## NFL Playoff Picture: Postseason Probabilities Entering Week 17 of 2024 Season
**By [Your Name]**
**January 1, 2025**
With only one week remaining in the 2024 NFL regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Several teams have already clinched their spots in the postseason, while others are still fighting for their playoff lives.
**AFC**
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) have secured the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) and Buffalo Bills (11-5) have also clinched playoff berths.
The Baltimore Ravens (10-6) and Miami Dolphins (9-7) are currently in the Wild Card race, but they need to win their Week 17 games and get some help from other teams in order to qualify for the playoffs.
**NFC**
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles (14-2) have clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The San Francisco 49ers (13-3) and Minnesota Vikings (12-4) have also clinched playoff berths.
The Dallas Cowboys (11-5), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6), and New York Giants (9-7) are currently in the Wild Card race. The Cowboys and Buccaneers need to win their Week 17 games and get some help from other teams in order to qualify for the playoffs. The Giants need to win their Week 17 game and hope that the Cowboys and Buccaneers lose in order to make the playoffs.
**Key Games in Week 17**
Several key games in Week 17 will have a major impact on the playoff picture.
**AFC**
* **Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals:** The Ravens need a win and a Miami Dolphins loss to the New York Jets in order to make the playoffs.
* **Miami Dolphins at New York Jets:** The Dolphins need a win and a Baltimore Ravens loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in order to make the playoffs.
**NFC**
* **Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders:** The Cowboys need a win and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Carolina Panthers in order to make the playoffs.
* **Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers:** The Buccaneers need a win and a Dallas Cowboys loss to the Washington Commanders in order to make the playoffs.
* **New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles:** The Giants need a win and losses by the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in order to make the playoffs.
**Playoff Probabilities**
According to FiveThirtyEight, the Chiefs, Bengals, Bills, Ravens, Dolphins, Eagles, 49ers, and Vikings are all locks to make the playoffs. The Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Giants all have a chance to make the playoffs, but their chances are less than 50%.
**Conclusion**
The NFL playoff picture is still very much up in the air heading into Week 17. Several teams are still fighting for their playoff lives, and several key games will have a major impact on who makes the playoffs and who goes home.