NFL playoff standings 2016: How the Week 16 schedule shaped the postseason

Nine teams had the opportunity to clinch playoff spots in Week 16, but there isn’t room for everyone in the pool. With four teams already set for some bonus football heading into the week, the race to the postseason is getting dramatic.

The weekend’s biggest game fell on Sunday, when one of the NFL’s hottest rivalries coincides with the chance to crown a division champion. The Steelers hosted the Ravens in the 46th iteration of this mid-Atlantic showdown, and the Steelers’ dramatic 31-27 victory gave them the win and the AFC North title.

That’s a familiar scenario; in the 21 seasons the Ravens have been a franchise, one of these two teams has won the AFC North 13 times.

The Giants, Falcons, and Texans all clinched a spot Saturday, joining the Cowboys, Patriots, Seahawks, and Raiders in the postseason club. The Chiefs also secured a spot before the kickoff of their game with the Broncos due to the Ravens’ loss, and the Dolphins are also in after the Chiefs won Sunday night.

Here’s what each game means in the intensifying race to the 2017 NFL playoffs. All games take place on Saturday this week unless otherwise noted. All times are Eastern.

Not only did the loss keep the Giants from clinching a playoff spot, but it also gave the division title to the Cowboys. However, the Giants still locked down a postseason berth Saturday when the Bucs lost.

The Dolphins sealed a wild card spot with the win and the Broncos’ loss to the Chiefs.

Kirk Cousins’ team will have to win next week — and hope the Packers and Lions don’t tie — to ensure a second straight postseason bid.

THE BROWNS WON A GAME.

Week 17’s showdown with the Lions in Detroit becomes the NFC North’s title game. Even if Green Bay doesn’t win its division, Aaron Rodgers would be in good shape for a wild card bid.

The Raiders won too, so the top seed in the AFC won’t be decided until next week.

The Falcons clinched the NFC South after the win and the Bucs’ loss to the Saints.

Interim coach Doug Marrone gets a win, and not much else.

The Raiders continue their march toward an AFC West title, but they suffered a big loss when Derek Carr broke his leg.

The Cleveland Browns won a game AND can get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft thanks to the 49ers’ win. Merry Christmas, Cleveland.

The Saints were eliminated before kickoff, but they kept the rival Bucs from clinching a playoff spot this week.

Bruce Arians gets something to build on for 2017, and Seattle drops out of the No. 2 spot in the NFC.

The AFC South title belongs to Houston.

The Steelers win the AFC North and make it three straight seasons in the playoffs.

The Chiefs’ spot in the playoffs is already secure, so a win means the AFC West crown remains within reach. All they need is to beat the Chargers next week and for the Raiders to lose to the Broncos, who are officially eliminated from the postseason.

The Lions will be playing for the NFC North title, and their playoff lives, next week. For Dallas, the win only means that there will be more questions of whether the Cowboys should sit their starters next week.

Here’s what the standings look like after Week 16: