As the NFL playoff picture continues to coalesce, so does the cluster of teams that won't be shoehorning their way into it. In fact, by the time Week 17 concludes, the postseason qualifiers could be completely set − even if seeding still needs to be determined − while the group of 18 also-rans would also be finalized. A win by the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland on Sunday would lock all seven AFC entries into that side of the Super Bowl 60 tournament. The same would happen on the NFC side if the Carolina Panthers are able to put a bow on the NFC South without having to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers again in Week 18.
Heading into Sunday, here's a look at which clubs are already playing out the string − two already staked in Week 17 − and which ones could soon be doing so:
These are the teams that have already seen their postseason chances for 2025 extinguished:
▶ New York Giants (eliminated in Week 12)
▶ Arizona Cardinals (eliminated in Week 13)
