The NFL playoff picture isn’t getting clearer. It’s only getting wilder.
On Sunday, the Steelers and Browns both lost, while the Colts and Texans improved their chances by winning tight games.
In the NFC, the Packers and Rams both took critical steps toward getting into the wild-card picture, while the Niners torched the Eagles to tighten the races for both home-field advantage and the NFC East.
So what’s the playoff picture look like with just a single game remaining in Week 13? Let’s take a glance.
AFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here’s who would make the playoffs:
No. 1: Miami Dolphins
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Record: 9–3, first, AFC East
The Dolphins continued their tradition of beating up terrible teams by steamrolling the Commanders on Sunday. Miami rolled up 406 yards on 6.9 yards per play, with Tua Tagovailoa throwing a pair of touchdown passes to Tyreek Hill. Next up? The Titans visit Miami on Monday night.
No. 2: Baltimore Ravens
Record: 9–3, first, AFC North
The Ravens are on a bye week but come out of their break with a key game on the road against the Jaguars on Sunday Night Football.
No. 3: Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 8–3, first, AFC South
Jacksonville hosts the Joe Burrow-less Bengals on Monday night, hoping to maintain their two-game lead in the AFC South. A win would clinch the Jaguars’ second consecutive winning season.
No. 4: Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 8–4, first, AFC West
A win in Green Bay would have positioned the Chiefs as the AFC’s top seed. However, Kansas City fell as a favorite for the third time in five weeks, putting it in a tough spot in terms of home-field advantage. The Chiefs should have no problem holding onto the AFC West, but they’ve been a struggling group.
No. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 7–5, second, AFC North
Sunday’s loss is the type of defeat which could change the fortunes of a team. The Steelers went into Cincinnati and beat the Bengals, but then followed up that performance with a blowout loss to the Cardinals. Pittsburgh now faces a must-win against the Patriots on Thursday night.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns
Record: 7–5, third, AFC North
The Browns went on the road and lost, but they didn’t lose any ground. Cleveland also got a reasonable performance from Joe Flacco, who should give the Browns confidence that they’ve upgraded over PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
No. 7: Indianapolis Colts
Record: 7–5, second, AFC South
It wasn’t pretty, but the Colts found a way to win. Indianapolis has now won four straight and has the Bengals, Steelers, Falcons, Raiders and Texans remaining on the schedule. There’s a real world where Indianapolis wins three more games (or more) and ends up enjoying some postseason football.
In the Hunt
Houston Texans (7–5): After losing to the Jaguars last week, the Texans needed to bounce back and did so against the Broncos. Now in possession of a potentially key tiebreaker, Houston has a road trip coming up against the Jets and Titans.
Denver Broncos (6–6): Denver had its opportunities to beat the Texans, but were undone by three Russell Wilson interceptions. Now, the Broncos must find a way to beat the Chargers in Los Angeles next week.
Buffalo Bills (6–6): The Bills need to get going, but it won’t be easy. Idle this week, Buffalo now goes to Kansas City before playing the Dolphins, Cowboys and Chargers over the season’s last month.
NFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here’s who would make the playoffs:
No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 10–2, first, NFC East
The Eagles were humbled at home, only their third loss at Lincoln Financial Field over the past two seasons. However, Philadelphia must regroup quickly with a tough game at Dallas looming next Sunday. A win there, and everything is well. A loss, and the Eagles could be playing on the road come wild-card weekend.
No. 2: San Francisco 49ers
Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
Record: 9–3, first, NFC West
What a statement from the Niners. San Francisco went on the road and gave a phenomenal performance, rolling up more than 400 yards. For the 49ers, the rest of the regular season is about clinching the NFC West and then avoiding any slip-ups, knowing they’re only one game back of the conference’s top seed with a tiebreaker in hand on both the Eagles and Cowboys.
No. 3: Detroit Lions
Record: 9–3, first, NFC North
The Lions started strong and held on late to beat the Saints, clinching their second consecutive winning campaign under coach Dan Campbell. The NFC North looks to belong to Detroit, which hasn’t happened since realignment in 2002. The only question is whether the Lions can threaten for a better seeding.
No. 4: Atlanta Falcons
Record: 6–6, first, NFC South
Desmond Ridder didn’t complete half of his passes, the offense looked completely inept, and yet the Falcons won because the Jets trotted out Tim Boyle and pretended he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback. Atlanta isn’t impressive, but it has a manageable schedule and plays in a cupcake division.
No. 5: Dallas Cowboys
Record: 9–3, second, NFC East
Dallas continues to look like a Super Bowl contender. While the defense gave up 35 points to Seattle, the Cowboys scored 41 behind another sterling performance from Dak Prescott, who has entered the MVP conversation. Dallas is a nightmare matchup for anybody at the moment.
No. 6: Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6–6, second, NFC North
Minnesota is on its bye week, and will start its sprint toward the playoffs with road games against the Raiders and Bengals before hosting the Lions.
No. 7: Green Bay Packers
Record: 6-6, third, NFC North
The Packers have looked like a completely different team over the past three weeks. The biggest reason? Jordan Love throwing eight touchdowns against zero interceptions over that stretch. If Love continues playing anywhere near this level, Green Bay is a dangerous team.
In the Hunt
Los Angeles Rams (6–6): The Rams should be thrilled. Three consecutive wins and Los Angeles is suddenly back at .500 and fighting for a playoff spot. If Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp stay healthy, the Rams could be a frisky team to watch down the stretch.
