Week 14 was a wild one in the NFL, as teams continued to fight to rack up enough wins to make it to the playoffs. So far, four teams have a greater than 99% chance to make the postseason, while four other teams have already been eliminated from contention. This leaves more than 20 teams scrapping for just a handful of playoff spots and an opportunity to compete for the Super Bowl.
To determine how each NFL team will finish the 2021 season, 24/7 Tempo reviews each week FiveThirtyEight’s 2021 NFL Predictions, which are based on 50,000 simulated games and are updated after every game. The predictions are as of Dec. 14, 2021, and teams are ranked by their projected chance of winning the Super Bowl. Supplemental data came from Pro Football Reference.
Several of the week’s biggest games went right down to the last play, starting with the Thursday Steelers-Vikings game, in which Minnesota broke up a last-second pass in the endzone to secure a 36-28 win. The Cleveland Browns stymied a last-minute comeback attempt by the Baltimore Ravens to win 24-22 and push their record above .500. This game could have far-reaching consequences for the Ravens, as superstar QB Lamar Jackson left the game early with an ankle injury.
The Buffalo Bills nearly staged a huge comeback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, scoring 17 fourth quarter points to force overtime, but Tom Brady came up clutch again, throwing a game-winning 58-yard touchdown to Breshad Perriman in overtime. In the week’s only other overtime game, the San Francisco 49ers knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals with a Brandon Aiyuk game-winning touchdown catch from Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans took care of business with big wins over struggling divisional opponents. The New Orleans Saints kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the downtrodden New York Jets as did the Seattle Seahawks by beating the Houston Texans. A week after finally picking up their first win of the season, the Detroit Lions lost again, this time to the Denver Broncos, 38-10. These are the NFL teams with the all-time worst losing streak.
Click here to see your team’s chance to win the Super Bowl.
Source: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
> Current record: 2-11
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: Eliminated
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: Eliminated
> 2020 record: 1-15
[in-text-ad]
Source: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
31. Houston Texans
> Current record: 2-11
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: Eliminated
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: Eliminated
> 2020 record: 4-12
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
30. Detroit Lions
> Current record: 1-11-1
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: Eliminated
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: Eliminated
> 2020 record: 5-11
Source: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
29. New York Jets
> Current record: 3-10
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: Eliminated
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: Eliminated
> 2020 record: 2-14
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
28. Chicago Bears
> Current record: 4-9
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 0.3%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: <0.1%
> 2020 record: 8-8
Source: Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
27. Carolina Panthers
> Current record: 5-8
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 0.3%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: <0.1%
> 2020 record: 5-11
[in-text-ad]
Source: Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
26. New York Giants
> Current record: 4-9
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 1%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: <0.1%
> 2020 record: 6-10
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
25. Las Vegas Raiders
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 5%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: <0.1%
> 2020 record: 8-8
Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
24. Atlanta Falcons
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 12%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: <0.1%
> 2020 record: 4-12
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
23. Seattle Seahawks
> Current record: 5-8
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 3%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: <0.1%
> 2020 record: 12-4
Source: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
> Current record: 6-6-1
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 10%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.1%
> 2020 record: 12-4
[in-text-ad]
Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
21. New Orleans Saints
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 19%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.1%
> 2020 record: 12-4
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
20. Washington Football Team
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 27%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.2%
> 2020 record: 7-9
Source: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
19. Minnesota Vikings
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 29%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.3%
> 2020 record: 7-9
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
18. Miami Dolphins
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 10%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.3%
> 2020 record: 10-6
Source: Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
17. Denver Broncos
> Current record: 7-6
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 21%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.3%
> 2020 record: 5-11
[in-text-ad]
Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
16. Philadelphia Eagles
> Current record: 6-7
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 37%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.3%
> 2020 record: 4-11-1
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
15. Cincinnati Bengals
> Current record: 7-6
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 29%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.5%
> 2020 record: 4-11-1
Source: Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
14. Cleveland Browns
> Current record: 7-6
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 40%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 0.9%
> 2020 record: 11-5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
13. San Francisco 49ers
> Current record: 7-6
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 75%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 1%
> 2020 record: 6-10
Source: Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
12. Indianapolis Colts
> Current record: 7-6
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 67%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 2%
> 2020 record: 11-5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
11. Baltimore Ravens
> Current record: 8-5
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 74%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 3%
> 2020 record: 11-5
Source: Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
10. Buffalo Bills
> Current record: 7-6
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 66%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 3%
> 2020 record: 13-3
Source: Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
9. Dallas Cowboys
> Current record: 9-4
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: >99%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 4%
> 2020 record: 6-10
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
8. Los Angeles Rams
> Current record: 9-4
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 97%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 4%
> 2020 record: 10-6
Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
7. Tennessee Titans
> Current record: 9-4
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 99%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 5%
> 2020 record: 11-5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
6. Los Angeles Chargers
> Current record: 8-5
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 86%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 6%
> 2020 record: 7-9
Source: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
5. Arizona Cardinals
> Current record: 10-3
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: >99%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 7%
> 2020 record: 8-8
Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
4. Kansas City Chiefs
> Current record: 9-4
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 95%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 12%
> 2020 record: 14-2
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
3. New England Patriots
> Current record: 9-4
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: 98%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 15%
> 2020 record: 7-9
Source: Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2. Green Bay Packers
> Current record: 10-3
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: >99%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 18%
> 2020 record: 13-3
[in-text-ad]
Source: Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Current record: 10-3
> Pct. chance to make playoffs: >99%
> Pct. chance to win Super Bowl: 19%
> 2020 record: 11-5
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
