Minor NFL Transactions: 1/5/22
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: S James Wiggins
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: TE Parker Hesse
- Released: QB Matt Barkley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
- Placed on IR: LT Cameron Erving, WR Terrace Marshall
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: TE Jesper Horsted
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Dolphins’ practice squad: RB Dexter Williams
- Promoted: QB Nick Mullens
- Placed on IR: QB Baker Mayfield (story), LB Sione Takitaki
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated for return: TE Blake Jarwin
- Placed on IR: WR Michael Gallup (story)
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: QB Teddy Bridgewater, DB Kareem Jackson, G Dalton Risner
- Released: OLB Pita Taumoepenu
Green Bay Packers
- Designated for return: C Josh Myers
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: LB Will Compton, LB Justin March-Lillard (story)
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: WR J.J. Koski
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: RB Patrick Laird
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: QB Kyle Sloter
New Orleans Saints
- Designated for return: TE Garrett Griffin
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: LB Elerson Smith
New York Jets
- Promoted: DE Jabari Zuniga
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: CB Emmanuel Moseley, WR Mohamed Sanu, S Tavon Wilson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated for return: G Aaron Stinnie
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Seahawks’ practice squad: TE Ryan Izzo
- Designated for return: RB Derrick Henry (story)
- Released: DB Chris Jones, LB Joseph Jones
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/4/22
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Released: K Blake Haubeil, G Patrick Omameh, QB Jordan Ta’amu
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DB Dee Virgin
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Nick Guggemos, RB Artavis Pierce
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Josiah Bronson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT Shon Coleman
Green Bay Packers
- Released: OL Jon Dietzen, CB Jayson Stanley
New Orleans Saints
- Released: RB Josh Adams
New York Jets
- Released: LB LaRoy Reynolds
Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order
Eleven teams have punched their ticket to the playoffs with one week to go in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Colts, 49ers, Chargers, Saints, Raiders, Steelers, and (technically) Ravens all still have a shot. If you’re a fan of one of the other 14 teams, this list may be of equal interest to you. That is, if your team still owns their original first-round pick.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record.
As we look ahead to Week 18, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-14
- Detroit Lions: 2-13-1
- Houston Texans: 4-12
- New York Jets: 4-12
- New York Giants: 4-12
- Carolina Panthers: 5-11
- New York Jets (via Seahawks)
- New York Giants (via Bears)
- Washington Football Team: 6-10
- Atlanta Falcons: 7-9
- Denver Broncos: 7-9
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-9
- Cleveland Browns: 7-9
- Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
- New Orleans Saints: 8-8
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-8
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7-1
- Las Vegas Raiders: 9-7
- Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7*
- Los Angeles Chargers: 9-7*
- Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
- Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
- New England Patriots*
- Arizona Cardinals: 10-5*
- Buffalo Bills: 10-6*
- Cincinnati Bengals: 10-6*
- Dallas Cowboys: 11-5*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12-4*
- Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5*
- Detroit Lions (via Rams): 12-4*
- Tennessee Titans: 11-5*
- Green Bay Packers: 13-3*
* = Playoffs
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/3/22
Here are Monday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Sam Tecklenburg, DE Darryl Johnson, C Matt Paradis
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jesper Horsted, LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Darius Phillips (remains on IR), WR Auden Tate (remains on IR)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jordan Evans
Denver Broncos
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Brandon McManus, P Sam Martin
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Michael Brockers, WR Josh Reynolds, OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, TE Brock Wright
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Austin Bryant, T Taylor Decker, T Penei Sewell
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB Rodney Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chauncey Rivers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jaire Alexander, OT Dennis Kelly, DB Darnell Savage, WR David Moore
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Justin Reid
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Malik Jefferson
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB James Morgan, TE Eli Wolf
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Mike Remmers (remains on IR)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Will Compton, LB Patrick Onwuasor
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OG Lester Cotton, OG Jeremiah Poutasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Andrew Brown, LB Kenneth Murray
