Sports
2023-2024 NFL playoffs clinching scenarios: Bills head to Miami with hopes of securing AFC No 2 seed
The race to the playoffs comes down to this.
The NFL is entering the final week of the regular season and nine teams have already clinched their spot in the postseason. With just one game left on the schedule and five spots remaining, fans can expect to see some of the most exciting football of the year.
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) celebrates a kickoff return for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium in Houston on Dec. 24, 2023. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Among the scenarios heading into the weekend, the Buffalo Bills have one of the more interesting breakdowns.
A win against the Miami Dolphins would guarantee the Bills the division title and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Without a win, Buffalo could also advance with a loss or tie by the Pittsburgh Steelers, a loss or tie by the Jacksonville Jaguars, or a tie between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
Interestingly, there is a scenario (a complicated one) that could see Buffalo go in the opposite direction.
If Pittsburgh were to pull off a victory over the top-seed Baltimore Ravens, and the Jaguars defeated the Titans, and the Texans-Colts game ended in anything but a tie, and the Bills fell short on Sunday, Buffalo’s season would come to an end.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
All four things would need to happen for this outcome, but nothing is guaranteed.
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The Bills have had an up-and-down season. Entering the bye week, the Bills held a 6-6 record and their hopes of reaching the playoffs were in question. But after returning to the field, Buffalo pulled ahead, winning four straight.
“I really think it’s just about our players continuing to grow every week,” head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday after a win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“Our coaches have done a phenomenal job of working on things with them, developing players at the individual level and then at the unit level as well. I really believe that the players have taken on that challenge head-on, and they’ve come together and formed an identity as a football team. I’ve just been very impressed by that over the last few weeks in particular.”
Several other teams face similar situations with just one game left. Read below to see which teams are sitting comfortably, which will be waiting on the final whistle, and which teams will have to watch the playoffs from home, per the NFL.
MOVING ON
AFC
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens high-fives a fan at halftime of the game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Dec. 25, 2023. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
1. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 13-3, AFC North division title
2. Miami Dolphins
Record: 11-5, 1st in AFC East
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 10-6, AFC West division title
4. Cleveland Browns
Record: 11-5, 2nd in AFC North
NFC
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
1. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 12-4, NFC West division title
2. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 11-5, 1st in NFC East
3. Detroit Lions
Record: 11-5, NFC North division title
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 11-5, 2nd in NFC East
5. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 9-7, 2nd in NFC West
IN THE HUNT
AFC
Case Keenum (18) of the Houston Texans hands the ball off to Devin Singletary during the second half, Dec. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Houston Texans clinch AFC South division title with:
1. HOU win + JAX loss or tie
Houston clinches playoff berth with:
1. HOU win OR
2. HOU tie + JAX loss + PIT loss or tie
–
Indianapolis Colts clinch AFC South division title with:
1. IND win + JAX loss or tie OR
2. IND tie + JAX loss
Indianapolis clinches playoff berth with:
1. IND win OR
2. IND tie + PIT loss or tie
–
Jacksonville Jaguars clinch AFC South division title with:
1. JAX win OR
2. JAX tie + HOU-IND tie
Jacksonville clinches playoff berth with:
1. JAX tie + PIT loss or tie OR
2. PIT loss + DEN loss or tie + HOU-IND doesn’t end in tie
–
Pittsburgh Steelers clinch playoff berth with:
1. PIT win + BUF loss OR
2. PIT win + JAX loss or tie OR
3. PIT win + HOU-IND tie OR
4. PIT tie + JAX loss + HOU-IND doesn’t end in tie OR
5. JAX loss + DEN win + HOU-IND doesn’t end in tie
NFC
Taylor Heinicke (4) of the Atlanta Falcons hands the ball off to Tyler Allgeier during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts, Dec. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons clinch NFC South division title with:
1. ATL win + TB loss
–
Green Bay Packers clinch playoff berth with:
1. GB win OR
2. GB tie + SEA loss or tie + NO loss or tie OR
3. GB tie + SEA loss + TB loss OR
4. GB tie + SEA tie + TB loss or tie OR
5. MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss OR
6. MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + NO loss
–
Minnesota Vikings clinch playoff berth with:
1. MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + TB loss OR
2. MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + NO loss
–
New Orleans Saints clinch NFC South division title with:
1. NO win + TB loss or tie OR
2. NO tie + TB loss
New Orleans clinches playoff berth with:
1. NO win + SEA loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR
2. NO tie + SEA loss + GB loss
–
Seattle Seahawks clinch playoff berth with:
1. SEA win + GB loss or tie OR
2. SEA tie + GB loss + TB loss or tie OR
3. SEA tie + GB loss + NO loss or tie
–
Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinch NFC South division title with:
1. TB win OR
2. TB tie + NO loss or tie
Tampa Bay clinches playoff berth with:
1. TB tie + SEA loss + GB loss or tie
Week 18 kicks off with the Ravens hosting the Steelers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET and closes out with the Bills in Miami on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET.
