2023 NFL Picture: How Saturday wins by Chiefs and Jaguars affect postseason race, deciding scenarios

The final week of the NFL season started with a doubleheader on Saturday.

The first game of the day took place in Las Vegas, where Kansas City destroyed the Raiders 31-13. It was a big win for the Chiefs, who have now clinched the number one seed overall in the AFC and the first round that comes with it.

When the week began, the Chiefs weren’t in a position to take a top seed with a win in Week 18, but that changed Thursday after the NFL. I have officially decided to cancel the Bills-Bengals game. This elimination put the Chiefs in the driver’s seat for the top seed and they took advantage by defeating the Raiders.

Even though the Chiefs retain the top seed, there is still a chance they won’t host the AFC Championship Game. If the Bills beat the Patriots on Sunday and end up facing Kansas City in the AFC title game, the game will be played at a neutral site. If the Chiefs play any team besides the Bills, the game will be played in Kansas City.

Held Saturday night in Jacksonville, the Jaguars clinched the AFC South title by defeating the Titans, 20-16. The victory was not sealed until a fumbled Josh Allen responded for a touchdown with less than three minutes left in the game. The Jaguars’ win means they have now clinched the fourth seed in the AFC and will host a match next week in the wild card round.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the current playoff standings after wins over Kansas City and Tennessee.

AFC Supplement Ranking

still alive
Dolphins (8-8): If the Dolphins beat the Jets on Sunday, they will get their last wild card in the AFC if the Patriots also lose to the Bills.
Steelers (8-8): For the Steelers to make the playoffs, three things must happen: they have to beat the Browns, the Patriots must lose to the Bills and the Dolphins must lose to the Jets.

exclusion
Titans (7-10): The Titans could have entered the playoffs with a win over Jacksonville, but they were officially eliminated on Saturday night after losing to the Jaguars.

NFC Match Ranking

still alive
Black (8-8): To get to the playoffs, the Lions will need two things to happen: they’ll need to beat the Packers and they’ll also need the Seahawks to lose to the Rams.
Packs (8-8): Although the Packers are currently below the Lions and Seahawks in the standings, they are actually the only team out of those three teams in control of their own destiny this week. If the Packers beat the Lions on Sunday night, they will head to the playoffs.

Wild Card round matches (based on current standings)

Asian Football Confederation

(7) Patriots in (2) Bills
(6) Ravens vs. (3) Bengals (a coin flip will decide where this game will be if Baltimore beats Cincinnati on Sunday)
(5) Chargers in (4) Jaguar

Farewell: heads

NFC