The NFL playoff field is officially set
The GIST: The NFL regular-season finale brought shocking spoilers, unfortunate injuries, and, at long last, the setting of the 14-team playoff field. Ready that TikTok buffalo chicken dip recipe: the postseason is just around the corner.
AFC: Thanks to the Tennessee Titans’ surprise win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, all seven AFC playoff berths were secured before Sunday Night Football kicked off. But the Buffalo Bills’ late night dub over the Miami Dolphins earned them the AFC East title and the No. 2 seed, just behind the top-ranked Baltimore Ravens.
- The Jags’ elimination helped the Pittsburgh Steelers return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus and handed the Houston Texans the AFC South title, sending rookie quarterback (QB) C.J. Stroud’s squad to the postseason for the first time since the 2019 season.
NFC: Entering the weekend with “win and you’re in” scenarios, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers took care of business, beating the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears, respectively, to advance. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield had himself a $1M day, while Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay successor Jordan Love proved he has it all under control under center. Out with the old…
- Over in the NFC East, the battle for the division crown devolved into a mid-off, with the Dallas Cowboys topping the Washington Commanders to clinch the conference’s No. 2 seed while the reigning NFC champ Philadelphia Eagles choked against the already eliminated NY Giants and will settle for the No. 5 seed. Womp.
