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SportsCasting
SportsCasting
James Boutros

NFL Playoff Picture: Can your favorite team still win their division?

NFL Division winners are becoming more clear after week 10.

Many teams are still fighting for a wild-card spot in the playoffs, but four of the eight NFL divisions have a clear favorite. Three NFL divisions have two possible winners and one of the eight NFL Divisions has more than two possible winners.

Below, we look at each NFL Division and discuss the possible winners of each NFL Division.

NFL Divisions Becoming More Clear After Week 10

NFL Divisions are becoming much more clear after week 10.

Below is a breakdown of each division.

We start with the AFC.

AFC Division Breakdown

Below is a breakdown of each NFL Division in the AFC with the records of each team after week 10.

AFC East

  • Buffalo Bills: 8-2
  • Miami Dolphins: 3-6
  • New York Jets: 3-7
  • New England Patriots: 3-7

This NFL Division has just one possible winner after week 10.

The Buffalo Bills with an 8-2 record are the runaway favorite to win the AFC East.

The Dolphins’ season was hindered when QB Tua Tagovailoa was injured in week 2 and missed the next four weeks.

New York was hoping getting Aaron Rodgers back would help them possibly win the AFC East but the Jets are no better off with Rodgers under center than they were with Zach Wilson. This led to the Jets firing Robert Saleh midseason.

New England was never expected to be much of a threat in the AFC East.

The Buffalo Bills will win the AFC East.

AFC West

  • Kansas City Chiefs: 9-0
  • Los Angeles Chargers: 6-3
  • Denver Broncos: 5-5
  • Las Vegas Raiders: 2-7

Similar to the AFC East, this NFL Division has just one possible winner.

The only undefeated team left in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs, will win the AFC West.

Both the Chargers and Broncos have exceeded expectations this season. They are both threats to make the playoffs and both currently sit in a wild-card spot. However, neither of them will catch the Chiefs to win the division.

The Las Vegas Raiders were not expected to be much of a threat in the AFC West and they are not.

Kansas City will win the AFC West.

AFC North

  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-2
  • Baltimore Ravens: 7-3
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 4-6
  • Cleveland Browns: 2-7

This NFL Division has two possible winners.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-2 and the Baltimore Ravens are 7-3. They play each other in week 11, in a critical game.

Both teams have played very well this season, making the AFC North a true toss-up.

The Cincinnati Bengals at 4-6 are more of a threat to make the playoffs via a wild-card spot than winning the division. Baltimore already defeated the Bengals twice this season.

Cleveland, sitting at 2-7, is not a threat to win the AFC North or make the postseason.

The AFC North is a toss-up between the Steelers and Ravens, making their week 11 matchup a massive contest.

AFC South

  • Houston Texans: 6-4
  • Indianapolis Colts: 4-6
  • Tennessee Titans: 2-7
  • Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-8

While the Indianapolis Colts are just two games behind the Houston Texans, this NFL Division feels like it is Houston’s division. The Colts made a QB switch, benching Anthony Richardson for veteran QB Joe Flacco. The defense for the Colts is banged up.

The Titans and Jaguars are not a threat to win the AFC South.

Houston will win the AFC South.

NFC Division Breakdown

Below is a breakdown of each NFL Division in the NFC with the records of each team after week 10.

NFC East

  • Philadelphia Eagles: 8-2
  • Washington Commanders: 7-3
  • Dallas Cowboys: 3-6
  • New York Giants: 2-8

The Philadelphia Eagles are 8-2 and the Washington Commanders are 7-3. They play each other in week 11, in a critical game.

Both teams have been excellent, with Washington being the biggest surprise of the NFL. Jayden Daniels has been excellent under center in his rookie year.

Philly and Washington are both 2-0 against division opponents. Washington defeated the Giants twice this season. Philly defeated the Cowboys and Giants each once this season. The Eagles and Commanders will face each other twice this season, with their first contest being on Thursday Night Football in week 11.

The Dallas Cowboys are having a dreadful season. Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat. His contract expires at the end of the season and he is unlikely to be brought back.

New York is having a miserable season and has no chance of winning the division or making the postseason.

The NFC East is a toss-up between the Eagles and Commanders, making their week 11 matchup a massive contest.

NFC West

  • Arizona Cardinals: 6-4
  • San Francisco 49ers: 5-4
  • Los Angeles Rams: 4-5
  • Seattle Seahawks: 4-5

The NFC West is the only NFL Division where all four teams are still in contention after week 10.

Arizona is in first with a 6-4 record. They have a 2-0 record against divisional opponents, defeating the Rams and 49ers each once this season.

San Francisco is the most talented team in the NFC West. They were one of the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl before the season began. Injuries have hindered the team a bit but Christian McCaffrey returned in week 10 and looked good. The 49ers remain a scary team and a major threat in the NFC.

The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks each have a 4-5 record. LA is 2-1 against division opponents, defeating the Seahawks and 49ers each once but they lost to the Cardinals once this season. The Rams face each divisional opponent once more this season.

Seattle is 0-2 against divisional opponents, losing to the Rams and 49ers each once. They will play the Cardinals twice and the Rams and 49ers each once more this season.

The NFC West is truly up for grabs with all four teams in contention to win the NFC West.

NFC North

  • Detroit Lions: 8-1
  • Minnesota Vikings: 7-2
  • Green Bay Packers: 6-3
  • Chicago Bears: 4-5

Detroit is coming off a wild victory on Sunday Night Football in week 10. They sit first in the NFC North with an 8-1 record. They are 2-0 against division opponents, defeating the Vikings and Packers each once.

Minnesota is 7-2, just one game back from the Detroit Lions. However, the Vikings lost to Detroit once this season. Minnesota started the season 5-0, then lost two straight to be 5-2, but have since won two straight to be 7-2. Their last two wins have come against the Colts and Jaguars.

Green Bay is 6-3 but is at a disadvantage in the division, despite not being far off from the Lions. The Packers lost to the Lions and Vikings each once this season, making it much more challenging to catch them.

Chicago was in contention a few weeks ago but a hail mary loss has derailed the team. They have lost three straight and fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

This NFL Division is technically a two-team race between the Lions and Vikings but Detroit is the better team. The Lions will run away with the division after a massive week 10 victory.

NFC South

  • Atlanta Falcons: 6-4
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-6
  • New Orleans Saints: 3-7
  • Carolina Panthers: 3-7

This NFL Division has just one possible winner after week 10.

The Atlanta Falcons with a 6-4 record are the clear favorites to win the division.

The Buccaneers’ season has been hindered due to injuries to star wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Bucs were playing well and in contention to win the NFC South before losing both WRs to injuries.

New Orleans and Carolina are not threats to win the NFC South.

The Atlanta Falcons will win the NFC South.

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