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Sports
Deputies shatter Tiger Woods’ back windshield after he requests to keep prized possession, bodycam shows
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When Tiger Woods crashed his car last Friday, arguably his most prized possession was with him in the trunk: his golf clubs.
Woods’ 2025 Range Rover turned onto its driver’s side in the crash and nearly two hours later, the 15-time major champion was arrested for driving under the influence.
Authorities arrived on the scene and talked with Woods’ manager, Rob McNamara, who said the clubs were extremely important.
Golfer Tiger Woods checks his cellphone while sitting in an unmarked police vehicle after a car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
“I understand,” a deputy said, as bodycam footage revealed. “Worth more than my house.”
“The putter is worth more than all of our houses,” McNamara replied.
Woods later said that the “sticks” were the only thing he needed, especially the putter, which he “won 14 majors” with. Woods used another putter for the 1997 Masters, his first major victory, which he won by 12 strokes.
TIGER WOODS’ TEAMMATE CALLS GOLFER’S DUI ARREST ‘VERY DISTURBING’
The deputy on camera told a tow employee that there was “expensive s—” in the trunk from a “high-profile person” that needed to be extracted from the vehicle. However, as a result of the crash, the trunk was unable to be opened. So, a member of a local fire department shattered the back windshield, and authorities slipped the clubs through the windshield and gave them to McNamara, keeping them safe and sound.
The clubs were in a Monster Energy branded bag, and his driver was covered with Woods’ notorious tiger cover head.
Tiger Woods’ clubs were extracted from his car after officers broke his back windshield. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
TIGER WOODS UTTERS SARCASTIC 3-WORD REMARK AFTER GETTING PLACED IN BACK OF COP CAR DURING DUI ARREST
The deputy found one of Woods’ Sun Day Red shirts, which he joked was more than one of his paychecks.
Woods was placed in the vehicle after failing a field sobriety test, taken after he showed “signs of impairment” and was “lethargic.” He blew “triple-zeroes” in a breathalyzer, but after he failed to submit a urine test, he was hit with another charge. Officers found two pills that were later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used for pain relief.
Woods previously told law enforcement prior to the field sobriety tests that he underwent seven back surgeries and “over 20 operations on his leg.” He told law enforcement that “I take a few” prescription medications. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.
Woods told officers he was “hoping to” play in the Masters, but in a statement earlier this week, Woods said he would pause his quest to get back on the golf course to “seek treatment.”
A deputy joked that Woods’ clubs were “worth more than my house.” (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
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“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods said in a statement Tuesday posted to social media.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
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Sports
Luka Doncic’s hamstring injury will test Lakers’ depth on eve of NBA playoffs
OKLAHOMA CITY — In the aftermath of their worst loss of the season, few Lakers players or coaches had spoken to Luka Doncic after he limped off the court in the third quarter Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Austin Reaves didn’t know the extent of Doncic’s hamstring injury, but he knew how the Lakers superstar would approach the latest hurdle in this winding season.
“He’s a competitor,” Reaves said of Doncic, “so he’ll do all he can do to put himself in a position to come back when he can.”
Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday on the left hamstring injury he suffered in a 43-point loss to the Thunder. He already missed four games before the All-Star break with the same injury, but the Lakers withheld expectations on his status for the final five regular-season games.
