Nearly a third of the NFL is looking for a post-Christmas miracle.
Entering the primetime games in Week 16, there are 10 teams outside of playoff seeding still in the hunt for a berth — and all of them are under .500.
The Patriots, Jets, Titans, Steelers and Raiders are still alive in the AFC with all of their Week 16 matchups played. Of those teams, the Raiders stand the biggest outside chance at 6-9 entering Week 17 — and they still have a chance after the Dolphins lost to the Packers on Christmas.
The equally busy NFC features the Seahawks, Lions, Packers, Panthers and Saints searching for one (or two, or three) few more presents under the tree.
MORE: NFL playoff picture — Updated AFC, NFC scenarios for Week 16
Four divisions and six playoff spots are still up for grabs entering Christmas night. Here's how the 2022 NFL playoff brackets would shape up if the season ended right now:
NFL playoff bracket 2022
If the season ended today (after Week 16), here's how the AFC seeding would look:
AFC standings
| Seed | Team | W-L | Clinched playoff berth? | Clinched division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bills | 12-3 | Yes | Yes (AFC East) |
| 2 | Chiefs | 12-3 | Yes | Yes (AFC West) |
| 3 | Bengals | 11-4 | Yes | No |
| 4 | Jaguars | 7-8 | No | No |
| 5 | Ravens | 10-5 | Yes | — |
| 6 | Chargers | 8-6 | No | — |
| 7 | Dolphins | 8-7 | No | — |
In the hunt:
- Patriots (7-8)
- Jets (7-8)
- Titans (7-8)
- Steelers (7-8)
- Raiders (6-9)
If the season ended today, the AFC wild-card weekend matchups would be:
— Bills (1) first-round bye
— Dolphins (7) at Chiefs (2)
— Chargers (6) at Bengals (3)
— Ravens (5) at Jaguars (4)
NFC standings
If the season ended today, here's how the NFC seeding would look:
| Seed | Team | W-L | Clinched playoff berth? | Clinched division? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagles | 13-2 | Yes | No |
| 2 | Vikings | 12-3 | Yes | Yes (NFC North) |
| 3 | 49ers | 11-4 | Yes | Yes (NFC West) |
| 4 | Buccaneers | 7-8 | No | No |
| 5 | Cowboys | 11-4 | Yes | — |
| 6 | Giants | 8-6-1 | No | — |
| 7 | Commanders | 7-7-1 | No | — |
In the hunt:
- Seahawks (7-8)
- Lions (7-8)
- Packers (7-8)
If the season ended today, the NFC wild-card weekend matchups would be:
— Eagles (1) first-round bye
— Commanders (7) at Vikings (2)
— Giants (6) at 49ers (3)
— Cowboys (5) at Buccaneers (4)
