The countdown to the 2024 NFL playoffs is officially underway, and the excitement is palpable. As the regular season approaches its climax, fans across the nation are anxiously tuning in to see which teams will secure their chance at the coveted Super Bowl championship.

Current Playoff Landscape: Who's Secured Their Spot?

As we wrap up Week 14, four teams have clinched their playoff berths, showcasing their dominance in the league.

In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs are on a remarkable quest to make history by winning their third consecutive Super Bowl after securing the No. 1 seed. The Chiefs boast an impressive 12-1 record, with their only loss coming from the Buffalo Bills back in Week 11. Speaking of the Bills, they have also booked their playoff ticket by claiming the AFC East title while holding a strong 10-3 record.

Switching gears to the NFC, the Detroit Lions are having a season for the ages and currently sit at 12-1, comfortably leading their conference. The Philadelphia Eagles, with an 11-2 record, are also playoff-bound after clinching the NFC East title, showcasing their resilience and grit.

Teams in the Hunt: Who's Still in the Mix?

The race for the remaining playoff spots is heating up, with several teams in contention. In the AFC, five teams are on the verge of securing their postseason positions. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with a solid 10-3 record, are poised for the No. 3 seed, while the Houston Texans are likely to secure the No. 4 seed with their 8-5 record.

Chasing closely behind are the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos—all sporting 8-5 records and looking to solidify their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, both sitting at 6-7, are not yet out of the mix, though they face a tough uphill battle. Despite their 5-8 record, the Cincinnati Bengals are clinging to a slim 3% chance of making the playoffs as well.

In the NFC, the competition is just as fierce. The Seattle Seahawks currently hold the lead in the NFC West with an 8-5 record, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are navigating a tight race in the NFC South at 7-6. A pivotal matchup between the Seahawks and Rams could have major implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.

The NFC North features the dominant Minnesota Vikings (11-2) and Green Bay Packers (9-4), while the Washington Commanders (8-5) hold the final playoff spot. The Los Angeles Rams trail closely with a 7-6 record and remain hopeful for a postseason berth.

Teams on the Sidelines: Who's Out of the Race?

On the other side of the postseason picture, the New York Giants have officially been eliminated from playoff contention—an outcome that follows a disappointing season marked by the departure of starting quarterback Daniel Jones. The Giants' head coach Brian Daboll now faces scrutiny regarding his future with the team.

A slew of AFC teams have also seen their seasons come to a close. The Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders have all been knocked out of playoff contention, focusing their sights on improving for the 2025 season.

Current Playoff Seedings After Week 14:

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) – clinched 2. Buffalo Bills (10-3) – clinched 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) 4. Houston Texans (8-5) 5. Baltimore Ravens (8-5) 6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) 7. Denver Broncos (8-5) On the Outside Looking In: 8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7) 9. Miami Dolphins (6-7) 10. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) Eliminated: 11. Cleveland Browns (3-10) 12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) 13. New York Jets (3-10) 14. Tennessee Titans (3-10) 15. New England Patriots (3-10) 16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

NFC

1. Detroit Lions (12-1) – clinched 2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) – clinched 3. Seattle Seahawks (8-5) 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) 5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2) 6. Green Bay Packers (9-4) 7. Washington Commanders (8-5) On the Outside Looking In: 8. Los Angeles Rams (7-6) 9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7) 10. Arizona Cardinals (6-7) 11. San Francisco 49ers (6-7) 12. New Orleans Saints (5-8) 13. Dallas Cowboys (5-8) 14. Chicago Bears (4-9) 15. Carolina Panthers (3-10) Eliminated: 16. New York Giants (2-11) As the weeks dwindle down, the playoff picture will become clearer, and the anticipation builds! Who will rise to the occasion and earn their chance at playoff glory? Stay tuned!