With the field for the 2021-2022 NFL playoffs now finalized, which teams have clinched their spot in the NFL playoff race? Let’s take a look at who’s moving on to the postseason and which teams have clinched home-field advantage in the NFC or AFC.
Which AFC teams have clinched a spot in the 2021-2022 NFL playoffs?
Entering Week 18, five of the seven AFC playoff spots had already been clinched. Those five teams to have clinched playoff spots entering the weekend were the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots.
The Chiefs had already locked up the AFC West. Meanwhile, the Titans and Bengals had clinched the South and North, respectively. The Bills then secured the AFC East in Week 18 by defeating the Jets, while the Patriots lost to the Dolphins but will still be a Wild Card team. Buffalo receives the final home game in the Wild Card round.
In Week 18, the Raiders defeated the Chargers, and because of that, the Steelers also backed their way into the playoffs.
Has the No. 1 seed in the AFC been clinched?
The Tennessee Titans clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC after defeating the Houston Texans in Week 18. They take it from the Chiefs thanks to their head-to-head victory which is a crucial part of the NFL playoffs tiebreaking procedures and rules.
Which NFC teams have clinched a spot in the 2021-2022 NFL playoffs?
Entering the season’s final week, only one spot in the 2021-2022 NFL playoffs was available in the NFC. That spot was a straight shootout between the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints. The 49ers defeated the Rams to clinch the final playoff spot and the sixth seed in the NFC.
The Green Bay Packers have the NFC North under wraps, the Dallas Cowboys have the East title, and the Buccaneers have prevailed in the NFC South. The NFC West was clinched by the Rams in Week 18, despite their loss. The Cardinals also lost in Week 18 to hand the Rams the title. The other team to have already clinched is the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Green Bay Packers have already locked up the No. 1 seed
We already know which team will not be taking the field in the NFC on Wild Card Weekend. When the Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, they locked up the No. 1 seed. That leaves Green Bay with nothing to play for in Week 18. They will host the lowest remaining seed in the NFC in the Divisional Round.
Wild Card Matchups | January 15-17
The 2022 NFL playoffs are upon us. The schedule for Wild Card Weekend is as follows:
Saturday, January 15
Las Vegas Raiders (5) at Cincinnati Bengals (4)
4:30 PM | NBC
New England Patriots (6) at Buffalo Bills (3)
8:15 PM | CBS
Sunday, January 16
Philadelphia Eagles (7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2)
1:00 PM | FOX
San Francisco 49ers (6) at Dallas Cowboys (3)
4:30 PM | CBS/Nickelodeon/Amazon Prime Video
Pittsburgh Steelers (7) at Kansas City Chiefs (2)
8:15 PM | NBC
Monday, January 17
Arizona Cardinals (5) at Los Angeles Rams (4)
8:15 PM | ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+