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais (remains on IR)
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: NT John Jenkins, WR Preston Williams
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: C Spencer Pulley, DT Durval Queiroz Neto
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Patrick Jones II
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Camryn Bynum, G Ezra Cleveland, T Christian Darrisaw, LB Eric Kendricks, T Brian O’Neill
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Myles Bryant
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: T William Sherman
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Wil Lutz, OL Landon Young
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jalen Dalton (from IR)
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Kyle Phillips
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Andre Chachere
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Genard Avery, DT Fletcher Cox, DB Marcus Epps, G Nate Herbig, RB Jordan Howard, C Jason Kelce, DB Avonte Maddox, DB Rodney McLeod, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton, TE Jack Stoll
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Damion Willis
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raheem Mostert (from IR), CB K’Waun Williams, DB Jimmie Ward
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Alton Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Julio Jones, LB Jayon Brown, OT Kendall Lamm
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT Paul Adams
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Samuel Cosmi, CB Darryl Roberts
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Beau Benzschawel
Week 17 Playoffs Update
The playoff picture is starting to solidify. With the conclusion of Sunday’s games, 6 divisions have been decided and 2 wild card spots have been claimed. Here’s where everyone stands with one week (and one game tomorrow) left to go (not including the potential for any tie game results):
AFC
Eliminated: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14), Houston Texans (4-12), New York Jets (4-12), Denver Broncos (7-9), Cleveland Browns (7-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8)
- Tennessee Titans (11-5) – Clinched AFC South. Can clinch a first round bye with a win over the Texans in Houston or a Chiefs loss and a Bengals loss. Can finish as low as the 3rd Seed.
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) – Clinched AFC West. Can clinch a first round bye with a Titans loss and a win over the Broncos in Denver. Can finish as low as the 4th seed.
- Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) – Clinched AFC North. Can clinch a first round bye with a Titans loss, a Chiefs loss, and a win over the Browns in Cleveland. Can finish as low as the 4th Seed.
- Buffalo Bills (10-6) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch AFC East with a win over the Jets in Buffalo or a Patriots loss. With a win, can finish as high as the 2nd Seed and as low as the 4th Seed. With a loss, can finish as high as the 4th Seed and as low as the 7th Seed.
- New England Patriots (10-6) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch AFC East with a Bills loss and a win over the Dolphins in Miami. Can clinch a first round bye with a win over the Dolphins, a Bills loss, a Titans loss, and a Chiefs loss. With a loss, can finish as low as the 6th Seed.
- Indianapolis Colts (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville. With a win, can finish as high as the 5th Seed and as low as the 6th Seed. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Jaguars.
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Raiders in Las Vegas. With a win, can finish as high as the 5th Seed and as low as the 7th Seed. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Raiders.
- Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Chargers in Las Vegas or with a Colts loss and a Steelers loss (either tomorrow vs the Browns or next Sunday at the Ravens). With a win, can finish as high as the 5th Seed and as low as the 6th Seed. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss and a Colts win or a loss and two Steelers wins.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) – Can clinch the 7th Seed with a win over the Browns in Pittsburgh (tomorrow), a win over the Ravens in Baltimore, and a Colts loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Browns (tomorrow) or a loss to the Ravens or a Colts win.
- Miami Dolphins (8-8) – Eliminated.
- Baltimore Ravens (8-8) – Can clinch the 7th Seed with a win over the Steelers in Baltimore, a Colts loss, a Dolphins loss, and a Chargers loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Steelers or a Colts win or a Dolphins win or a Chargers win.
NFC
Eliminated: Detroit Lions (2-13-1), New York Giants (4-12), Carolina Panthers (5-11), Seattle Seahawks (6-10), Chicago Bears (6-10), Washington Football Team (6-10), Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
- Green Bay Packers (13-3) – Clinched first round bye.
- Los Angeles Rams (12-4) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch NFC West with a win over the 49ers in Los Angeles or a Cardinals loss. Can clinch the 2nd Seed with a win. With a loss, can finish as high as the 2nd Seed and as low as the 5th Seed.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) – Clinched NFC South. Can clinch the 2nd Seed with a win over the Panthers in Tampa Bay, a Rams loss, and a Cardinals loss. Can clinch the 3rd Seed, at worst, with a Cowboys loss. Otherwise, clinched the 4th Seed, at worst.
- Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – Clinched the NFC East. Can clinch the 2nd Seed with a win over the Eagles in Philadelphia, a Rams loss, and a Buccaneers loss. Can clinch the 3rd Seed with a win over the Eagles and a Rams loss. Otherwise, clinched the 4th Seed, at worst
- Arizona Cardinals (11-5) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Seahawks in Arizona and a Rams loss. With a win, can finish as high as the 2nd Seed and as low as the 5th Seed (cannot finish as the 4th Seed).
- San Francisco 49ers (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Rams in Los Angeles or a Saints loss. Can clinch the 6th seed with a win over the Rams or an Eagles loss and a Saints loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Rams and a Saints win.
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch the 6th Seed with a win over the Cowboys in Philadelphia and a 49ers loss or a 49ers loss and a Saints win. Otherwise, clinched 7th Seed, at worst.
- New Orleans Saints (8-8) – Can clinch the 7th Seed with a win over the Falcons in Atlanta and a 49ers loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Falcons or a 49ers win.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: LB Tanner Vallejo, LB Ezekiel Turner
- Released: P Ryan Winslow
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Matt Barkley
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: CB Xavier Crawford, S Teez Tabor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return: OG Xavier Su’a-Filo
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated for return: WR Noah Brown, WR T.J. Vasher, OT Josh Ball
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: OT Cole Van Lanen
- Activated from IR: CB Jaire Alexander
Houston Texans
- Extended: S Grayland Arnold
- Placed on IR: OG Cole Turner, WR Phillip Dorsett
Kansas City Chiefs
- Designated for return: RB Jerick McKinnon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Justin March-Lillard, LB Kyle Wilber
- Designated for return: TE Derek Carrier
Los Angeles Chargers
- Designated for return: LB Kyler Fackrell, S Mark Webb
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: LB Brennan Scarlett
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: QB Kyle Sloter
- Designated for return: TE Ben Ellefson
- Placed on IR: WR Adam Thielen
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: LB Harvey Langi
New York Giants
- Designated for return: LB Trent Harris
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Javin White
Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order
With two weeks to go, six NFL teams have formally clinched their playoff spot while eight teams (Seahawks, Giants, Bears, Panthers, Texans, Lions, Jets, and Jaguars) have been mathematically eliminated. Somehow, there is still a path for the 6-9 Washington Football Team to make the postseason, even though they’re currently slated to pick No. 9 overall in April.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record.
As we close out the calendar year and the 2021 regular season, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-13
2. Detroit Lions: 2-12-1
3. Houston Texans: 4-11
4. New York Jets: 4-11
5. New York Giants: 4-11
6. New York Jets (via Seahawks)
7. Carolina Panthers: 5-10
8. New York Giants (via Bears)
9. Washington Football Team: 6-9
10. Atlanta Falcons: 7-8
11. Denver Broncos: 7-8
12. Minnesota Vikings: 7-8
13. New Orleans Saints: 7-8
14. Cleveland Browns: 7-8
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-7-1
16. Los Angeles Chargers: 8-7
17. Las Vegas Raiders: 8-7
18. Baltimore Ravens: 8-7
19. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)*
20. Philadelphia Eagles: 8-7*
21. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
22. New England Patriots*
23. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
24. Arizona Cardinals: 10-5*
25. Buffalo Bills: 9-6*
26. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-6*
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11-4*
28. Detroit Lions (via Rams): 11-4*
29. Tennessee Titans: 10-5*
30. Dallas Cowboys: 11-4*
31. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-4*
32. Green Bay Packers: 12-3*
* = Playoffs
Bears’ Matt Nagy Expects To Finish Season
It doesn’t seem likely that Matt Nagy will return as the Bears’ head coach in 2022. But, for the time being, Nagy is operating under the assumption that he’ll remain in place through the final two games of this season (Twitter link via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune). 
