How NFL Playoff Picture is Impacted By Chiefs vs. Steelers, Ravens vs. Texans Games

This post will be updated live as games go final, but includes conditional possibilities based on the results of Christmas Day games, barring ties.

In the spring months when the NFL schedule is mapped out, it's a nearly impossible task to predict what teams will be relevant to the playoff picture late in the season. This year's schedule aficianados—and surely, helpful schedule optimizing algorithms—did great with their selection of the four teams scheduled for Christmas Day.

All four teams—the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans—are relevant to the NFL playoff picture in the AFC. Here's how the playoff picture looks as of Wednesday's outcomes.

Later this week, several teams can clinch playoff positioning.

How the NFL Playoff Picture Looks With Chiefs Win, Steelers Loss

Here's how things will look with a Chiefs win. The biggest change: They clinch the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC if they beat the Steelers. If they lose, they can also clinch it with a win next week.