Week 15 of the NFL saw half of the playoff berths confirmed, with just seven left open for other teams to secure their spots. NFL Week 16 could well see the playoff picture further clarified with several other teams able to clinch their spots if results go the right way.

However, things didn’t start that way in the AFC East. With the Kansas City Chiefs already secured in top spot in that division, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers met in a crucial match that could have seen the Broncos clinch their spot in the playoffs.

The Chargers, however, levelled their records with a 34-27 win, which saw them leapfrog the Broncos in their division and the playoff seedings.

It’s not too desperate a situation for the Broncos, however, as the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals must all win out and hope the Broncos lose both their remaining games to stand any chance of pipping Denver to the final playoff spot. 

There was a crucial game in the nation’s capital, with the Commanders edging out the Eagles in a classic contest in the NFC East. It all went wrong for the Eagles after QB Jalen Hurts went down with a concussion and was ruled out of the game.

His absence at QB was keenly felt as the Commanders earned the 36-33 win despite committing four turnovers.

That win for the Commanders, combined with the Rams 19-9 win over the Jets, saw the Cowboys, Cardinals, 49ers and Saints officially ruled out of the playoffs in the NFC, regardless of their result this week. 

The Ravens clinched a playoff spot and drew level with the Steelers in the AFC North after a 34-17 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. They will now be battling with the Steelers to win that division, take a higher seeding in the playoff, and have the chance to play at least one home game in the postseason.

The battling Patriots gave the Bills a scare, while the Panthers ended the Cardinals’ chances of the postseason with a 36-30 victory. 

The Bucs suffered a damaging loss to Dallas, meaning they dropped out of the playoffs and the top spot in the NFC South, with the Falcons taking over at the top thanks to a big win over the Giants.

Finally, Green Bay ensured their spot in the playoffs with a comfortable win on Monday Night against the New Orleans Saints.

As always, you can enjoy the exciting climax to the NFL season with a host of betting markets available across all games at bet365 Sport.

Always remember to gamble responsibly.

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Let’s now recap how all the NFL Week 16 results panned out this weekend. 

NFL Week 16 Results – Key wins for Ravens, Falcons, Lions, Rams and Commanders in Decisive Week of Action!

• Denver Broncos (9-6) 27-34 Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
• Houston Texans (9-6) 19-27 Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) 17-34 Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
• New York Giants (2-13) 7-34 Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
• Arizona Cardinals (7-8) 30-36 Carolina Panthers (4-11)
• Detroit Lions (13-2) 34-17 Chicago Bears (4-11)
• Tennessee Titans (3-12) 30-38 Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
• Los Angeles Rams (9-6) 19-9 New York Jets (4-11)
• Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) 33-36 Washington Commanders (10-5)
• Cleveland Browns (3-12) 6-24 Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
• Minnesota Vikings (13-2) 27-24 Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
• New England Patriots (3-12) 21-24 Buffalo Bills (12-3)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) 14-19 Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
• San Francisco 49ers (6-9) 17-29 Miami Dolphins (7-8)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) 24-26 Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
• New Orleans Saints (5-10) 0-34 Green Bay Packers (11-4)

NFL Playoff Picture (after NFL Week 16)

Teams shown in bold have guaranteed themselves a playoff spot.

Teams shown in italics are unable to qualify for the playoffs.

Teams marked in bold with an asterisk* have clinched their divisional title.

AFC – Current Seedings – After NFL Week 16

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)* (AFC West)
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)* (AFC East)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
4. Houston Texans (9-6)* (AFC South)
5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)

In The Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

Out of Contention

11. New York Jets (4-11)
12. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
16. New England Patriots (3-12) 

NFC – Current Seedings – After NFL Week 16

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
3. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
4. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)

In The Hunt

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

Out of Contention

10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
14. Chicago Bears (4-11)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
16. New York Giants (2-13)

Teams ranked 1st in each Conference in the Seedings receive a Bye.

Teams ranked 2nd to 4th receive a home game on Wildcard weekend.

You can find out the Tie Breaking Procedures for teams in the same division between two or three or more teams by clicking on this link to the official NFL Tie-breaker procedures page. 

