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The Baltimore Ravens picked up their most impressive win of the season by defeating the San Francisco 49ers 33-19 on Monday night. Along with making them look like worthy Super Bowl contenders, the win puts them in a great position in the AFC. At 12-3, they are one game ahead of Miami and have a chance to take over the top spot by a game against those same Dolphins next week.
Meanwhile, the 49ers’ loss dropped them to 11-4 and into a three-way tie with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions in the NFC. The 49ers have the tiebreaker on both, but with two games left, the Eagles or Lions still have time to advance.
As for the rest of the NFL, Week 16 saw plenty of movement in the playoff picture. Let’s see where things stand entering Week 17.
Listed are all the possibilities for making the playoffs, earning the No. 1 seed, and winning the Super Bowl. athleticNFL betting model created by Austin Mock.
afc playoff photo
| Seed | Team | record | week 16 result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
X–1 |
12-3 |
w vs sf |
|
|
X–2 |
11-4 |
W vs DAL |
|
|
3 |
9-6 |
L vs LV |
|
|
4 |
8-7 |
l vs tb |
|
|
5 |
10-5 |
W vs HOU |
|
|
6 |
9-6 |
W vs LAC |
|
|
7 |
8-7 |
L vs ATL |
x – Place in playoffs confirmed. won z-division title
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens sent a message to San Francisco, not only by beating the 49ers on the scoreboard, but by the way they exuded physicality all night long. Defensive coordinator Mike McDonald may have worked his way onto some short lists for teams with head coaching vacancies.
Remaining programs: vs. Miami Dolphins, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent To earn a bye: 69.5 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 17.2 percent
Ravens defense vs. 49ers on Christmas:
◻️ 5 INT
◻️ 9 QB hits
◻️ 4 bagshttps://t.co/Hh2mfOm6AZ pic.twitter.com/XF8vaN0tuT– The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) 26 December 2023
miami dolphins
The Dolphins got their first marquee win of the season against the Cowboys on Sunday, and they got it with a clutch, game-winning drive just before the buzzer. This is huge, not only for a team trying to clinch a seed, but as the Dolphins work to build confidence ahead of the playoffs. Now if they can win on Sunday in Baltimore they are in position to clinch the No. 1 seed.
Remaining programs: Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent Bye to earn: 28.9 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 13.2 percent
The Dolphins made the playoffs on a walk-off field goal!
📺: Fox pic.twitter.com/ynIkpoMfGt
– Fox Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) 25 December 2023
The Chiefs have lost five of eight, and are 2-3 this season against teams that currently have a winning record. Although it may seem reckless to dismiss quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ resume is not representative of a team that is poised to win four consecutive playoff games.
Remaining programs: vs. Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers
odds: To make it to the playoffs: 98.1 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 9.1 percent
The Jags are reeling off four straight losses, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s injury burden is worsening week by week. Their offensive issues over the past two weeks can be explained by injuries and Lawrence’s lack of practice time, but the defense is also leaking, surrendering 29.5 points per game during the skid. Then, the Bucs scored three touchdowns off turnovers, so it turns out to be a massive meltdown.
Remaining programs: Carolina Panthers vs. Tennessee Titans
odds: To make it to the playoffs: 65.9 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 1.2 percent
go deeper
NFL Week 16 takeaways: Browns, Joe Flacco does it again; Time to consider Lions contenders?
Quarterback Joe Flacco, who five Sundays ago was sitting on his couch watching football, has had three consecutive 300-yard games for the first time in his career. He hasn’t had a trio of 300-yard games in an entire season since 2016. Just a remarkable run.
Remaining programs: vs. New York Jets, Bengals
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent Bye to earn: 1.6 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 2.9 percent
Telling your kids it’s Santa Claus pic.twitter.com/eTloAPK2EK
– Cleveland Browns (@Browns) 24 December 2023
buffalo bill
The Bills began their three-game winning streak in Kansas City, and they are becoming as dangerous as any team in the AFC. There’s also a chance we see the next chapter of the Bills-Chiefs mini-rivalry in the wild-card round.
Remaining programs: At New England Patriots, at Dolphins
odds: To make it to the playoffs: 90.3 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 4.7 percent
QB protector!
