Thanks in part to the NFL’s expanded playoff field, Week 17 featured seven postseason spots yet to be clinched. Talk about high drama — the Browns looking for their first playoff berth since 2002, Mitchell Trubisky trying to extend his Chicago tenure, the NFC’s No. 1 seed and lone bye still up for grabs.
Maybe the biggest disappointment of the day was the Dolphins, who just needed a win to secure a playoff berth but instead allowed the Colts to control their own destiny after Miami was blown out by a Bills team without much to play for. In the NFC East, the Giants and Cowboys played a barnburner, and the final standings will come down to Washington’s result against Philadelphia on “Sunday Night Football.”
The Ravens and Browns didn’t squander their chances at the playoffs, though. Needing wins to get in, both cruised to victories, with Baltimore winning by so much that it could rest Lamar Jackson for much of the second half against the Bengals. Cleveland was helped by Pittsburgh resting Ben Roethlisberger and other starters, but the Browns weren’t going to complain.
Below is the full NFL playoff bracket for 2021 (as of 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 3), plus a quick look at the wild-card matchups.
NFL playoff bracket 2021
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The full playoff bracket will be revealed following “Sunday Night Football” between the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles. Above, you can see how the bracket will look, with one team from each conference receiving a bye. Here’s how the matchups currently shape up after the 1 p.m. ET games Sunday:
AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs (bye)
2. Buffalo Bills vs. 7. Miami Dolphins/Indianapolis Colts
3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 6. Cleveland Browns
4. Tennessee Titans vs. 5. Baltimore Ravens
NFC
1. Green Bay Packers (bye)
2. New Orleans Saints vs. 7. Chicago Bears
3. Seattle Seahawks vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams
4. Washington Football Team/New York Giants vs. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Who’s in the NFL playoffs 2021?
In the NFL’s expanded playoff field of 14 teams, seven entered Week 17 having already clinched a playoff spot, while seven postseason places were still up for grabs.
Below is the NFL playoff field for 2021, currently updated following the conclusion of the 1 p.m. ET games on Sunday, Jan. 3. The standings will continue to be updated through Sunday night. The AFC’s No. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 seeds are set in stone, while only the NFC’s No. 5 seed is locked after the early-afternoon games.
AFC standings
In the hunt: Miami Dolphins (10-6) – The Dolphins move back into the No. 7 spot if the Colts lose to the Jaguars at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Eliminated: Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars
NFC standings
In the hunt: Cardinals (8-7), Giants (6-10)
Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, San Franciso 49ers, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons
AFC playoff matchups
1. Kansas City Chiefs (first-round bye)
The Chiefs clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win in Week 16. Kansas City chose to rest Patrick Mahomes and some other high-profile starters in Week 17 against the Chargers, giving those players two weeks off from game action before playing the lowest-remaining seed in the divisional round.
2. Buffalo Bills vs. 7. Miami Dolphins/Indianapolis Colts
Many expected Buffalo to rest starters in Week 17, but Josh Allen played the first half and threw three touchdowns. Two of those were to Isaiah McKenzie, who also had an 84-yard punt return touchdown. The Bills are as hot as any team in football and could be on a collision course to play Kansas City in the AFC championship game. The Dolphins get in if the Colts lose at 4:25 p.m. ET, but if Indianapolis wins, it’s in.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 6. Cleveland Browns
The Steelers rested Ben Roethlisberger and some other starters in Week 17, leading to a loss to Cleveland and staying in the No. 3 spot. That’ll give Pittsburgh a first-round home game with a rested quarterback, which should be enough to make a strong defense and receiving corps the favorites to advance. It’ll be a Week 17 rematch but with Pittsburgh playing its big guns.
4. Tennessee Titans/Indianapolis Colts vs. 5. Baltimore Ravens
If the Titans win at 4:25 p.m. ET against the Texans in Week 17, they’ll win the AFC South and play the Ravens here. A Titans loss and Colts win would push Indianaoplis into this spot. Miami’s loss in the early window clinched a playoff berth for the Titans no matter what.
NFC playoff matchups
1. Green Bay Packers (first-round bye)
The Packers need a win in the late-afternoon window Sunday to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC and thus the conference’s lone bye. The Saints and Seahawks could both ascend to this spot depending on the 4:25 p.m. ET results.
2. New Orleans Saints vs. 7. Bears/Rams/Cardinals
The No. 7 seed could be the Bears, Rams or Cardinals depending on 4:25 p.m. ET results. Entering the late afternoon, it’s the Bears.
3. Seattle Seahawks vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams/Bears/Cardinals
The Rams lock up the No. 6 seed with a win over the Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. Seattle is locked in the No. 3 seed already.
4. Washington Football Team/New York Giants vs. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Falcons in Week 17 to clinch the No. 5 seed in the NFC. Washington will win the NFC East and be the No. 4 if it wins on Sunday night against the Eagles. Tampa Bay may have had a Phyrric victory, though, as star receiver Mike Evans appeared to suffer a serious left knee injury against Atlanta.
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