Cam Newton and his Carolina Panthers will have a bye week before resuming their dabbing ways in the NFC playoffs. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
NFL Week 17
Top Story Lines | Injury News | Game Analysis
Fantasy Football | ATS Betting Tips/Picks
[Looking for Redskins coverage? Click here.]
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After a topsy-turvy day, here’s where the playoff picture stands right now:
– The AFC teams are finalized. The Steelers are in, the Jets are out. Meanwhile, a win by the Houston Texans gives them the AFC South division title and a spot in the playoffs.
– The Denver Broncos earn home-field advantage with a win over San Diego, clinching the top seed. The Patriots will be No.2. Bengals, Texans, Chiefs and Steelers, in order, make up the rest of the field.
[Bills and Steelers tweet at each other shared enjoyment of Jets’ loss]
– The NFC teams are set with the Panthers, Cardinals, Packers, Redskins, Vikings and Seahawks will play in the postseason. The order remains up in the air.
– The Panthers clinched home-field advantage in the NFC with a win (and the Cardinals loss to the Seahawks). Arizona will be the No. 2 seed.
– The Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North with a win over Green Bay and secured the No. 3 seed. They will play the sixth-seeded Seattle Seahawks. The Redskins, already locked in at No. 4, will host the Packers.
Broncos, Panthers secure No. 1 playoff seeds on wild final day of NFL regular season
Peyton Manning’s return at QB boosts Denver. (Read More)
[The Broncos turn to Peyton Manning. Will it matter in the playoffs?]
Mike Pettine, Jim Tomsula fired as rumors swirl around Tom Coughlin, Chuck Pagano and others
Eleven coaches are on the hot seat to one degree or another. (Read More)
Seattle Seahawks are the biggest Super Bowl threat playing in the first round
Seahawks force the fourth most three and outs and allow the least amount of touchdowns. (Read More)
The Patriots have a big cause for concern
Playoffs looming, New England and Tom Brady have a big issue to address if they want to win another Super Bowl. (Read More)
Pats look nothing like a Super Bowl contender
After a flat showing in Miami, New England may have cost itself significantly in its quest for another Super Bowl. (Read More)
[Tom Brady, Patriots avoid the worst on scary tackle by Ndamukong Suh]
Tom Coughlin’s future remains uncertain
Reports from early Sunday of his plans to retire appear premature. (Read More)
Rex Ryan spoils the Jets’ turnaround season
Even in Buffalo, Ryan is finding ways to vex Jets fans. (Read More)
Adrian Peterson has made the Vikings a playoff team
One season after a year-long absence, Minnesota’s star RB has the team on the cusp of a division title. (Read More)
Bills kicker misses PAT, what he does next was more embarrassing
It turns out those NFL helmets can bounce pretty high. Like, hit-yourself-in-the-face high. (Read More)
Glenn Gronkowski declares for NFL draft. (Read More)
Coaching rumors swirl on NFL’s final weekend
Tom Coughlin’s name is at the top of the list. (Read More)
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos (foot)… He could be Osweiler’s backup Sunday.
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts (kidney)… He has been ruled out of playing Sunday.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Colts (shoulder)… He is unlikely to play Sunday.
Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Colts (hamstring)… He was placed in the injured reserve list and won’t play Sunday, leaving the Colts likely choosing from among Stephen Morris, Josh Freeman or Ryan Lindley to start at QB.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans (knee)… He has been ruled out of playing Sunday, meaning his rookie season is over.
Brian Hoyer, QB, Texans (concussion)… Hoyer appears set to return to the lineup.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Browns (concussion)… Manziel was diagnosed with a concussion at midweek.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers (foot)… He didn’t practice Wednesday and it remains unclear if he will return to the Carolina lineup after a two-game absence.
Best and worst from NFL Week 17
Redskins close regular season on high note vs. Cowboys
Kirk Cousins sets a team passing record and Washington heads into playoffs on four-game winning streak. (Read More)
[Albert Haynesworth can’t resist taking a shot at the Redskins]
Steelers beats Browns, slide into playoffs
Pittsburgh clinched a wild-card berth with a win in Cleveland. (Read More)
Patriots miss chance to clinch No. 1 seed with loss to Dolphins
New England lost four of six games to close the regular season. (Read More)
Texans clinch division title with win over Jaguars
Houston’s dominant defense held Jacksonville to two field goals. (Read More)
Jets blow playoff chance with loss to Bills
Buffalo intercepted Ryan Fitzpatrick on New York’s final three possessions to end its season. (Read More)
McCarron leads playoff-bound Bengals over Ravens
Cincinnati matched a franchise record with 12 wins in a season. (Read More)
Colts use backup plan to salvage victory over Titans
Indianapolis avoided its first losing season since 2011. (Read More)
Eagles spoil Coughlin’s possible last game with Giants
Philadelphia had already fired Coach Kelly earlier this week. (Read More)
Forbath’s FG on final play sends Saints past Falcons
New Orleans swept the season series against Atlanta for the sixth time in 10 years. (Read More)
Stafford, Johnson lead Lions over Bears
Detroit avoided a last-place finish in the NFC North with the win. (Read More)
Chiefs beat Raiders to enter playoffs on streak
Kansas City won a franchise-record 10th consecutive game. (Read More)
Wilson, Seahawks rout Cardinals
Arizona miss out on the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. (Read More)
Dawson kicks 23-yard winning field goal, 49ers beat Rams
St. Louis avoided its worst finish since 2005. (Read More)
Manning leads Broncos past Chargers
Denver clinches No. 1 seed in AFC playoffs. (Read More)
Vikings take NFC North, hold on to beat Packers
Minnesota locks up the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. (Read More)
With most fantasy leagues decided in Week 16, Des Bieler and Gene Wang lookahead to 2016 with their first visions of a mock draft.
The Steelers should win, but the Jets are going to the playoffs. (Read More)
Where the action is going heading into Sunday. (Read More)
