NFL playoff bracket 2022: Updated AFC, NFC seeds if season ended after Week 16

Joe Rivera

NFL playoff bracket 2022: Updated AFC, NFC seeds if season ended after Week 16 image

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

SeedTeamW-LClinched playoff berth?Clinched division
1Bills12-3YesYes (AFC East)
2Chiefs12-3YesYes (AFC West)
3Bengals11-4YesNo
4Jaguars7-8NoNo
5Ravens10-5Yes
6Chargers8-6No
7Dolphins8-7No

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:

SeedTeamW-LClinched playoff berth?Clinched division?
1Eagles13-2YesNo
2Vikings12-3YesYes (NFC North)
349ers11-4YesYes (NFC West)
4Buccaneers7-8NoNo
5Cowboys11-4Yes
6Giants8-6-1No
7Commanders7-7-1No

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)

Joe Rivera