AFC Playoff Picture:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
The Chiefs continue to lead the AFC with an 11-1 record, although their victory over the Raiders, like most of their wins, was hard-fought. They lead the Buffalo Bills by a game in the AFC, but Buffalo holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. Kansas City also maintains a three-game lead in the AFC West and will seal the division this weekend with a win.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
Buffalo clinched the AFC East with a key win over the 49ers in the snow. They are one game behind the Chiefs for the top seed in the AFC, but their head-to-head advantage could help them in case of a tie. They will be keen not to slip up to give them a shot at having the Chiefs at home in the post-season.
Remaining Schedule: at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have extended their lead in the AFC North following their win over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. While they still have a chance to secure a higher seed in the AFC, their primary focus will be on maintaining their lead over the Ravens in the division, especially with a tough remaining schedule.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals
4. Houston Texans (8-5)
The Houston Texans currently lead the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South by two games, along with holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. Despite their form being somewhat inconsistent and a tough remaining schedule ahead, the Texans are in a very strong position to clinch the division and secure a top-4 seed in the AFC.
Remaining Schedule: Bye, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans
5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Despite facing a tough stretch with their next three games against teams with at least .500 records, the Chargers remain in a strong position to secure a Wild Card spot in the AFC.
Remaining Schedule: at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders
6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
After their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and another Pittsburgh Steelers victory, the Baltimore Ravens' hopes of winning the AFC North were significantly dampened. However, the Ravens are still well-positioned to secure a Wild Card spot if they can't overtake Pittsburgh.
Remaining Schedule: Bye, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns
7. Denver Broncos (8-5)
The Denver Broncos currently hold a Wild Card spot in the AFC but with several challenging games ahead, their next matchup against the Indianapolis Colts could prove pivotal. A victory for the Colts would close the gap to just one win behind the Broncos in the Wild Card race and, crucially, give them the tiebreaker over Denver.
Remaining Schedule: Bye, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
The Indianapolis Colts' next game against the Denver Broncos will be critical to their Wildcard hopes. A win in Denver would put them in a strong position to catch up to the Broncos, especially since their remaining schedule afterc features matchups against teams already out of playoff contention.
Remaining Schedule: Bye, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars
9. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
The Dolphins’ playoff hopes took a critical hit with a loss to the Packers. They now sit some way off the Broncos for that last Wildcard spot and likely have to sweep their last 5 opponents to have a shot at squeezing into a Wildcard Spot.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
The Cincinnati Bengals' slim hopes of making a late playoff run were effectively dashed following their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Serious questions will be raised about how a team with such a high-powered offense finds itself at 4-8.
Remaining Schedule: at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers
NFC Playoff Picture:
1. Detroit Lions (11-1)
After a 10-game win streak, the Detroit Lions now lead the NFC North and hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC. However, with challenging matchups ahead against the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers to come, they face significant work to not only maintain the No. 1 seed but also secure the NFC North title.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
Riding an eight game win streak and with a relatively manageable remaining schedule, the Philadelphia Eagles will be focused on overtaking the Lions for the top spot in the conference. They do have to still do some work to secure the NFC East but a win this week but give them a three game lead over Washington.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Seattle is atop the NFC West by a game and holds the tiebreaker over Arizona for the division lead. Their remaining schedule features crucial matchups against divisional rivals, which will be key to maintaining their position. However, they also face tough challenges with upcoming games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings at home.
Remaining Schedule: at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
The Falcons are tied with the Buccaneers for the NFC South lead but have the tiebreaker edge. However, they’ve lost three in a row and need to turn things around. They will be hoping a return to Minnesota can spark Kirk Cousins who has struggled badly in recent weeks.
Remaining Schedule: at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
The Minnesota Vikings are currently the top wild-card team in the NFC and all but in the playoffs. However, their loss to the Detroit Lions has made it harder for them to catch Detroit for the NFC North title. Despite this, the Vikings are still very much in the race, and a rematch in Week 18 could potentially decide the division.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions
6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
The Green Bay Packers currently hold a Wild Card spot, and with their record are in a very strong position for the playoffs. With critical matchups against divisional foes to come, they do still have an outside chance in the NFC NOrth.
Remaining Schedule: at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears
7. Washington Commanders (8-5)
After snapping their three-game losing streak with an easy win over the Tennessee Titans, the Washington Commanders have solidified their playoff chances. While that losing stretch likely ended their hopes of winning the NFC East, they remain in a strong position to hold onto a Wild Card spot.
Remaining Schedule: Bye, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South lead but find themselves trailing in the division due to having been swept by Atlanta in their head-to-head matchups. Another route to the playoffs is the last Wild Card spot in the NFC where they hold an important tiebreaker over Washington.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints
9. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
The Arizona Cardinals, after two consecutive losses, now find themselves one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West division lead. With two favorable matchups and three divisional games still to play, the Cardinals will be optimistic about their chances of winning the NFC West.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers
10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
The Rams are in an interesting spot sitting just behind the Seahawks (who they’ve beaten) and level with the Cardinals (who they lost to) in the NFC West race. Their remaining schedule includes important matchups with each divisional rival, and they have shown last year they can go on a run to reach the playoffs.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
The San Francisco 49ers' playoff hopes are looking very slim after their loss to the Buffalo Bills. They now trail the Seattle Seahawks by two games in the NFC West, and with the Wild Card spots becoming increasingly difficult to reach, their path to the postseason relies heavily on winning their final five games.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals
12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
The Dallas Cowboys are still mathematically alive in the playoff race, but have a long road ahead. The Cowboys do hold a head-to-head win over the Commanders, and they have a crucial opportunity to complete the sweep in their final matchup of the season.
Remaining Schedule: vs. Bengals, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders
