The playoff race is heating up in the NFL, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came close to consolidating the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2007 when the Arizona Cardinals moved back to No. 7. The Green Bay Packers get the top seed with a win in the NFC and a defeat to the New Orleans Saints. At the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs have the first-ranked seed at the conference while the Tennessee Titans are at the top of the AFC South.
Below, you can find a breakdown of the current conditions, how each club performed in Week 14 and what’s next on the schedule.
AFC East
Buffalo bill
What to know: With their win over the Stiffers, Buffalo are two points ahead of the Duffins in the AFC East. The BLS sit as the third-ranked seed in the AFC standings, a game behind Pittsburgh in second place, but have a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Steelers after Sunday’s win.
Pending schedule: At the Broncos, at the Patriots, vs. Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
What to know: The Dolphins are in the AFC playoffs picture despite the loss to the Chiefs. They will watch the Colts-Riders game up close.
Pending schedule: Vs. Patriots, on Riders, on Bill
New England Patriots
What to know: England’s new playoff hopes hit the Rams hard with an embarrassing loss. For the first time since 2002, New England will not win 10 games in a single season, ending 17 consecutive seasons. They need to win to get a chance.
Pending schedule: Dolphins, vs. Bill, vs. Jets
New York Jets
What to know: The Jets were blown up by the Sea-Hawks and fell 0-13 on the year, the worst start in franchise history. They are in line for the No. 1 draft pick.
Pending schedule: Rams, v. Browns, in the Patriots
AFC North
|
Z-Steelers |
11 |
2 |
0 |
.846 |
+112 |
|
Browns |
9 |
3 |
0 |
.750 |
-15 |
|
Crows |
6 |
4 |
0 |
.600 |
+73 |
|
Bangles |
2 |
10 |
. |
.192 |
-93 |
Z-Clinked Playoff Spots
Pittsburgh Steelers
What to know: The Steelers are the No. 2 seed in the AFC standings after the loss of BL, falling outside the top spot in the AFC, which now belongs to the Chiefs. They led Brown to 1.5 games at FC North, holding the tiebreaker to Cleveland (a head-to-head record).
Pending schedule: Bengals, Vs. At Colts, Browns
Cleveland Browns
What to know: TBD after Monday’s game vs. Ravens
Next game: Vs. Ravens, at Giants, at Jets, vs. Steelers
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: TBD after Monday’s game at the Browns
Pending schedule: Browns, vs. Jaguars, vs. Giants, at the Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
What to know: The Bengals are in position for a top-three draft pick after a loss to the Cowboys. They have the third-worst record in the NFL.
Pending schedule: At Texans, v. Stavlers, vs. Ravens
AFC South
|
Titans |
9 |
4 |
0 |
.692 |
+54 |
|
Colt |
9 |
4 |
0 |
.692 |
+72 |
|
Texans |
4 |
9 |
0 |
.308 |
-64 |
|
Jaguars |
. |
12 |
0 |
.077 |
-122 |
Tennessee Titans
What to know: The Titans will capture AFC South’s victory with a symbolic victory over Jaguar. He will be the No. 4 seed in the conference standing. They have a tiebreaker over Indianapolis based on the best winning percentage in division games.
Pending schedule: On Paxers, on Texans, Lions Vs.
Indianapolis Colts
What to know: The Colts reach the seeded seed at the convention stand, approaching the playoff berth with a landslide victory over the Riders. Tennessee has earned a tiebreaker over Indianapolis based on its best win percentage in division games.
Pending schedule: Versus Textans, at Steelers, Jaguar Vs.
Houston Texans
What to know: The loss to the Bears seals the season of losing the Texans for the first time since 2017. The Texans don’t even have a draft to return as they already have a trade.
Pending schedule: Colts, v. Bengals, vs. Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: Jacksonville lost its 12th consecutive game and looked for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Jaguars have the second-worst record in the NFL.
Pending schedule: At Ravens, Vs. Bear, at Colts
AFC West
X-Clashed Division Title
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs won the AFC West title with a win over the Dolphins. They are also the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the loss of BL’s Steelers.
Pending schedule: Saints, Vs. Falcons, vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Riders
What to know: The Raiders needed a win against the Colts to get into the AFC playoff picture. They are a game behind the Dolphins for the final playoff spot in which a week comes down to 16 sh. Vegas ranks ninth in conference standing.
Pending schedule: In the Broncos vs. Chargers, vs. Dolphins
Denver Broncos
What to know: Denver went on to win Carolina’s fourth quarter, their fifth win of the season. The Broncos need to win for the .500 season.
Pending schedule: Bill vs. Chargers, vs. Riders
Los Angeles Chargers
What to know: The win over the Falcons improves the Chargers’ record, and the Los Angeles Draft is in the top-five pick argument. Not bad considering they got their franchise quarterback.
Pending schedule: Riders, Vs. At the Broncos, Chiefs
NFC East
|
And Washington Washington |
6 |
7 |
0 |
.462 |
+12 |
|
Giants |
5 |
8 |
0 |
.385 |
-53 |
|
Eagles |
4 |
8 |
. |
.346 |
-51 |
|
Cowboy |
4 |
9 |
0 |
.307 |
-85 |
The Washington Washington Football Team
What to know: Washington Shington won his fifth consecutive game and added an NFC East East lead with three games. The Football York team will have to finish a game ahead of the Giants to win the division title as New York led them to a head-to-head match this year.