: @Peacock#ProBowlVote , @JoshAllenQB pic.twitter.com/uy9yYWjbiJ
– Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) 24 December 2023
The Colts lost 29-10 in Atlanta and are now in a four-way tie with the Texans, Steelers and Bengals. The Colts almost certainly have to win out and hope the tiebreakers work in their favor to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Remaining programs: vs. Raiders, vs. Houston Texans
odds: To make it to the playoffs: 66.4 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 0.9 percent
in the hunt
• Houston Texans (8-7)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
•Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
• Denver Broncos (7-8)
• Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)
wiped out
• New York Jets (6-9)
• Tennessee Titans (5-10)
• Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
• New England Patriots (4-11)
NFC playoff picture
| Seed | Team | record | week 16 result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
z–1 |
11-4 |
l vs hair |
|
|
X–2 |
11-4 |
w vs nyg |
|
|
z–3 |
11-4 |
w vs min |
|
|
4 |
8-7 |
w vs jx |
|
|
X-5 |
10-5 |
L vs MIA |
|
|
6 |
8-7 |
w vs no |
|
|
7 |
8-7 |
W vs TEN |
x – Place in playoffs confirmed. won z-division title
san francisco 49ers
Quarterback Brock Purdy’s four interceptions will dominate the headlines in the 49ers’ lopsided loss to the Ravens, but let’s not overlook another important aspect. Trailing 23–12 with 12:07 remaining in the third quarter, Purdy was 8 of 14 passing for 107 yards and an interception on four scoreless possessions before leaving with an injury. . The concern for the 49ers has been their inability to erase losses late, and it didn’t hurt much when they fell behind on Monday night.
Remaining programs: at Washington Commanders vs. Los Angeles Rams
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent To earn a bye: 74.3 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 25.5 percent
philadelphia eagles
It’s well established by now that very few things will get easier for the Eagles, who haven’t won a game by more than 8 points since Week 7. While their final two regular season tilts are against non-playoff foes, they will be in-person against former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals before a rematch with the Giants. The quality of the opponent won’t be elite, but they will be tough games that will serve as good playoff tuneups.
Remaining programs: vs. Cardinals, at Giants
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent To earn goodbye: 22.4 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 7.8 percent
go deeper
Eagles keep Giants from slipping as DeVito sits on bench
detroit lions
The Lions have finally won the NFC North and will host a playoff game for the first time in 30 years. They will also be looking for their first postseason win in 32 years – and their second in the Super Bowl era. And in a sadly fitting manner, they may have to go through fan favorite Matthew Stafford to accomplish it.
Remaining programs: at dallas cowboys vs minnesota vikings
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent Bye to earn: 2.9 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 5.2 percent
What was once an aspiration is now a reality in Detroit.
This Lions team knows how to win. Knows how to close games. writes, it knows better than to leave things to chance @colton_pouncey,
And it doesn’t stop here.
🔗: https://t.co/yXLvQCEtl4 pic.twitter.com/p5dDdcb35l
– The Athletic (@TheAthletic) 25 December 2023
The Bucs have won four in a row, but had not beaten a quality opponent until their strong performance against the Jaguars. There won’t be high expectations for the Buccaneers — or whoever wins the NFC South — against the NFC East runner-up, but a playoff berth should be viewed as a huge success in Tampa in a rebuilding year after a 4-7 start.
Remaining programs: vs. New Orleans Saints, at Panthers
odds: To make it to the playoffs: 89.1 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 1.7 percent
Baker and the Bucs have won four consecutive games.
NFC South standings:
◻️ Tampa Bay Bucs (8-7)
◻️ Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
◻️ New Orleans Saints (7-8)
E – Carolina Panthers (2-13) pic.twitter.com/TLyT0EalC4– The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) 25 December 2023
dallas cowboys
With Sunday’s loss in Miami, the Cowboys went 2-2 in one-possession games this season, and have won only once (Week 13 against the Seahawks) when they have trailed after the first quarter. Their lack of success in tightly contested games will again be a concern in the playoffs.
Remaining programs: vs Lions, at Commanders
odds: To reach the playoffs: 100 percent Bye to earn: 0.5 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 7.8 percent
go deeper
The Cowboys insist their confidence is high after second straight defeat – both on the road
Los Angeles Rams
There was no reason to believe the Rams would be in this position when they were 3-6, but they have won five of six since their bye week and if they can continue this march He has a chance to play the role of a spoiler. Playoffs.
Remaining programs: At the Giants, at the 49ers
odds: To make it to the playoffs: 68.2 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 1.1 percent
go deeper
Puka Nacua shows why he’s in the prime-time offensive tackle conversation as Rams continue to reel
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks don’t score a lot of style points, but they have proven their ability to win close games, including game-winning drives by quarterbacks Geno Smith and Drew Lock in the last two contests. If they can get healthy for the playoffs, this physical team that has just faced tough opponents is going to be an incredible opponent.
Remaining programs: Cardinals vs. Steelers
odds: To make the playoffs: 70 percent. Bye to earn: 0 percent | To win the Super Bowl: 0.9 percent
in the hunt
• Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
• Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
• Green Bay Packers (7-8)
• New Orleans Saints (7-8)
• Chicago Bears (6-9)
wiped out
• New York Giants (5-10)
• Washington Commanders (4-11)
• Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
• Carolina Panthers (2-13)
(Top photo of Lamar Jackson: Theron W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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