Here's how the NFL playoff picture looks after Week 15's games.
AFC
1. y-New England Patriots (11-3): AFC East champion. They escaped Pittsburgh with their 15th division title in 17 seasons and a clear path to home-field advantage.
2. y-Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3): AFC North champion. After a gut-wrenching loss, they're now facing the likelihood of once again having to go through Foxborough to reach the Super Bowl.
3. x-Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4): AFC South leader. They're playoff-bound for the first time since 2007 and still have a reasonable shot at a first-round bye.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6): AFC West leader. Not only did Saturday's win over the Chargers give K.C. vital breathing room, but the Chiefs' schedule now gets quite favorable as they finish against the Dolphins and Broncos. They need win only one of those games to put a bow on the division.
5. Tennessee Titans (8-6): Wild card No. 1. They're doing their best to drop out of the field. But a 7-4 conference record keeps them ahead of Buffalo and Baltimore. However next week's date with the Rams looks like major trouble.
6. Buffalo Bills (8-6): Wild card No. 2. They're desperately trying to snap the longest playoff drought in major North American professional team sports (it dates to 1999). The strength of victory tiebreaker keeps Buffalo ahead of the Ravens, who are being undermined by their defeats of the winless Browns.
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-6), Los Angeles Chargers (7-7), Miami Dolphins (6-8), Oakland Raiders (6-8)
x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched division
NFC
1. yz-Philadelphia Eagles (12-2): NFC East champion. Life after Carson Wentz had a hairy beginning, but the Iggles survived the Giants to ensure themselves at least a first-round bye.
2. y-Minnesota Vikings (11-3): NFC North champion. Newly crowned division champions still have shot at home-field advantage ... and a shot to play Super Bowl on home field.
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-4): NFC West leader. They gave the Seahawks a shocking beating at CenturyLink Field that likely means L.A. is headed to postseason while Seattle probably isn't.
4. New Orleans Saints (10-4): NFC South leader. Surprisingly struggled against punchless Jets but managed to retain division lead.
5. Carolina Panthers (10-4): Wild card No. 1. Technically tied for first place but getting swept by Saints keeps Panthers on wild-card path.
6. Atlanta Falcons (9-5): Wild card No. 2. They've beaten the Seahawks, Lions and Cowboys, so Atlanta enjoys a one-game lead but owns key tiebreaker over pursuers. Monday night's win in Tampa officially ended Packers' playoff hopes.
In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-6), Detroit Lions (8-6), Dallas Cowboys (8-6)
x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched division
z-clinched first-round bye
