UPDATE, (10:20 p.m. ET): The 2014 NFL playoff schedule and bracket has been set.
2014 NFL playoff picture: Packers, Chargers wins clear up postseason seeding
Aaron Rodgers returned to the Packers and it was just what the doctor ordered. The playoff schedule has been set too.
Harry How
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Week 17 is in the books and one game remains to decide the NFL playoff picture. The NFC East champion will be decided on Sunday Night Football when the Dallas Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles, with the rest of the league's games now decided.
The biggest story from Sunday was the win-and-in matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Green Bay saw the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and he arrived just in time. The Packers won the game 33-28.
Here is your complete playoff picture for both conferences.
AFC
1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. New England Patriots (12-4)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
4. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
6. San Diego Chargers (9-7)
The door was open for the sixth seed to be in play when both the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins lost on Sunday. A Steelers win kept Pittsburgh in the hunt, and all that stood between them was one domino that refused to fall.
San Diego was facing a Chiefs team well aware of its status. Kansas City elected to take a pseudo bye week -- resting the majority of their starters in preparation for a wild card matchup. The Chargers’ near-collapse was averted at the last second, winning in overtime to keep their season alive.
Denver beat Oakland as expected, wrapping up the top seed in the AFC and gaining home field advantage through the playoffs .The Patriots won another divisional game against the Bills to hold onto a first-round bye.
Teams who were in the hunt have now been eliminated, forcing the Steelers, Ravens and Dolphins to prepare for 2014.
NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
2. Carolina Panthers (12-4)
3. Philadelphia Eagles OR Dallas Cowboys
4. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
6. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
Playoff seeding was the big question mark heading into Sunday. The Seattle Seahawks were playing to secure the NFC West and a No. 1 seed, which they did with a win over St. Louis. A win in Atlanta ensured the Panthers won the South, and will have a first round bye in second place.
The third spot in the NFC hinges entirely on Sunday Night Football. It’s another “win and in” game to close out the regular season.
New Orleans easily won their game against Tampa Bay, ensuring they locked up a wild card spot. San Francisco also solidified they spot in the postseason with a win over Arizona, eliminating them from playoff contention.
Arizona needed the help of other teams to settle their season, but a loss to San Francisco ensured they would miss the playoffs. Meanwhile the Packers came through at just the right time, and are now one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.
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