As the 2024 NFL Playoffs approach, the competition for postseason spots intensifies each week. The Baltimore Ravens secured at least a wild-card berth following their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, which also resulted in a tie atop the AFC North. This exciting development sets the stage for a decisive battle in the coming weeks, as teams vie for both division titles and wild-card positions.

Although no teams clinched playoff spots during action on Sunday, significant movement occurred in the standings. The Los Angeles Rams ascended to the lead in the NFC West, while the Atlanta Falcons managed to keep pace in the NFC South. Looking ahead to Monday night, the Green Bay Packers have an opportunity to secure a wild-card berth, remaining within the conversation for the NFC North title, especially after Detroit's recent success.

The results from Week 16 significantly impacted the playoff landscape, complicating the wild-card race. The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos for the second time this season, thus holding the tiebreaker advantage. Meanwhile, Baltimore's victory over Pittsburgh allowed them to avoid a season sweep, although the Steelers currently retain a higher win percentage in AFC games. In the hunt for the playoffs, the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals each celebrated victories, yet the Chargers' win pushed their postseason aspirations to the brink, as they rely on further success and help from other teams. On the other end of the standings, the New England Patriots officially position themselves for the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft after their struggles this season.

In the NFC, the division leaders are the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit notably dominated the Chicago Bears, aided by Philadelphia’s loss to the Washington Commanders, which occurred following the early exit of quarterback Jalen Hurts due to a concussion. This situation has allowed the Lions to maintain a game lead over the Eagles. With a playoff spot already clinched, the Minnesota Vikings continued their strong performance by defeating the Seattle Seahawks, keeping them tied with Detroit for the NFC's best record, potentially culminating in an exciting showdown in Week 18.

The race for the wild-card spots in the NFC also includes the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders, both of whom are in strong positions to secure their postseason berths. The Packers control their destiny and can clinch a wild-card spot with a victory against the struggling New Orleans Saints on Monday night, further fueled by the competitive landscape in the NFC North, where they continue to remain relevant.

The upcoming matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys holds implications for the NFC South, as the Buccaneers aim to maintain their division lead. While not directly impacting the playoff race, the performance of these teams serves as an indicator of their capabilities heading into the final stretch of the season.