The New England Patriots, the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos all won on Sunday to book their spots in the playoffs with four weeks to spare.

The Atlanta Falcons also advanced to the postseason, leaving eight places up for grabs, when they clinched the NFC South Division after they won on Thursday and Tampa Bay lost on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens (9-3) missed their first chance to qualify when they were beaten 23-20 by their AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5).