NFL playoff image, Week 15: Eagles be a part of Lions atop NFC; Rams take management of NFC West

Sadly for the Detroit Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t going away. They only carry on profitable. After their tenth straight victory, a 27-13 walloping of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the 12-2 Eagles are tied with the Lions atop the NFC.

The Lions, who misplaced a 48-42 shootout to the Buffalo Payments on Sunday, nonetheless have a maintain on the No. 1 seed as a result of their superior file towards NFC foes (8-1 to the Eagles’ 7-2). Nevertheless, there are nonetheless three extra video games left to play this season, and with Detroit defenders getting injured at an alarming fee, it’s fairly attainable that the Eagles would be the NFC workforce resting up the primary week of the playoffs whereas the Lions should fend off a wild-card foe.

In the meantime, within the AFC, it hasn’t been the prettiest of seasons for the Houston Texans, however with their 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the Denver Broncos, they clinched the AFC South title for a second straight season. Houston is assured a house playoff recreation and might spend the remainder of the season preventing to enhance its seeding.

As for the remainder of the NFL, right here’s the place issues stand within the playoff image with two Monday night time matchups nonetheless on faucet to complete Week 15.

Listed odds to make the playoffs, safe the No. 1 seed and win the Tremendous Bowl are all through The Athletic‘s NFL Projection Mannequin, created by Austin Mock. 

x — Clinched playoff berth | z — Clinched division title | * — Clinched No. 1 seed

Even their 14-point wins are ugly. Patrick Mahomes left within the fourth quarter with an ankle harm, so his standing goes to be a priority down the stretch. He performed by a excessive ankle sprain a few postseasons in the past, however the Chiefs have added yet one more diploma of issue to their quest for a 3rd consecutive Tremendous Bowl.

Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, at Steelers, vs. Broncos

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 78.3% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 17.8%

Quarterback Josh Allen has been probably the most unstoppable participant within the league for a lot of the season, however the final two video games towards the Rams and Lions had been notably absurd. He’s thrown for 704 yards and 5 touchdowns and rushed for 150 yards and 5 scores. The Payments have scored 90 factors with 14 scoring drives and 4 punts over that stretch. There’s a not-so-subtle downside, although, as Allen has wanted each little bit of that manufacturing simply to go 1-1 in these two video games with the Payments surrendering 86 factors.

Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 21% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 12.8%

The Steelers had been overmatched by the Eagles, which could say extra about Philly than something, however the Steelers solely have a one-game lead over the Ravens with their rematch developing. The Steelers are 4-1 towards groups within the playoff image, in order that they’ve bought an excellent resume. However their closing stretch is horrifying, and there isn’t a lot room for error.

Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 0.7% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 4.2%

The Texans, now AFC South champions, have received two in a row for the primary time since their three-game profitable streak from Weeks 4-6, however it’s going to be a problem to maintain the great occasions going with upcoming dates towards the Chiefs and Ravens. Nevertheless, if the Texans do reply the bell towards two of the AFC’s greatest, they’ll add to a resume that already features a victory towards the Payments and could be thought of an actual postseason risk.

Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 2.8%

In a statistical oddity, operating again Derrick Henry hasn’t scored a landing in three consecutive video games, which is the primary time that’s occurred to him in a single season since 2018. Henry has 318 yards from scrimmage throughout this stretch, so he’s been productive regardless of a scarcity of visits to the top zone.

Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

Odds: To make playoffs: 98% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 4.7%

Lamar Jackson’s 5 landing passes led the way in which for the Baltimore Ravens in a 35-14 win over the New York Giants.

The victory inches the Ravens even nearer to securing a playoff spot within the AFC.

Takeaways ⤵️https://t.co/wf1tbjek8y pic.twitter.com/NviSwiOjLR

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 15, 2024

The Broncos received the Peyton Manning Bowl thanks largely to Colts operating again Jonathan Taylor inexplicably fumbling by the top zone in a second that fully modified the trajectory of each groups’ seasons. If the Colts had received, they might’ve pulled to inside a recreation of the Broncos and claimed the head-to-head tiebreaker with a considerably simpler schedule over the ultimate three weeks. The Broncos’ ultimate three opponents have a mixed file of 27-15, whereas the Colts’ final three (vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars) are 8-34 and all within the combine for the No. 1 decide. The Broncos had been going through a two-touchdown deficit on the time of Taylor’s gaffe, they usually as a substitute closed the sport with 24 consecutive factors and a blowout win.

