NFL Playoff Standings 2016: Scenarios For Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets At Odds [Breaking News]

NFL playoff standings for 2016 just got tighter in the AFC. With a strong spot in the NFL playoff standings, the Pittsburgh Steelers just needed to win in Week 16 and Week 17 to clinch a spot. The Steelers even had a shot to win the AFC North. On the road against the Baltimore Ravens, though, the Steelers came up short (20-17). The loss dropped the Steelers to 9-6 on the season and possibly put the playoffs at risk.

The reason the Steelers are in danger is that the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns, and then the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots. The Chiefs and Jets improved to 10-5 on the season, taking full control of the two AFC wild card spots. The 9-6 Steelers now need to not only win a game in Week 17, but also need the Jets to lose to the Bills on January 3. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have already clinched the No. 5 seed in the AFC.

To completely shake up the 2016 NFL playoff standings, the Atlanta Falcons also beat the Carolina Panthers in a Week 16 game. The Panthers dropped to 14-1, putting the No. 1 seed at risk, while the Falcons improved to 8-7, possibly putting the team in a position to steal an NFC wild card spot. The pressure is now on the Minnesota Vikings, as the team is 9-5 and holds the second wild card spot in the NFC. The team has to still win one of its final two games to make the playoffs.

The Houston Texans absolutely crushed the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December 27, clinching the AFC North in the process. The 34-0 victory improved the team to 8-7 on the season and puts the Texans as the No. 4 seed in the AFC Playoffs. The Texans will now host a first-round game against the Kansas City Chiefs on wild card weekend.

With the victory by the Chiefs, the team now has a chance to win the AFC West depending on how the Denver Broncos finish the season. Denver hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, December 28, with a lot on the line for both teams. The No. 2 seed in the AFC is still up for grabs, with the winner of the Denver vs. Cincinnati game having the upper hand. If the Bengals win that game, the team would be tied for the best record in the AFC. A loss by the Broncos drops them into a tie with the Chiefs for first place in the AFC West.

There is a lot within the 2016 NFL playoff standings that hasn’t been settled in the NFC. The Arizona Cardinals (12-2) can still catch the Carolina Panthers (14-1) for the No. 1 seed. It gives the teams something to play for in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Green Bay Packers (10-4) also need to keep winning to clinch the NFC North. The Packers are one game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (9-5) heading into the later games on December 17. Games that will impact the NFC include Green Bay vs. Arizona and New York (Giants) vs. Minnesota.

The Seattle Seahawks have already clinched a wild card spot, and the Washington Redskins have clinched the NFC East and the No. 4 seed. Currently it would be the Seahawks vs. Redskins in a wild card game, provided the Seahawks can beat the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals to finish out the regular season. The football world will likely be focused more on the AFC in Week 17, though, especially with how tight the wild card race has become. The updated 2016 NFL playoff standings indicate the New York Jets just need to beat the Buffalo Bills to make the postseason now.

[Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images]