NFL Playoff Picture and Draft Order, Week 16: Cowboys and 49ers Officially Eliminated from Playoff Contention

 Ravens Secure Playoff Spot with Victory Over Steelers on Saturday

The playoff picture is becoming clearer after a dramatic Sunday, with several key teams officially eliminated from postseason contention.

The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers saw their playoff hopes come to an end before even taking the field. Both teams needed a perfect finish and some outside help to make the playoffs after poor starts to the season. However, their chances are now officially dashed.

The 49ers, last year’s Super Bowl runners-up, have struggled with injuries throughout the season, including the loss of star running back Christian McCaffrey, who played in just four games due to Achilles and knee issues. San Francisco's 34-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday marked their fifth defeat in their last six games, sealing their elimination from playoff contention.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who are not in the NFC East cellar (that distinction belongs to the New York Giants), also face an early exit. Despite a 35-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night — their fourth victory in their last five games — their playoff push faltered after quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. A five-game losing streak earlier in the season, combined with struggles at home, means Dallas will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The Bucs' loss also put their chances of winning the NFC South in jeopardy.

On a more positive note, the Baltimore Ravens clinched their third consecutive playoff berth with a 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. That win also prevented the Steelers from securing the AFC North title.

Here’s where things stand as we head into the final stretch of Week 16 in the NFL season:

NFC Playoff Picture (as of Dec. 22)

Teams with an asterisk have yet to play in Week 16. Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot.

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

On the bubble

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

AFC Playoff Picture (as of Dec. 22)

Teams with an asterisk have yet to play in Week 16. Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot.

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

On the bubble

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

Full NFC Standings (as of Dec. 22)

Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot. Italicized teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. Teams with an asterisk have yet to play in Week 16.

NFC East

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

NFC North

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

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
3. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
4. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

NFC West

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

Full AFC Standings (as of Dec. 22)

Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot. Italicized teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. Teams with an asterisk have yet to play in Week 16.

AFC East

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

AFC North

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

AFC South

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

AFC West

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

NFL Draft Order (Top 16 - as of Week 16)

The draft order is still subject to change, but as of now, the New York Giants hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Here’s what the top of the order looks like:

1. New York Giants (2-13)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
3. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
5. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
6. New England Patriots (3-12)
7. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
8. New York Jets (4-11)
9. Chicago Bears (4-11)
10. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
12. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
13. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
14. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
15. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
16. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

Teams in Playoff Contention (Top 18)

17. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

19. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

20. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)

21. Houston Texans (9-6)

22. Denver Broncos (9-6)

23. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

24. Washington Commanders (10-5)

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)

26. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

27. *Green Bay Packers (10-4)

28. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)

29. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

30. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

31. Detroit Lions (13-2)

32. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)