Pending schedule: Eagles vs. Seahawks, vs. Panthers
New York Giants
What to know: The Giants were knocked out of the NFC East East lead by beating Washington Shingt by 49ers. The Giants picked up Washington Washington this year, so they will need to build them to win the division. They are two games out of the final wild card spot.
Pending schedule: Vs. Browns, at Ravens, vs. Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
What to know: The Eagles are not yet out of the division race, breaking their nine-game winning streak, with a big upset victory over the Saints. They will need to beat Arizona to get a chance at the division title, as Washington has 1.5 games above them for the division lead.
Pending schedule: At the Cardinals, at the Cowboys, Vs. And Washington Washington
Dallas Cowboys
What to know: The Cowboys survive the NFC East race with a convincing win over the Bengals. The day after Washington Washington’s loss, the Cowboys will have a game outside the division lead.
Pending schedule: Vs. 49ers, vs Eagles, on Giants
NFC North
|
x-packers |
10 |
3 |
0 |
.769 |
+87 |
|
Vikings |
6 |
7 |
0 |
.461 |
-22 |
|
Bear |
6 |
7 |
0 |
.462 |
-9 |
|
Lions |
5 |
8 |
0 |
.385 |
-79 |
x-Clinched section title
Green Bay Packers
What to know: The Packers are the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with the Eagles winning and the Saints losing. They have a tiebreaker based on beating the Saints at the start of the season.
Pending schedule: Bears vs. Panthers, vs. Titans
Minnesota Vikings
What to know: The Buccaneers and Cardinals in Minnesota, NCAC come out at No. 7 and the final playoff seed with a loss to win over the Giants. The Vikings are ranked 8th in a game from the final playoff spot and are based on a percentage of head-to-head wins over a tiebreaker win over Chicago.
Pending schedule: Bear vs. Saints, at Lion
Chicago Bears
What to know: The Bears broke the five-game losing streak to the Texans and re-emerged in the NFC playoff race. Chicago is the 9th seeded seed in the Conference Standings, a game behind the Cardinals for the final playoff spot. Minnesota owns a tiebreaker over Chicago, based on a head-to-head win percentage.
Pending schedule: At the Vikings, at the Jaguars, vs. the Packers
Detroit Lions
What to know: Detroit falls-8 and falls in two games from the final playoff spot in the NFC, currently ranked 10th in the conference. His playoff hopes are a long shot, but in the final two weeks he plays two teams standing in front of him.
Pending schedule: At the Titans, Vs. Buccaneers, Vs. Vikings
NFC South
|
Z-saints |
10 |
3 |
0 |
.769 |
+103 |
|
Buchanan |
8 |
5 |
0 |
.615 |
+76 |
|
Falcons |
4 |
9 |
0 |
.308 |
+6 |
|
Panthers |
4 |
9 |
0 |
.308 |
-25 |
Z-Clinked Playoff Spots
Saints of New Orleans
What to know: The Saints outscored the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs with a loss to the Eagles. New Orleans is the No. 2 seed in the conference, having lost a tiebreaker to the head with Green Bay at the start of the season.
Pending schedule: Vs. Panthers. Chiefs, Vs. Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What to know: Tampa Bay took a huge step in accelerating playoff berths with its win over Minnesota, with two games over the Vikings and Bears to play with three games for the final playoff spot in the conference. Buchananers are currently ranked No. 6 seed in the NFC standings.
Pending schedule: On the Falcons, on the Lions, vs. the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
What to know: The Falcons are removed from the playoffs and paired for the worst record in the NFC. They are in the top-10 draft pick position.
Pending schedule: Bukanirs, at Chiefs, Bukanirs
Carolina Panthers
What to know: A close loss to the Broncos puts Carolina down the NFC standings. Carolina is in position for the worst record in the conference and in the top-10 draft pick.
Pending schedule: At Packers, at Washington, vs. Saints
NFC West
|
Rams |
9 |
4 |
0 |
.692 |
+79 |
|
Seahawks |
9 |
4 |
0 |
.692 |
+69 |
|
Cardinals |
7 |
6 |
0 |
.538 |
+55 |
|
49ers |
5 |
8 |
0 |
.385 |
-11 |
Los Angeles Rams
What to know: The Rams are looking for a home-field advantage in the NFC, topping the NFC West with a big win against the Patriots on Thursday. The Rams are currently third in the NFC playoff standings.
Pending schedule: Vs. Jets, on the Seahawks, on the Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
What to know: The losing win over the Jets also puts CX in first place in the NFC West with the Rams, but holds the Los Angeles tiebreaker on a head-to-head win percentage. These are the 5 numbered seeds in the Seahawks convention.
Pending schedule: Vereshington, V. Rams, on the 49ers
Cardinals of Arizona
What to know: The Cardinals are back in the NFC playoff race, having picked up the No. 7 and final playoff spot in the conference with a victory over the Giants – and a defeat to the Vikings. They have a game over Minnesota and Chicago for the final playoff spot.
Pending schedule: In Ingles vs. 49s, vs. Rams
San Francisco 49ers
What to know: The 49ers are in the final play games with three to play two games from the spot and are far from winning the division title. They need to win and get a lot of help.
Pending schedule: At the Cowboys, at the Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
