NFL playoffs, top-10 draft order LOCKED IN after Jags’ massive miss, dream begin to post-Rodgers period

Editor2

January 8, 2024

NFL playoffs, top-10 draft order LOCKED IN after Jags’ massive miss, dream begin to post-Rodgers period

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The closing day of the NFL common season is right here and the playoff match-ups are nearly locked in, with each post-season spot now snapped up.

The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers shall be thanking the Tennessee Titans after sealing their spot into the post-season after the Jacksonville Jaguars went down in a shock loss.

The loss additionally meant the Houston Texans, who clinched a playoff spot after a 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, will end on prime of the AFC South.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t must do a lot however they did sufficient to clinch the NFC South with a 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers.

The closing spot within the playoffs got here all the way down to Green Bay, Seattle and New Orleans — and it was the Packers who will maintain taking part in on after a gritty 17-9 win over the Chicago Bears.

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Team HYPED! Big man eats QB for $$ bonus | 00:25

Additionally, there have been many groups out of the playoff hunt who have been already wanting in direction of the 2024 draft and a loss this weekend noticed them safe a better choice in a powerful rookie class.

AFC STANDINGS/1ST ROUND PLAYOFF MATCHUPS AS IT STANDS*

1. Baltimore Ravens (AFC North winner)

2. Miami Dolphins (AFC East winner)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West winner)

4. Houston Texans (AFC South winner)

5. Cleveland Browns (wildcard)

6. Buffalo Bills (wildcard)

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (wildcard)

Baltimore – bye

Pittsburgh @ Miami

Buffalo @ Kansas City

Cleveland @ Houston

* Miami vs Buffalo to determine winner of AFC East

NFC STANDINGS/1ST ROUND PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

1. San Francisco 49ers (NFC West winner)

2. Dallas Cowboys (NFC East winner)

3. Detroit Lions (NFC North winner)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South winner)

5. Philadelphia Eagles (wildcard)

6. LA Rams (wildcard)

7. Green Bay Packers (wildcard)

San Francisco – bye

Green Bay @ Dallas

LA Rams @ Detroit

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay

2024 NFL TOP 10 DRAFT ORDER

1. Chicago (by way of Carolina)

2. Washington

3. New England

4. Arizona

5. LA Chargers

6. NY Giants

7. Tennessee

8. Falcons

9. Chicago

10. NY Jets

Read on for all of the Week 18 playoff and draft implications.

AFC EAST

The Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins will play off for the AFC East title within the closing common season timeslot (12:20pm Monday AEDT). The 11-6 Dolphins are assured of a playoff spot and can find yourself with one of many three AFC wildcards in the event that they lose to the Bills. Buffalo initially was taking a look at a must-win state of affairs after Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore, however Jacksonville’s loss to Tennessee means Buffalo are locked into the playoffs. The Bills will end second within the convention and get a house playoff recreation because the AFC East winner with a win. A Jacksonville loss and a Bills loss means Buffalo finally ends up with a wild card. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots in a battle for delight. The Patriots are actually be assured of the third choose within the draft. The Jets will draft tenth.

AFC NORTH

The Baltimore Ravens already clinched the AFC’s prime spot and subsequently rested numerous stars within the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Pittsburgh will progress after the Jaguars’ loss to the Titans. Cleveland Browns (11-5) rested numerous key gamers and went all the way down to the Cincinnati Bengals in one of many least essential video games of the weekend in the case of closing standings because the Browns are locked into the fifth seed.

Steelers QB Mason Rudolph (#2), who began the season third on the depth chart, has helped Pittsburgh to an unlikely playoff spot.Source: AFP

AFC SOUTH

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts all began the week 9-7, however the Colts have now been eradicated and the Texans with their rookie QB C.J Stroud and first-year head coach Demeco Ryans have clinched a postseason berth after Houston beat Indy 23-17. The Jaguars would have been topped AFC South victors in the event that they dealt with the Tennessee Titans, however a shock loss means the winner of the division would be the Texans. With Pittsburgh profitable, the Jaguars have been eradicated with a loss. The Jaguars nearly went forward late with an extended Calvin Ridley landing however Trevor Lawrence couldn’t join along with his star extensive receiver in an enormous missed alternative.

AFC WEST

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a little bit of droop however are fortunate they’re in a weak division. They’ll find yourself with the third seed and the one crew within the AFC West to make the postseason. The Los Angeles Chargers can end with a prime 5 choose within the draft with a loss to the Chiefs. The Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos face off within the different AFC West match up, with each groups anticipated to complete the season with a draft choose within the 10-15 vary. Both groups, Denver particularly, may look to draft their QB of the long run within the first spherical.

AFC STANDINGS/1ST ROUND PLAYOFF MATCHUPS AS IT STANDS

1. Baltimore Ravens (AFC North winner)

2. Miami Dolphins (AFC East winner)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West winner)

4. Houston Texans (AFC South winner)

5. Cleveland Browns (wildcard)

6. Buffalo Bills (wildcard)

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (wildcard)

Baltimore – bye

Pittsburgh @ Miami

Buffalo @ Kansas City

Cleveland @ Houston

Fire at Tyreek Hill’s house | 00:36

NFC EAST

The Dallas Cowboys toppled the Washington Commanders to clinch the NFC East. Even in the event that they hadn’t, Dallas would’ve gained the division anyway after the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a shock loss to the New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Commanders may have the second choose within the draft after their loss to the Cowboys.

NFC NORTH

The Detroit Lions are assured their first house playoff recreation in over 20 years by taking out the NFC North. They performed the Minnesota Vikings, who wanted to win and get loads of assist to earn a wildcard. The Vikings although went down. The Chicago Bears have been eradicated from the race and have been unable to play spoilers in opposition to the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay managed their very own future and gained 17-9 to punch their ticket into the playoffs and look to have discovered one other gem at quarterback in Jordan Love. The Bears are formally on the clock as they at present have the primary total choose of the draft by way of the Carolina Panthers, who traded it as a part of the deal to land the no. 1 choose in 2023 (Bryce Young). With their very own choice, the Bears shall be assured of a prime ten choose in the event that they lose to the Packers.

NFC SOUTH

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the division on Monday morning with a 9-0 win over the 2-14 Carolina Panthers. The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints have been taking part in concurrently the Bucs and it was the Saints who got here out on prime. A Packers win, nevertheless, eradicated New Orleans.

Derek Carr and the Saints have been underwhelming this season, however are nonetheless within the race.Source: AFP

NFC WEST

Two groups on this division are heading to the postseason – the no. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, who’re assured a wildcard spot. The Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals however wanted the Packers lose to the Bears to be an opportunity of snaring a wildcard. In dropping, the Cardinals wrapped up the No.4 choose.