The NFL handed out playoff berths in Week 16 like Oprah giving gifts at Christmas.
After eight teams clinched, what’s left to be decided? The playoff spot that goes to the winner of the worst division in each conference (AFC North and NFC South) and one wild card race in each conference where the magic number is one.
Actually, the chase for the two No. 1 playoff seeds is the most compelling storyline left.
And that speaks to the idea that the NFL is incredibly top- and bottom-heavy this season, with so few teams in the middle: Eight teams have at least 11 wins and seven teams have at least 11 losses.
Who’s the worst? The Giants and Raiders will decide that in Week 17.
Who’s the best?
Let’s try to guess in The Post’s Week 17 power rankings:
1. Seahawks 12-3 (5)
Sam Darnold backed up his touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a two-point conversion pass to Eric Saubert to finish off a 38-37 overtime victory against the Rams. The Seahawks overcame a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit and became the first team in NFL history to win on a walk-off two-point conversion. Rashid Shaheed’s 58-yard punt return touchdown and Zach Charbonnet’s controversial two-point conversion fumble recovery were key plays.
2. Bills 11-4 (3)
James Cook ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns to pick up the slack as Josh Allen labored through a foot injury suffered early in a 23-20 victory against the Browns. When it wasn’t Cook, Ty Johnson also scored on the ground. Allen was held without a rushing or passing touchdown for the third time this season in the Bills’ fourth straight win.
3. Patriots 12-3 (4)
K’Lavon Chaisson hustled to strip the ball from behind and create the turnover that made an 11-point fourth-quarter comeback stand up in a 28-24 victory against the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens. Drake Maye threw for a ridiculous 380 yards, including 138 to Stefon Diggs, and directed a go-ahead- 89-yard drive. Rhamondre Stevenson scored the touchdown in the injured TreVeyon Henderson’s absence.
4. Broncos 12-3 (1)
The Broncos’ 11-game winning streak was snapped in a 34-20 loss to the Jaguars. Bo Nix threw a fourth-down interception across midfield to end a drive that could’ve cut the deficit to one score in the fourth quarter. The Broncos committed two big penalties on a drive that ended with Trevor Lawrence’s 1-yard third-quarter touchdown run to break the tie for good.
5. Rams 11-4 (2)
Matthew Stafford threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns even without Davante Adams, and Puka Nacua hauled in 12 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a loss. Nakua’s second touchdown briefly put the Rams ahead of the Seahawks in overtime. Special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn paid the price for the Rams’ 16-point fourth-quarter collapse when he was fired.
6. Bears 11-4 (6)
Caleb Williams went for the jugular in overtime and hit D.J. Moore for a 46-yard walk-off touchdown in a 22-16 win against the Packers. The Bears looked dead after mismanaging the clock right before the two-minute warning, but they scored 16 points (including their only two touchdowns) in the final seven minutes of action – a comeback aided by a rare onside-kick recovery.
7. Jaguars 11-4 (9)
Lawrence’s heater continued as he backed up a six-touchdown performance against the hapless Jets with a four-touchdown masterpiece in the upset of the Broncos. Lawrence accounted for four total touchdowns, including finding three different receivers for scores. Parker Washington made six catches for a career-high 145 yards as the “small market” Jaguars extended their winning streak to six games.
8. 49ers 11-4 (8)
Is anyone still debating whether Brock Purdy is a franchise quarterback? He threw five touchdown passes, including two to Christian McCaffrey, in a 48-27 victory against the Colts. Dee Winters put the bow on the win with a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown as the Colts were driving with 3:26 to go. McCaffrey added 117 yards on the ground.
9. Chargers 11-4 (10)
After surrendering touchdowns on their first two defensive series, the Chargers tightened things up and ended the Cowboys’ hopes of winning a shootout by allowing just three more points the rest of the way in a 34-17 victory. Justin Herbert tossed two touchdown passes – including a perfectly thrown ball to Quentin Johnston – and ran for a touchdown.
10. Packers 9-5-1 (7)
Malik Willis was impressive off the bench for the concussed Jordan Love until overtime, when he fumbled away a fourth-down snap that set up the Bears’ game-winner. Romeo Doubs scored but also mishandled the onside kick that opened the door for a meltdown after the Packers had a 99.1 percent win probability. Josh Jacobs lost a fumble near the goal line.
11. Texans 10-5 (11)
12. Eagles 10-5 (12)
13. Steelers 9-6 (14)
14. Panthers 8-7 (17)
15. Lions 8-7 (13)
16. Ravens 7-8 (15)
17. Vikings 7-8 (19)
18. Colts 8-7 (16)
19. Buccaneers 7-8 (18)
20. Falcons 6-9 (23)
21. Saints 5-10 (24)
22. Bengals 5-10 (25)
23. Cowboys 6-8-1 (21)
24. Dolphins 6-9 (20)
25. Chiefs 6-9 (22)
26. Commanders 4-11 (26)
27. Titans 3-12 (29)
28. Jets 3-12 (27)
It sure looked like the tank was on with undrafted rookie Brady Cook (eight sacks, interception, fumble) at quarterback as Tyrod Taylor watched helplessly in a 29-6 loss to the Saints. It was a rude welcome back to New Orleans for former Saints assistant coach Aaron Glenn. The Jets’ longest rush went for seven yards. Where did their pass rush go?
29. Cardinals 3-12 (28)
30. Browns 3-12 (30)
31. Giants 2-13 (31)
Some of the luster came off of Jaxson Dart as the Giants, losers of nine straight, seemed afraid to let the rookie drop back against a blitz-heavy defense while falling 16-13 to the Vikings. Dart threw for 33 yards but took five sacks and was intercepted. Tyler Nubin scored a defensive touchdown and Jevon Holland would’ve too if not for a penalty flag.