New year, same teams.
With the playoffs just around the corner, of the 14 teams currently lined up with a playoff spot, nine were in the dance in 2021. If the current playoff field stands, the Jaguars, Chargers, Vikings, Giants and Seahawks have an opportunity at the Lombardi Trophy in February.
That, though, is tenuous: Three divisions have yet to be locked up, while the bottom of the NFC bracket is coming down to Week 18 to decide. For the Packers, it's win-and-in in Week 18; that would be a miraculous finish after their playoff hopes were on life support at 4-8.
MORE: NFL playoff picture — Updated AFC, NFC scenarios for Week 16
The NFL regular season is coming down to one last week. Here's how the playoff picture would look if the season ended right now:
NFL playoff bracket 2022
If the season ended today (after Week 17), here's how the AFC seeding would look:
AFC standings
| Seed | Team | W-L | Clinched playoff berth? | Clinched division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs | 13-3 | Yes | Yes (AFC West) |
| 2 | Bills | 12-3 | Yes | Yes (AFC East) |
| 3 | Bengals | 11-4 | Yes | No |
| 4 | Jaguars | 8-8 | No | No |
| 5 | Ravens | 10-5 | Yes | — |
| 6 | Chargers | 9-6 | Yes | — |
| 7 | Patriots | 8-8 | No | — |
In the hunt:
- Dolphins (8-8)
- Titans (7-8)
- Steelers (7-8)
If the season ended today, the AFC wild-card weekend matchups would be:
— Chiefs (1) first-round bye
— Dolphins (7) at Bills (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 | 13-3 | Yes | No |
| 2 | 49ers | 12-4 | Yes | Yes (NFC West) |
| 3 | Vikings | 12-4 | Yes | Yes (NFC North) |
| 4 | Buccaneers | 8-8 | Yes | Yes (NFC South) |
| 5 | Cowboys | 12-4 | Yes | — |
| 6 | Giants | 9-6-1 | Yes | — |
| 7 | Seahawks | 8-8 | No | — |
In the hunt:
- Lions (8-8)
- Packers (8-8)
If the season ended today, the NFC wild-card weekend matchups would be:
— Eagles (1) first-round bye
— Seahawks (7) at 49ers (2)
— Giants (6) at Vikings (3)
— Cowboys (5) at Buccaneers (4)