NFL Divisional Picture After NFL Week 16

AFC

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills (12-3)*
2. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
3. New York Jets (4-11)
4. New England Patriots (3-12)

Bills have won the division.

Dolphins are still in contention for the playoffs.

Jets and Patriots are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Dolphins @ Browns

Week 18

Dolphins @ Jets

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

The Steelers and Ravens have qualified for the playoffs.

The Bengals are still in contention for the playoffs.

The Browns are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Ravens @ Texans

Broncos @ Bengals

Week 18

Bengals @ Steelers

Browns @ Ravens

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)*
2. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
3. Denver Broncos (9-6)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)

Chiefs have won the division and are currently the number 1 seed in the AFC.

The Chargers and Broncos are still in contention for the playoffs and currently hold one of the seven seeded spots.

The Raiders are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Chargers @ Patriots

Broncos @ Bengals

Week 18

Chargers @ Raiders

Chiefs @ Broncos

AFC South

1. Houston Texans (9-6)*
2. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
4. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

The Texans have won the division.

The Colts are in contention for the playoffs.

The Jaguars and Titans are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Colts @ Giants

Week 18

Jaguars @ Colts

NFC

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
2. Washington Commanders (10-5)
3. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
4. New York Giants (2-13)

The Eagles have qualified for the playoffs.

The Commanders are a current playoff seed and remain in contention for the playoffs.

The Cowboys and Giants are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Cowboys @ Eagles

Falcons @ Commanders

Week 18

Commanders @ Cowboys

Giants @ Eagles

NFC North

1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
2. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
3. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
4. Chicago Bears (4-11)

The Lions, Vikings and Packers have qualified for the playoffs.

The Bears are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Packers @ Vikings

Lions @ 49ers

Week 18

Vikings @ Lions

Bears @ Packers

NFC West

1. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
2. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
3. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

The Rams and Seahawks are in contention to win the division and qualify for the playoffs.

The Cardinals and 49ers are eliminated.

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Cardinals @ Rams

Seahawks @ Bears

Week 18

Seahawks @ Rams

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
3. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
4. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

The Falcons and Buccaneers are in contention to win the division and qualify for the playoffs.

The Saints and Panthers are eliminated. 

Key Games Remaining after NFL Week 16

Week 17

Panthers @ Buccaneers

Falcons @ Commanders

Week 18

Saints @ Buccaneers

Panthers @ Falcons

Key Injuries from NFL Week 16

• S Marcus Maye (Chargers) – Ankle
• LB Denzel Perryman (Chargers) – Groin
• LT Braxton Jones (Bears) – Ankle
• CB Sauce Gardner (Jets) – Hamstring
• OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Jets) – Foot
• S Tony Adams (Jets) – Ankle
• QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles) – Concussion
• EDGE Josh Sweat (Eagles) – Ankle
• RB Will Shipley (Eagles) – Concussion
• EDGE Leonard Floyd (49ers) – Shoulder
• LB Dre Greenlaw (49ers) – Calf
• RB Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks) – Ankle
• LB Kenneth Murray (Titans) – Wrist
• OT Andrew Wylie (Commanders) – Groin
• CB Marshon Lattimore (Commanders) – Hamstring
• LB Micah McFadden (Giants) – Neck
• S Jason Pinnock (Giants) – Eye
• LB Jordyn Brooks (Dolphins) – Knee
• LB Ventrell Miller (Jaguars) – Ankle
• CB Jaylon Jones (Colts) – Throat
• WR Jaylen Tolbert (Cowboys) – Finger
• RT Amarius Mims (Bengals) – Ankle
• OG Teven Jenkins (Bears) – Calf
• WR Drake London (Falcons) – Hamstring
• RB James Conner (Cardinals) – Knee
• RT Jonah Williams (Cardinals) – Knee