After Sunday’s game in Dallas, the Lakers face the Thunder at home Tuesday, play consecutive games at Golden State on Thursday and against Phoenix at home Friday and finish the regular season April 12 against Utah.
Doncic’s injury left the Lakers backcourt extra shorthanded Thursday as Marcus Smart missed his sixth consecutive game Thursday. The veteran guard could return against Dallas, coach JJ Redick said. He has been day-to-day since injuring his right ankle against Orlando on March 21.
If Smart is unable to return in Doncic’s absence, the Lakers could shift even more ball-handling responsibility to Reaves and LeBron James while relying on Bronny James as an additional guard off the bench. The 21-year-old James has played in five consecutive games, tying his longest stretch of his second pro season.
The Lakers (50-27) are already guaranteed a top-six seed in the Western Conference, but are still jostling for seeding. They have a one-game lead for the No. 3 seed over No. 4 Denver, which is on a seven-game winning streak.
Approaching the end of the regular season, the Lakers looked at Thursday’s game against the defending NBA champions as a test, forward Jake LaRavia said. They were 15-2 in March with 13 wins in their last 14 games. The Lakers were playing like an evolved form of the team that lost by 29 to the Thunder in Oklahoma City in November.
But like that first rout, Thursday’s featured a flurry of Lakers turnovers, suffocating Oklahoma City ball pressure and an efficient masterclass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“This close to the end of the season, we would’ve wanted it not to go that way,” said LaRavia, who had six points and a team-high eight rebounds Thursday. “It was pretty much the same story, I feel like, the first time we played here this year.”
The Lakers built much of their March success on successful revenge performances. They bounced back after previous losses to the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and the Orlando Magic. They lost by seven to the Nuggets on March 5 then responded with nine consecutive wins, their longest winning streak of the season, including an overtime thriller against Denver that clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker that could factor into the tight standings.
Redick praised his team’s “playoff mentality” during the run. It was also when the team was largely its healthiest.
Doncic had played all but one game since the All-Star break. Reaves, who missed six weeks with a calf injury this season, has started in 22 consecutive games. When James returned from an elbow injury, the star trio found a clear hierarchy that lifted the team to new heights.
Doncic, who became just the 10th player in NBA history to score 600 points in a single month, is the “head of the snake,” said James, who is averaging just 12.3 shots in the last 12 games but is shooting 54.4% from the field. Doncic’s brilliant March unified the team behind his most valuable player push, his thrilling shot-making and even his smiling dunk against Washington.
With the team exuding the type of joy that often characterizes Doncic’s game, James believes the Lakers can maintain their momentum despite Doncic’s uncertain status and a deflating loss.
“Nothing is rattled,” James said. “It’s one game, it’s part of the NBA season, it’s the defending champions. We get it. We understand.”
Sports
Phil Mickelson withdraws from the Masters, joins Tiger Woods in sitting out signature major
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As Tiger Woods steps away from golf and won’t be playing in the Masters next week, another golf legend won’t be on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson released a statement Thursday saying he won’t be playing in this year’s tournament.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” Mickelson’s statement on social media said.
Phil Mickelson plays a shot from the fifth tee during LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City in Johannesburg March 20, 2026. (Johan Rynners/Getty Images)
“I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley also released a statement after Mickelson’s decision.
TIGER WOODS DECLINES RYDER CUP CAPTAINCY AFTER DUI, CAR CRASH
“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament, and he will be missed by everyone in Augusta next week,” Ridley’s statement said. “He has our complete supports as he takes time to be with his family.”
The 55-year-old Mickelson missed four LIV Golf events earlier this year, and he noted he was dealing with a “family health matter.”
Phil Mickelson walks the 16th fairway during LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Ind., Aug. 16, 2025. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
He was on the course in South Africa two weeks ago, leading his HyFlyers GC squad for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48 in the event.
Mickelson’s Masters announcement comes after Woods stepped away from golf “to seek treatment” following a DUI arrest after a rollover crash Friday in Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods, a 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson sat atop the golf world, beginning in the late 1990s and through the 2010s. While Woods usually sat atop the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six majors over his storied career.
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC walks on the first green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort Aug. 23, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
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So, two golf icons won’t be at Augusta National come next week, when the 90th edition of the Masters tees off Thursday, April 9.
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