The NFL Playoffs

AFC

All roads to the Super Bowl in the AFC go through New England. The AFC East champion Patriots are the top seeded team in the AFC tournament with a 14-2 record and are by far the most threatening team in the playoffs.

The Steelers (12-4) locked up the AFC North and second seed in the AFC with their convincing win over the Browns on Sunday. They will have a bye and home field in the AFC Divisional round.

The Colts (10-6) took over the third seed and won the AFC South title with their last second win over the Titans on Sunday. They host the Jets on Saturday night.

The Chiefs (10-6) lost to the Raiders on Sunday, dropping them to the fourth seed. They welcome the Ravens to Kansas City on Sunday afternoon.

The Ravens (12-4) fell short of the AFC North title after their win over the Bengals. They should be the favorites going into Kansas City.

The Jets (11-5) fell three games short of the AFC East title, but finished with their best record since 1998 and are the sixth seed in the AFC. They get a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game in Indianapolis in the first round.

NFC

The Falcons (13-3) secured the top seed and NFC South title with their victory over the last place Carolina Panthers on Sunday. They have home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

The Bears (11-5) were locked in the second seed, but played their starters against the rival Packers. Their first team managed only 3 points, not what you would expect from a team getting a playoff bye.

The Eagles (10-6) were able to rest some starters against the Cowboys, but finished the season on a two game losing streak. The third seeded Eagles host Green Bay on Sunday in what could be the best first round matchup.

The Seahawks (7-9) beat the Rams to win the NFC West and earn the fourth seed as the first team to ever qualify for the playoffs with a losing record. By rule, they will have a home game in the first round against New Orleans, even with their losing record.

The Saints (11-5) are back in the playoffs as the fifth seed in the NFC after falling two games short of the NFC South title. They will be heavily favored going into Seattle on Saturday.

The Packers (10-6) did what they needed to do to lock up the sixth seed, win. They took the last wildcard spot over the Giants and Buccaneers who both won on Sunday. They travel to Philadelphia on Sunday.

Notes: The Oakland Raiders (8-8) finished the season with a 6-0 record in their division, but fell short of the division title. The New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (both 10-6) lost a tiebreaker to the Packers and did not qualify for the playoffs.