[RELATED: NFL To Allow HC Interviews Starting Tuesday]
The league recently voted to allow head coaching interviews starting tomorrow, Dec. 28th. The Jaguars quickly took advantage of the new rule by firing Urban Meyer, leading many to speculate that Nagy could go as soon as this week. After all, chairman George McCaskey is already doing groundwork on candidates and even considering moving on from GM Ryan Pace.
Nagy may have earned a temporary reprieve on Sunday as the Bears beat the Seahawks, 25-24. After Nick Foles‘ game-tying touchdown drive, Nagy’s gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion paid off. It’s hard to imagine that the victory — win No. 5 for the Bears this year — will have a real impact on Nagy’s standing beyond this year. But, in theory, it could give Nagy another two games at the helm.
When/if Nagy is fired, the Bears could consider the likes of Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, and Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy for the role.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/25-12/26/21
Here are the NFL moves from Christmas and today:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: DE Josh Mauro, DB Kevin Peterson, P Ryan Winslow, WR Greg Dortch
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: LB Daren Bates
- Promoted: WR Marvin Hall
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: LB Daelin Hayes
- Promoted: QB Kenji Bahar, DB Robert Jackson, DB Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, NT Isaiah Mack, G/DT Reginald McKenzie, TE Tony Poljan, DB Jordan Richards, LB Joe Thomas, DB Daryl Worley
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: DT Eli Ankou
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: QB Sam Darnold
- Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, DB Madre Harper, DT Frank Herron, G Mike Horton, TE Stephen Sullivan
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DB Duke Shelley
- Promoted: DE Ledarius Mack, WR Dazz Newsome, DB Dee Virgin, WR Nsimba Webster, QB Ryan Willis
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, DT Mike Daniels, DE Noah Spence, WR Trent Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: DB Maurice Canady, DB Donovan Wilson
- Promoted: DB Kyron Brown, DB Darian Thompson
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: T Quinn Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: LB Tavante Beckett, LB Curtis Bolton, TE Shane Zylstra
- Placed on IR: DB Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: S Innis Gaines
Houston Texans
- Extended: DE Ron’Dell Carter
- Activated from IR: WR Danny Amendola, DE DeMarcus Walker
- Promoted: WR Jalen Camp, DT Michael Dwumfour, K Dominik Eberle, G Jake Eldrenkamp, T Carson Green, DE Demone Harris, TE Paul Quessenberry, RB Jaylen Samuels, T Jordan Steckler, LB Connor Strachan, LB Josh Watson, S T.J. Green
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: DB Anthony Chesley, WR Keke Coutee, G Carter O’Donnell, DB Brian Poole, DB Will Redmond, DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell, WR Josh Hammond, DB Brandon Rusnak
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, DB Josh Jackson, P Johnny Townsend
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: DB Tyree Gillespie
- Promoted: G Lester Cotton, DB Kavon Frazier, WR Tyron Johnson, NT Damion Square, QB Nathan Peterman, WR Dillon Stoner
- Placed on IR: DB Johnathan Abram
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Michael Bandy, RB Darius Bradwell, NT Andrew Brown, DB Ben Deluca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Maurice Ffrench, DT Forrest Merrill, WR Jason Moore
- Placed on IR: TE Donald Parham
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/NFI: RB Cam Akers
- Activated from IR: RB Buddy Howell
- Promoted: DB Grant Haley, WR Brandon Powell
- Released: LB Jamir Jones, RB Mekhi Sargent
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: LB Josh Uche
- Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, DB D’Angelo Ross, WR Kristian Wilkerson
New York Giants
- Promoted: DB Darqueze Dennard, DL David Moa, CB Aaron Robinson, WR David Sill V, OL Isaiah Wilson
New York Jets
- Promoted: OL Isaiah Williams, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, LB LaRoy Reynolds, DL Ronald Blair, S Elijah Benton, DL Freedom Akinmoladun
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Jared Mayden
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: P Corliss Waitman
- Activated from IR: C J.C. Hassenauer
- Promoted: P Cameron Nizialek, OL Rashaad Coward, RB Trey Edmunds, LB John Simon
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: DT Myles Adams, S Josh Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, OLB Edmond Robinson, WR Cody Thompson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: RB Kenjon Barner, WR Cyril Grayson, P Sterling Hofrichter, DL Benning Potoa’e
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: CB D.J. Hayden, RB Wendell Smallwood, LB De’Jon Harris, DB Jeremy Reaves
Four NFC Playoff Spots Taken Today, More TBD
The NFC playoff picture is starting to become more and more clear. Green Bay was the first to clinch a playoff spot when they won the NFC North as a result of their win over the Ravens last week. Today, four more teams in the NFC were able to make sure their seasons extend past Week 18.
Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South for the first time since 2007 with a 32-6 win over the Panthers. While the NFC West does not have a champion yet, they clinched two playoff spots today as a result of the Rams 30-23 win over the Vikings. The Cardinals have had opportunities to clinch a playoff spot in their last three games, but have been unable to do it themselves, losing all three games to the Rams, Lions, and Colts. The Vikings’ loss ensures that the Cardinals will, at worst, finish in a wild card spot. Lastly, and most peculiarly, the Cowboys were able to clinch the NFC East as a result of the AFC West contest between the Raiders and Broncos. Due to the Raiders victory over the Broncos, the Cowboys now hold a strength-of-victory tiebreaker over the Eagles, securing at least one home playoff game in January.
This leaves two wild card spots available in the NFC between six teams still in contention. The Lions (2-12-1), Giants (4-11), Seahawks (5-10), Bears (5-10), and Panthers (5-10) have already been eliminated from the playoffs. The teams still vying for those last two spots are the 49ers (8-7), Eagles (8-7), Saints (7-7, play tomorrow night), Vikings (7-8), Falcons (7-8), and Football Team (6-8, playing tonight). The only division that hasn’t been decided is the NFC West, where the playoff-bound Rams and Cardinals will race for a home playoff game.
The other conference in professional football is much more wide open. To date, the only team to clinch a playoff spot is the Chiefs, who clinched the AFC West today with a convincing 36-10 win over the Steelers. Only three teams have been eliminated from playoff contention: the Jaguars (2-13), the Texans (4-11), and the Jets (4-11).
The AFC East is currently a race between the Bills (9-6), Patriots (9-6) and Dolphins (7-7), who play tomorrow night and are looking to extend their six-game win streak. If the Dolphins were to lose tomorrow night, they would still be in the running for a wild card spot, but they would not be able to win the AFC East, since the Bills own the head-to-head tiebreaker over them.
The AFC South is a bit more cut-and-dry, coming down to the Titans (10-5) and Colts (9-6). The Titans hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Indianapolis, so a single win in their finals two games (vs Dolphins, @ Texans) would clinch the division. The Colts would need Tennessee to lose both games and win their final two (vs Raiders, @ Jaguars) to win the division.
The AFC North is still completely up in the air. All four teams are still in contention to win the division. The Bengals (9-6) have swept the Ravens and Steelers, so they hold the head-to-head tie breaker over both teams. Due to their two win difference in record over the Browns, Cincinnati can clinch the division with a single win in its final two games (vs Chiefs, @ Browns). Even if the Bengals lose both final games, they could clinch the North if each other team in the division splits their final two. Every other team in the division can win the North if the Bengals lose their final two games and they win their own final two. The second-place Ravens (8-7) face the Rams (11-4) and Steelers, the third-place Steelers (7-7-1) face the Browns and Ravens, and the fourth-place Browns (7-8) finish with the Steelers and Bengals.
Although the winner of the AFC West has already been determined, the remaining three teams are all still eligible to reach the postseason. The Chargers (8-7) and Raiders (8-7) likely control their own destinies, but the Broncos (7-8) would need some assistance to get in, even if they won their two remaining games.
With the second year of expanded playoffs and the first year of an extra regular season out-of-conference game, the 2021 NFL season is set up for an exciting finish. As of the writing of this post, only 2 of the 34 remaining games of the the 2021 regular season will have no direct effect on the postseason. Those two games in Week 17 between the Giants-Bears and the Lions-Seahawks will only influence strength-of-victory tiebreakers for teams still in the hunt. Besides those, every remaining game will have implications for playoff clinching or playoff seeding. Buckle up and stay tuned for a nail-biting conclusion to the regular season.