Remaining schedule: at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

Odds: To make playoffs: 91.1% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 3.4%

It seemed just like the Chargers had been onto one thing a month in the past as they dispatched the Bengals to enhance to 7-3. However they’ve since misplaced three of 4 with losses to the Ravens, Chiefs and Buccaneers. They’ve bought an fascinating one developing towards the Broncos as they attempt to enhance their 1-5 file towards groups within the playoff discipline. The win, after all, got here in Week 6 in Denver.

Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

Odds: To make playoffs: 82.9%| To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 2.8%

• Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
• Miami Dolphins (6-8)
• Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)

Eradicated

• New York Jets (4-10)
• Cleveland Browns (3-11)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
• Tennessee Titans (3-11)
• New England Patriots (3-11)
• Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

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x — Clinched playoff berth | z — Clinched division title | * — Clinched No. 1 seed

The Lions had a foul day towards an awesome Payments workforce. It occurs. The priority, although, is whether or not they’re extra inclined to the sort of efficiency due to their myriad accidents on protection, particularly with the opposite NFC powers hitting their stride. The most recent blows: Coach Dan Campbell mentioned he’s not optimistic concerning the possibilities of star defensive deal with Alim McNeill (knee) or cornerback Carlton Davis (concussion) returning this season after each sustained accidents Sunday.

Remaining schedule: at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 54% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 17%

The Eagles may need had the very best Sunday within the league, staving off the hated Steelers, pulling right into a tie with the Lions atop the NFC and answering questions on their passing recreation. Working again Saquon Barkley was restricted for a lot of the recreation, and quarterback Jalen Hurts went 25-of-32 for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith mixed for 19 catches, 219 yards and each scores.

Remaining schedule: at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 39.1% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 13.4%

The Bucs are driving a four-game profitable streak on the heels of a four-game skid, and this was a signature win towards the Chargers after beforehand benefiting from a better stretch of opponents. They only hung 40 factors on the No. 1-ranked scoring protection within the NFL. The Bucs don’t get as a lot consideration as a result of they’re within the NFC South, however they’ve wins towards the Commanders, Lions, Eagles and Chargers. They’re going to be a troublesome out in the event that they attain the playoffs.

Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

Odds: To make playoffs: 86.5% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 2.6%

Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay on five-straight scoring drives to shut out a 40-17 win and to maintain momentum atop the NFC South.

Tampa has received 4 consecutive video games whereas LA has dropped three of its final 4 video games ⤵️https://t.co/OGNPQvWi1P pic.twitter.com/IQFYgnlTn3

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 16, 2024

This league might be as tight as it’s unforgiving. The Rams have received seven of 9 to take over the NFC West lead and knock the Seahawks out of the playoff image. That’s a troublesome break for Seattle, as its four-game profitable streak was snapped with a loss to the Packers. It’s nonetheless trying just like the division will come all the way down to the regular-season finale between the Rams and Seahawks.

Remaining schedule: at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

Odds: To make playoffs: 55.4% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 1.8%

The Vikings, who already clinched a playoff spot and host the Bears on Monday night time, have received six of their previous seven conferences towards their NFC North rival. However their final three losses within the collection have come at dwelling. After the Bears practically surprised the Vikings in Week 12, scoring 11 factors within the ultimate 22 seconds to pressure time beyond regulation, the Vikings ought to certainly be ready to keep away from a disastrous loss.

Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

Odds: To make playoffs: 100% | To earn bye: 6.9% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 5.8%

The Packers simply made a reasonably good Seahawks workforce look fully overmatched in their very own constructing, which is critical as a result of they’re going to need to win on the street to make a playoff run. They’ve additionally overwhelmed the Rams and Seahawks on the street, so the Packers received’t care who wins the NFC West if that winds up being their wild-card matchup.

Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

Odds: To make playoffs: 99.9% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 5.5%

The Commanders held on for expensive life after third-string QB Spencer Rattler practically rallied the Saints from a 17-0 deficit, which received’t alleviate a few of their defensive considerations. The Commanders are 0-4 towards groups within the playoff discipline and have yet one more probability to show themselves subsequent week towards the Eagles. It’ll be a three-week thrill trip because the Commanders attempt to hold on to their wild-card spot.

Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

Odds: To make playoffs: 86.9% | To earn bye: 0% | To win Tremendous Bowl: 1.6%

• Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
• Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
• Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
• San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
• Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
• New Orleans Saints (5-9)

Eradicated

• Chicago Bears (4-9)
• Carolina Panthers (3-11)
• New York Giants (2-12)

(Photograph of Jalen Hurts: Mitchell Leff / Getty Photographs)