2020 NFL playoff races, standings: Bears and Ravens win again, Patriots eliminated for first time in 12 years – CBS Sports

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Three weeks remain in the 2020 NFL regular season and plenty of playoff berths are up for grabs. The Buffalo Bills clinched their first AFC East title in 25 years Saturday, ending the third-longest active division title drought in the league. The Miami Dolphins held on to the final AFC playoff berth Sunday, beating the New England Patriots and remaining the No. 7 seed in the conference. The Patriots’ loss to the Dolphins means New England will miss the postseason for the first time since 2008 and clinched a losing season for the first time since 2000. 

In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks clinched a playoff berth and the Los Angeles Rams can also clinch with a win over the Jets on Sunday while the New Orleans Saints can clinch the NFC South. 

Below, you can find a division-by-division breakdown of the current standings, how each club performed in Week 15 and what they have next on the schedule.

AFC East

x-clinched division title

Buffalo Bills

What to know: Buffalo clinched the AFC East title with its blowout victory over the Broncos, the third time in four seasons the Bills are heading to the playoffs. The Bills sit as the No. 3 seed in the AFC standings, a half-game behind Pittsburgh for the second spot, but own the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Steelers after beating Pittsburgh in Week 14.

Remaining schedule: at Patriots, vs. Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

What to know: The Dolphins’ win over the Patriots keeps them as the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff race. Miami makes the playoffs if it wins its final two games. The Dolphins own the tiebreaker over the Ravens based on having a better win percentage in conference games. 

Remaining schedule: at Raiders, at Bills

New England Patriots

What to know: The Patriots have been officially eliminated from the postseason after losing to the Dolphins. They will finish with a non-winning season for the first time since 2000 and their 11-year playoff streak has been snapped. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, vs. Jets

New York Jets

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Rams 

Remaining schedule: at Rams, vs. Browns, at Patriots

AFC North

z-Steelers

11

2

0

.846

+112

Browns

9

4

0

.692

-20

Ravens

9

5

0

.643

+116

Bengals

2

10

1

.192

-93

z-clinched playoff spot

Pittsburgh Steelers

What to know: TBD after Monday’s game at Bengals

Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Colts, at Browns

Cleveland Browns

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Giants 

Next game: at Giants, at Jets, vs. Steelers

Baltimore Ravens

What to know: The Ravens took care of business with a blowout victory over the Jaguars but still remain the No. 8 seed in the AFC standings. The Dolphins own the tiebreaker over Baltimore based on a better win percentage in conference games. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, at Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals

What to know: TBD after Monday’s game vs. Steelers

Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Ravens 

AFC South

Titans

10

4

0

.714

+75

Colts

10

4

0

.714

+79

Texans

4

10

0

.286

-71

Jaguars 

1

13

0

.071

-148

Tennessee Titans 

What to know: A big win over the Lions keeps Tennessee atop the AFC South with two games to play. Tennessee owns the tiebreaker over Indianapolis based on having a better winning percentage in division games. The Titans are the No. 4 seed in the conference standings. 

Remaining schedule: at Packers, at Texans

Indianapolis Colts

What to know: The Colts survived against Houston to remain tied with Tennessee for first in the AFC South. Tennessee owns the tiebreaker over Indianapolis based on having a better winning percentage in division games. The Colts are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC conference standings. 

Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Jaguars

Houston Texans

What to know: Another heartbreaking loss for the Texans to the Colts. Houston is 13th in the conference standings and would be in position for a top-10 draft pick had it not been traded to the Dolphins. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Titans

Jacksonville Jaguars

What to know: The 13th straight loss for Jacksonville keeps them in contention for the No. 1 overall draft pick. The Jaguars have the second worst record in football. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, at Colts

AFC West

x-clinched division title

Kansas City Chiefs

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Saints 

Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Falcons, vs. Chargers

Las Vegas Raiders

What to know: The Raiders need the Ravens and Dolphins to lose to have a chance at the AFC playoffs after Thursday’s loss to the Chargers. They can’t be eliminated Sunday, but their playoff hopes are dwindling fast. Huge game against the Dolphins in Week 16.

Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Broncos

Denver Broncos

What to know: Denver was eliminated from the playoff race after Saturday’s loss to Buffalo. The Broncos have clinched a losing season for the fourth consecutive year. 

Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

What to know: The Chargers may have played themselves out of a top-five pick in the draft after back-to-back victories. They have a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert but are eliminated from playoff contention. Bright future ahead in Los Angeles. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos, at Chiefs

NFC East

Washington

6

8

0

.429

+7

Giants

5

8

0

.385

-53

Cowboys

5

9

0

.357

-94

Eagles

4

8

1

.346

-51

Washington Football Team

What to know: Washington remains in first place in the NFC East for now awaits the Giants result later Sunday. A Giants win puts New York back in first in the division. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers, at Eagles

New York Giants

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game vs. Browns  

Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, at Ravens, vs. Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game at Cardinals

Remaining schedule: at Cardinals, at Cowboys, vs. Washington

Dallas Cowboys

What to know: The Cowboys are a game out of the NFC East race but need Washington to lose their final two games — and they have to win their final two — in order to have a shot at the division. Washington swept Dallas this year, owning the tiebreaker. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, at Giants

NFC North

x-Packers

11

3

0

.786

+95

Bears

7

7

0

.500

-3

Vikings

6

8

0

.429

-28

Lions

5

9

0

.357

-100

x-clinched division title 

Green Bay Packers

What to know: The Packers remain the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a victory over the Panthers Saturday. Green Bay will get the only bye in the conference if it wins its final two games. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Bears

Chicago Bears

What to know: The Bears are the No. 8 seed in the conference standings after a huge win over the Vikings and are hoping for a Cardinals loss to the Eagles to tie them for the final playoff berth in the conference. 

Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, vs. Packers

Minnesota Vikings

What to know: A brutal loss to the Bears puts the Vikings’ playoff hopes in serious doubt. They will be two back of Arizona for the final playoff spot if the Cardinals win. 

Remaining schedule: at Saints, at Lions

Detroit Lions

What to know: The Lions are eliminated from the playoffs after falling to the Titans. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Buccaneers, vs. Vikings

NFC South

z-Saints

10

3

0

.769

+103

Buccaneers

9

5

0

.643

+80

Falcons

4

10

0

.286

+2

Panthers

4

10

0

.286

-33

z-clinched playoff spot

New Orleans Saints

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game vs. Chiefs

Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, vs. Vikings, at Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What to know: A comeback win over the Falcons keep the Buccaneers at the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff race with two games to play. A Cardinals loss would be a huge boost for the Buccaneers sealing a playoff berth. 

Remaining schedule: at Lions, vs. Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

What to know: The Falcons have the second-worst record in the conference after Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. They are playing out the string. 

Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, at Buccaneers

Carolina Panthers

What to know: The Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs after Saturday’s loss to the Packers. They have the worst record in the conference. 

Remaining schedule: at Washington, vs. Saints

NFC West

z-Seahawks

10

4

0

.714

+74

Rams

9

4

0

.692

+79

Cardinals

7

6

0

.538

+55

49ers 

5

9

0

.357

-19

z-clinched playoff spot  

Seattle Seahawks

What to know: Seattle will remain at least the No. 5 seed in the NFC after a win over Washington. A Rams loss to the Jets would give the Seahawks first place in the NFC West. Seattle plays Los Angeles next week. Seattle clinched a playoff berth with the win Sunday. 

Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at 49ers 

Los Angeles Rams

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game vs. Jets 

Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Seahawks, at Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals

What to know: TBD after Sunday’s game vs. Eagles 

Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, vs. 49ers, at Rams

San Francisco 49ers

What to know: San Francisco isn’t eliminated from the playoffs yet after a loss to the Cowboys, but the 49ers soon will be. 

Remaining schedule: at Cardinals, vs. Seahawks