NFL playoff schedule and picture: Ryan Succop saves Chargers, dooms Steelers
Final standings | AFC | NFC
AFC first-round byes: (1) Broncos (Sun 12, 4:40 ET; CBS), (2) Patriots (Sat 11, 8:15 ET; CBS)
AFC wild card: (6) Chargers at (3) Bengals (Sun, 1:05 ET; CBS); (5) Chiefs at (4) Colts (Sat, 4:35 ET; NBC)
NFC first-round byes: (1) Seahawks (Sat 11, 4:35 ET Fox), (2) Panthers (Sun 12, 1:05 ET; Fox)
NFC wild card: (6) Saints at (3) Eagles (Sat, 8:10 ET; NBC); (5) 49ers at (4) Packers (Sun, 4:40 ET; Fox)
Here's the final playoff picture. Ryan Succop's missed field-goal attempt for the Chiefs at the end of regulation gave the Chargers new life, and San Diego then eliminated Pittsburgh with an overtime win (a tie would have been enough).
The Steelers had won twice and got two Dolphins losses and two Ravens losses and a Jets win against the Browns just to escape elimination in the last two weeks, but Pittsburgh didn't get the one Chargers loss it also needed. A Succop field goal would have sent Pittsburgh to Cincinnati next week.
The Chargers got the Ravens loss at the Bengals and the Dolphins loss to the Jets they needed earlier in the day. A win by the Ravens or Dolphins (coupled with a loss by the other) would have sent either team to the playoffs and ended San Diego's hopes.
The Broncos held off the Patriots for the top seed, and New England edged the Bengals for a first-round bye.
In the NFC, the Panthers became the first division champion earlier in the day, and the Packers and Seahawks followed later. The Packers won a winner-take-all showdown at the Bears. The Eagles beat the Cowboys in their winner-take-all game and will welcome the Saints to open the playoffs on Saturday.
The Saints clinched a playoff berth with a win against the Buccaneers and were locked into the No. 6 slot when the 49ers won at the Cardinals, setting up a trip to Green Bay for the 49ers.
(x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title, z-clinched first-round playoff bye):
1. z-Denver Broncos (13-3, West champion; W 34-14 at Raiders)
• Clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs with a win at the Raiders.
• Open the playoffs against the Chargers, Chiefs or Colts on Sunday, Jan. 12 (4:40 ET, CBS).
2. z-New England Patriots (12-4, East champion; W 34-20 vs. Bills)
• Clinched a first-round bye with a win against the Bills.
• Open the playoffs against the Bengals, Chiefs or Colts on Saturday, Jan. 11 (8:15 ET, CBS).
3. y-Cincinnati Bengals (11-5, North champion; W 34-17 vs. Ravens)
• Clinched the No. 3 seed with a win against the Ravens because of a head-to-head win against the Colts.
• Open the playoffs against the Chargers on Sunday (1:05 ET, CBS).
4. y-Indianapolis Colts (11-5, South champion; W 30-10 vs. Jaguars)
• Clinched the No. 4 seed with the Bengals and Patriots wins.
• Open the playoffs against the Chiefs on Saturday (4:35 ET, NBC).
5. x-Kansas City Chiefs (11-5, top wild card; L 24-27 [OT] at Chargers)
• Clinched the No. 5 seed earlier and open the playoffs at the Colts on Saturday (4:35 ET, NBC).
6. x-San Diego Chargers (9-7, bottom wild card; W 27-24 [OT] vs. Chiefs)
• Clinched a playoff berth and eliminated the Steelers with a win against the Chiefs and Dolphins loss to the Jets and Ravens loss at the Bengals.
• Open the playoffs at the Bengals on Sunday (1:05 ET, CBS).
1. z-Seattle Seahawks (13-3, West champion; W 27-9 vs. Rams)
• Clinched the West and No. 1 seed with a win against the Rams.
• Open the playoffs against the Saints, 49ers or Packers on Saturday, Jan. 11 (4:35 ET, Fox).
2. z-Carolina Panthers (12-4, South champion; W 21-20 at Falcons)
• Clinched the South and a first-round playoff bye with a win at the Falcons.
• Open the playoffs against the Eagles, 49ers or Packers on Sunday, Jan. 12 (1:05 ET, Fox).
3. y-Philadelphia Eagles (10-6, East champion; W 24-22 at Cowboys)
• Clinched the East and No. 3 seed and eliminated the Cowboys with a win at the Cowboys.
• Open the playoffs against the Saints on Saturday (8:10 ET, NBC).
4. y-Green Bay Packers (8-7-1, North champion; W 33-28 at Bears)
• Clinched the North and No. 4 seed and eliminated the Bears with a win at the Bears.
• Open the playoffs against the 49ers on Sunday (4:40 ET, Fox).
5. x-San Francisco 49ers (12-4, top wild card; W 23-20 at Cardinals)
• Clinched the No. 5 seed with a win at the Cardinals (Seahawks clinched the West with a win).
• Open the playoffs at the Packers on Sunday (4:40 ET, Fox).
6. x-New Orleans Saints (11-5, bottom wild card; W 42-17 vs. Buccaneers)
• Clinched a playoff berth and eliminated the Cardinals with a win vs. the Buccaneers.
• Open the playoffs at the Eagles on Saturday (8:10 ET, NBC).
