosting an NFL game in the next 10 years. Extremely unlikely.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, foxsports.com.au delves deep into all teams left in contention, break down their run home and attempt to predict what the playoff picture and final seedings will look like at the end of Week 18.
Analysis: Underrated outfit looming large as a threat. Sixth seed at the moment and a win next week against the 5-10 New York Giants would all but guarantee a wildcard spot. Considered a 64 % chance of progressing. One to watch for: Rams QB Matt Stafford could very well travel to Detroit – the team he played 11 seasons with – in Week 1 of the playoffs.
7. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 8-7
Run home: Steelers (H), Cardinals (A)
Analysis: Will be assured of a wildcard spot if they win their last two games, both of which they will be favoured in. With that said, division rivals the Cardinals, will be licking their lips to play spoiler in Week 18 if Seattle lose to Pittsburgh beforehand.
8. MINNESOTA VIKINGS 7-8
Run home: Packers (H), Lions (A)
Analysis: They were sitting nicely two weeks ago but after consecutive losses, Minnesota are on the outside looking in. They’ll need to win their last two games and hope for the likes of the Seahawks and Rams to lose at least one over the final two weeks to be a chance of making the postseason. The Vikings currently own a head-to-head tie-breaker over the Falcons and Packers.
9. ATLANTA FALCONS 7-8
Run home: Bears (A), Saints (A)
Analysis: Recorded a crucial win against the Colts in Week 16, finally showing some life on the offensive side of the ball. They need to win their last two games and hope the Bucs lose at least one of theirs to take out the division. Even if the Bucs win the NFC South, Atlanta can sneak into a wildcard spot if either the Rams and Seahawks lose their last two.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. His team needs to win out to be a chance of punching a playoff ticket.Source: Getty Images
10. GREEN BAY PACKERS 7-8
Run home: Vikings (A), Bears (H)
Analysis: Will need plenty of luck to be a hope as they can’t win their division, even if they manage to beat the Vikings and Bears. Lose the head-to-head tie-breaker to the Vikings and Falcons but own it over the Saints.
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 7-8
Run home: Buccaneers (A), Falcons (H)
Analysis: Probably won’t progress with a wildcard, so will have to win the NFC South to play playoff football. With games against the Falcons and Buccaneers to come, two wins there may be enough depending on tiebreakers at the end of the regular season.
12. CHICAGO BEARS 6-9
Run home: Falcons (H), Packers (A)
Analysis: If Chicago don’t progress, they will be rueing the loss to Cleveland in Week 15, where they led by as much ten points at the start of the last quarter. Still, there are two winnable games left and if they get a heap of luck with other results, the Bears still have a slim chance.
Eliminated: Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Giants