The Detroit Lions' pursuit of securing home-field advantage in the NFC became more favorable following the outcomes in Week 16. Currently, the Lions hold a full game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles, who suffered a setback against the Washington Commanders in a game without quarterback Jalen Hurts. This unexpected loss for the NFC East leaders, coupled with the Los Angeles Rams' victory over the New York Jets, has narrowed the field of potential playoff contenders in the NFC to nine teams. Notably, the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons remain on the outskirts of the playoff race, vying for positions within the seven-team postseason bracket.

In the AFC, the wild-card race intensified as the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals both emerged victorious on Sunday, maintaining their playoff aspirations as they head into Week 17. The Miami Dolphins have the opportunity to join Indianapolis and Cincinnati with a record of 7-8 should they secure a win against the San Francisco 49ers, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention. As the division leaders, the Kansas City Chiefs (14-1), Buffalo Bills (11-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5), and Houston Texans (9-6) highlight the competitive landscape of the AFC. The wild-card race features teams including the Baltimore Ravens (10-5), Los Angeles Chargers (9-6), and Denver Broncos (9-6), while the Colts, Bengals, and Dolphins aim to disrupt the current rankings.

The Colts achieved a significant win against the Tennessee Titans, while the Bengals took control of their matchup against the Cleveland Browns, keeping their wild-card hopes alive. Notably, the Dolphins need to secure a win over the 49ers to bolster their chances. However, all three teams—Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Miami—will need the Chargers and Broncos to falter in their upcoming games to have a realistic chance of making the playoffs. Cincinnati's path offers the greatest potential in Week 17, as they are set to face the Broncos. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills remain mathematically in the race for the No. 1 seed, requiring a victory over the New England Patriots and a series of losses for the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the NFC, the Lions solidified their position as the conference leaders following a victory over the Chicago Bears, boosting their record to 13-2. They are now a complete game ahead of the Eagles, who are 12-3. The Washington Commanders captured a crucial win, mounting a comeback against the Eagles, which eliminated several teams from playoff contention, including the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. With the NFC West title at stake, the Rams will continue their push against the Seahawks, who face a formidable challenge against the Minnesota Vikings in a late-afternoon matchup. As the playoff picture continues to evolve, teams are strategizing and adjusting in anticipation of the final weeks of the regular season.