The Saints, Rams and Chiefs have clinched a playoff spot, but the Patriots and Texans have to wait until at least next week.
One of the best NFL Sundays of the season delivered entertainment in spades, dramatic last-second winning touchdowns and more magic from Patrick Mahomes. More importantly, a clearer picture as to which teams we can expect to see in the playoffs next month began to emerge.
Here’s the state of play after Week 14.
Read more: Chicago Bears throw NFC wide open with impressive win over Rams
The New Orleans Saints clinched the NFC South title and a playoff spot with a 28-14 win on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints are 11-2 and share the best record in the NFC with the Los Angeles Rams, who saw their three-game winning run interrupted by a 15-6 defeat in Chicago.
While the Rams have already secured the NFC West title, they missed the chance of securing a first-round playoffs bye and will now battle it out with the Saints for top spot in the NFC over the next three weeks.
The Rams host the Eagles on Sunday, before traveling to Arizona to face the Cardinals in Week 16 and hosting the San Francisco 49ers in their final regular season game. Meanwhile, two of the Saints’ remaining three games are against the Panthers—the first on the road on Monday night, the second at home in Week 17 with a home game against the Steelers sandwiched in between.
Sunday’s win over the Rams put the Bears within touching distance of clinching a first divisional title and a first playoff berth since 2010.
