2022 NFL Playoffs: Who’s In, Who’s Out?

The drama about the ultimate teams that would make the N.F.L. postseason was not cleared up until finally the previous possible second of the common time, when the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday evening on a subject aim on the previous enjoy of overtime to declare just one of two remaining wild card berths in the A.F.C.

The Raiders’ 35-32 defeat of the Chargers finished the period for Los Angeles, and due to the fact the Indianapolis Colts (9-8) were being upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14) previously on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1) sneaked into the playoff field on the toughness of a win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Raiders and Chargers could have equally produced the playoffs with a tie, and for a great deal of overtime it seemed as if the groups could possibly be pleased without having a victory. But Daniel Carlson kicked a industry target as time expired to give Las Vegas the get, and a a little a lot more favorable playoff seeding.

The wild scenarios created the final video game of the period of abnormal consequence in the initially N.F.L. period with an expanded, 17-game normal year. The previous day of the time, which prolonged into the 2nd weekend of 2022, provided 5 A.F.C. groups fighting for the two remaining berths and the San Francisco 49ers taking the final place in the N.F.C. with a gain in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams.

What occurred on Saturday

The two online games finished on Saturday went in accordance to seed, retaining the winners alive for bigger playoff seeding. The Kansas City Chiefs, who defeat the Denver Broncos, remained in the jogging for the top seed in the A.F.C. and a very first-spherical bye, and ended any long-shot likelihood that the New England Patriots or Cincinnati Bengals may take the No. 1 seed for them selves.

The late activity involving the playoff-sure Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles was mainly meaningless — and lifeless, due to the fact the Eagles rested their beginning quarterback, Jalen Hurts, and had a raft of Covid-19-connected absences — but it served identify both teams’ seeding in the N.F.C.

The Eagles, for instance, will perform the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4). The Bucs cruised into the postseason with an straightforward get at property that saw them established the team record for regular-season wins they experienced established in their Super Bowl-profitable time in 2002.

Sunday’s early online games

In the course of the early games on Sunday, the Tennessee Titans sewed up the No. 1 seed in the A.F.C. by keeping off the lowly Houston Texans. That wiped out Kansas City’s hopes for the leading seed and the to start with-spherical bye.

The Colts unsuccessful to clinch one particular of the two remaining A.F.C. wild-card berths by losing to the Jaguars, 1 of the league’s worst groups. A Colts victory would have shut the door on the playoffs for both of those the Ravens and the Steelers.

The Bengals (10-6) had already received the A.F.C. North, but with Kansas City’s acquire on Saturday, their sport in opposition to the Cleveland Browns did not aid their playoff seeding.

Sunday’s late afternoon game titles

The Buffalo Expenditures (11-6) and the Patriots (10-7), who experienced equally secured playoff spots before Sunday, were being battling for the A.F.C. East crown, which considerably affected their seeding. The Charges conquer the Jets (4-13) and the Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins (9-8), handing the division crown to the Bills and forcing the Patriots to travel following weekend … to Buffalo.

The Arizona Cardinals (11-6) shed a chance to claim the N.F.C. West by falling short from the Seattle Seahawks (7-10), handing the divisional title to the Los Angeles Rams (12-5), who misplaced to the San Francisco 49ers (10-7) in time beyond regulation.

The 49ers’ victory also eradicated the New Orleans Saints (9-8), who defeat the Atlanta Falcons (7-10).

The Green Bay Packers (13-4) experienced previously clinched the leading seed and a initial-round bye in the N.F.C.