Updated NFL playoff picture: Seahawks, Packers earn byes as season ends
Updated standings | AFC | NFC
AFC first-round byes:
(1) Patriots; Sat., Jan. 10, 4:35 ET (NBC)
(2) Broncos; Sun., Jan. 11, 4:40 ET (CBS)
AFC wild card: (6) Ravens at (3) Steelers; Sat., 8:15 ET (NBC)
(5) Bengals at (4) Colts; Sun., 1 ET (CBS)
NFC first-round byes:
(1) Seahawks; Sat., Jan. 10, 8:15 ET (Fox)
(2) Packers; Sun., Jan. 11, 1 ET (Fox)
NFC wild card:
(6) Lions at (3) Cowboys; Sun., 4:40 ET (Fox)
(5) Cardinals at (4) Panthers; Sat., 4:35 ET (ESPN)
The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC again goes through the Pacific Northwest.
The Seahawks earned the No. 1 seed with a win against the Rams, finishing atop a three-way tie of 12-4 division champions because of a 10-2 conference record, compared to the Packers' 9-3 and Cowboys' 8-4.
In the AFC, the Ravens got the Chargers' loss they needed thanks to the Chiefs, and they rallied past the Browns 20-10 to claim the last AFC playoff spot. The Steelers dumped the Bengals to win the North.
x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title; z-clinched home field
y-1. New England Patriots (12-4, East champion; L 7-19 vs. Bills)
• Clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs last week. Lead the Broncos because of a head-to-head win.
y-2. Denver Broncos (12-4, West champion; W 47-14 vs. Raiders)
• Clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a win against the Raiders.
y-3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5, North champion; W 27-17 vs. Bengals)
• Clinched the North and No. 3 seed with a win against the Bengals. Lead the Colts because of a head-to-head win.
y-4. Indianapolis Colts (11-5, South champion; W 27-10 at Titans)
• The Bengals will visit the Colts on Sunday at 1 ET (CBS).
x-5. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1, top wild card; L 17-27 at Steelers)
• Fell to the No. 5 seed with a loss at the Steelers. Will visit the Colts on Sunday at 1 ET (CBS).
x-6. Baltimore Ravens (10-6, bottom wild card; W 20-10 vs. Browns)
• Clinched a playoff berth with a win against the Browns and the Chargers' 19-7 loss at the Chiefs. Will visit the Steelers on Saturday at 8:15 ET (NBC).
z-1. Seattle Seahawks (12-4, West champion; W 20-6 vs. Rams)
• Clinched the West, No. 1 seed, first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs with a win against the Rams. Lead the Packers and Cowboys because of conference record (10-2 to 9-3 and 8-4, respectively).
y-2. Green Bay Packers (12-4, North champion; W 30-20 vs. Lions)
• Clinched the North, No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye with a win against the Lions. Lead the Cowboys because of conference record (9-3 to 8-4).
y-3. Dallas Cowboys (12-4, East champion; W 44-17 at Redskins)
• Clinched the No. 3 seed with the Seahawks' win and the Lions-Packers not ending in a tie. The Lions visit Dallas on Sunday at 4:40 ET (Fox).
y-4. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1, South champion; W 34-3 at Falcons)
• Clinched the South and No. 4 seed with a win at the Falcons. The Cardinals visit the Panthers on Saturday at 4:35 ET (ESPN).
x-5. Arizona Cardinals (11-5, top wild card; L 17-20 at 49ers)
• Clinched the No. 5 seed despite a loss at the 49ers when the Lions-Packers game did not end in a tie. Lead the Lions because of a head-to-head win.
x-6. Detroit Lions (11-5, bottom wild card; L 20-30 at Packers)
• Fell to the No. 6 seed with a loss at the Packers. Will visit the Cowboys on Sunday at 4:40 ET (Fox).