NFL Power Rankings – NFL Week 16

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2) 14-1 – Back to number one after another win.
2. Detroit Lions (3) 13-2 – The week 18 clash with the Vikings looms large for the Lions.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (1) 12-3 – Surprise defeat for Eagles but Hurts injury a bigger concern.
4. Minnesota Vikings (5) 13-2 – Vikings now on a seven game winning streak. 
5. Buffalo Bills (4) 12-3 – Bills made a meal of a win over the Patriots.
6. Green Bay Packers (6) 11-4 – Packers wrap up a playoff spot with shut out win over Saints.
7. Baltimore Ravens (9) 10-5 – A good win over a key divisional rival Steelers.
8. Washington Commanders (10) 10-5 – Superb win over the Eagles this week.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (7) 10-5 – Another loss sees the Steelers drop to 10-5. 
10. Denver Broncos (8) 9-6 – A narrow loss to divisional rivals Chargers should not be too damaging.

The Rest…11-32

11. Los Angeles Rams (12) 9-6
12. Los Angeles Chargers (15) 9-6
13. Houston Texans (11) 9-6 
14. Atlanta Falcons (17) 8-7 
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13) 8-7  
16. Seattle Seahawks (14) 8-7
17. Cincinnati Bengals (18) 7-8 
18. Indianapolis Colts (20) 7-8
19. Miami Dolphins (21) 7-8
20. Arizona Cardinals (16) 7-8 
21. Dallas Cowboys (22) 7-8
22. San Francisco 49ers (19) 6-9 
23. New Orleans Saints (23) 5-10 
24. New York Jets (24) 4-11
25. Chicago Bears (25) 4-11
26. Carolina Panthers (27) 4-11
27. New England Patriots (28) 3-12
28. Cleveland Browns (26) 3-12
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (29) 3-12
30. Tennessee Titans (30) 3-12
31. Las Vegas Raiders (31) 3-12
32. New York Giants (32) 2-13

NFL Week 17 – Fixtures

The penultimate weekend of the regular season begins with two games on Christmas Day and they are genuine crackers too. The action starts in Pittsburgh, where the hometown Steelers welcome the Kansas City Chiefs in what should be an AFC cracker.

This is followed by another huge AFC clash as the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens in Texas.

There’s a late game on Boxing Day night as the Bears and Seahawks meet and then there are two games on Saturday, both having major implications in the AFC Playoff picture with the Chargers and Broncos facing the Patriots and Bengals respectively.

There are plenty of key games to enjoy on Sunday, too, including lots of divisional matches with plenty at stake, such as the Cardinals at the Rams, the Packers at the Vikings and the Cowboys at the Philadelphia Eagles. 

This important game week concludes with the Commanders hosting the Falcons, and then the Monday Night game sees the 49ers hosting the Lions. 

Wednesday December 25th – 6pm, 9.30pm

• Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
• Baltimore Ravens (10-5) @ Houston Texans (9-6)

Friday December 27th – 1.15am

• Seattle Seahawks (8-7) @ Chicago Bears (4-11)

Saturday December 28th – 6pm, 9.30pm

• Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) @ New England Patriots (3-12)
• Denver Broncos (9-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

Sunday December 29th, 6pm, 9.05pm, 9.25pm

• Arizona Cardinals (7-8) @ Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
• Indianapolis Colts (7-8) @ New York Giants (2-13)
• New York Jets (4-11) @ Buffalo Bills (12-3)
• Tennessee Titans (3-12) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
• Green Bay Packers (11-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
• Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) @ New Orleans Saints (5-10)
• Carolina Panthers (4-11) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
• Miami Dolphins (7-8) @ Cleveland Browns (3-12)
• Dallas Cowboys (7-8) @ Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

Monday December 30th – 1.20am

• Atlanta Falcons (8-7) @ Washington Commanders (10-5)

Tuesday December 31st – 1.15am

• Detroit Lions (13-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

All teams have now had their bye week.

NFL Week 16 proved to be a conclusive one, especially in the NFC, where four teams saw their hopes of playoff football come to an end due to a combination of factors. With just two weeks remaining of the season and nine of the 14 playoff spots now confirmed, it promises to be an exciting climax to the campaign. Especially seeing as only three out of the eight divisions have their winners confirmed!