Plenty of postseason tickets left to be punched after NFL Week 16

The GIST: The 16th NFL Sunday of the season has us feeling like Buffalo Bills quarterback (QB) Josh Allen as we single-handedly tackle our last-minute holiday shopping — and the league’s complicated postseason picture.

American Football Conference (AFC): Five teams have clinched the seven available postseason berths for the conference — the Kansas City Chiefs, Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. But no seeding has been locked in just yet, making these last two weeks absolutely pivotal.

• That said, KC controls their own destiny, meaning the top spot — and the coveted first-round bye that comes with it — is theirs with a Christmas Day dub.

National Football Conference (NFC): The NFC looked at the AFC and said “hold my hot chocolate” because their postseason picture is even more chaotic. Three teams are officially playoff-bound — the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles — and all three have a shot at the No. 1 seed.

• Looking to join them are the Green Bay Packers, who play tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET and could punch their ticket with a win against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

Postseason push will be marred by injury for many squads: Amid an already challenging 2024, Texans star wide receiver Tank Dell has returned home after being hospitalized for a “significant knee injury” suffered in Houston’s 27–19 Saturday loss to KC.

• And the Texans aren’t the only squad down a pivotal player: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ status for next week is in question after the Birds’ signal caller sustained a concussion in the third quarter of yesterday’s 36–33 loss to the Washington Commanders. Oof.