What Is The Playoff Picture In The NFL?
The NFL playoff picture is a bit more clear after Week 14. Here’s a look at the current standings and what needs to happen for each team to make the playoffs.
AFC
The AFC playoff picture is looking pretty good for the New England Patriots. They have clinched the number one seed and will have a first-round bye. The Patriots will be playing at home in the divisional round and if they win that game, they will most likely be playing in the AFC Championship game.
AFC East
The New England Patriots have clinched the AFC East title for the 10th consecutive season. The Patriots (11-3) clinched the division when the Miami Dolphins (7-7) lost to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. It is the second time in three years that Miami has been eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16.
Buffalo Bills (9-5)
-The Bills are in control of their own playoff destiny. A win Sunday against the New England Patriots would give Buffalo its first 10-win season since 1999 and keep alive its hopes for its first playoff berth since 1995.
New York Jets (4-10)
-The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Miami Dolphins (7-7)
-The Dolphins have been eliminated from playoff contention.
AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens are currently in first place in the AFC North with a 9-6 record. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in second place with an 8-6-1 record, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals at 7-8, and the Cleveland Browns at 6-9.
AFC South
The AFC South is a division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). It was created before the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. Four teams currently compete in the AFC South: the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.
The AFC South has sent a team to the Super Bowl five times: four times by the Colts (XLI, XLIV, LII, andLV) and once by the Texans (LI).
AFC West
The AFC West is home to some of the best teams in the NFL, and the race for the division title is always tight. This year is no different, with all four teams vying for a spot in the playoffs.
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently in first place, with a record of 10-3. They are followed closely by the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 9-3. The Denver Broncos are also in the mix at 8-4, and the Oakland Raiders are still in contention at 7-5.
All four teams have a chance to make the playoffs, but it will be a close race to the finish. It will be exciting to see how it all plays out!
NFC
In the NFC, the playoff picture is pretty clear. The New Orleans Saints have clinched the number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Los Angeles Rams have clinched the number two seed and a first-round bye. The Chicago Bears have clinched the number three seed. The Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks are fighting for the number four seed.
NFC East
The NFC East is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and it looks like it will come down to the wire once again in 2019. The Dallas Cowboys currently sit atop the division at 8-5, but they are just a half-game ahead of both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins. The New York Giants are also in the mix at 6-7, although they will need to win out and get some help to have a chance at winning the division.
Here is a look at the current NFC East standings:
1. Dallas Cowboys – 8-5
2. Philadelphia Eagles – 7-6
3. Washington Redskins – 7-6
4. New York Giants – 6-7
NFC North
The NFC North is currently led by the Green Bay Packers, who are 10-3 on the season. The Packers are followed by the Minnesota Vikings (8-5), the Chicago Bears (7-6), and the Detroit Lions (5-8). The NFC North is a tight division, and all four teams are still in contention for a playoff spot.
The Packers have clinched a playoff spot and can win the division with a win over the Vikings in Week 16. The Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Packers in Week 16, or with a loss by the Rams in Week 16. The Bears can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Chiefs in Week 16, or with losses by both the Rams and Vikings in Week 16. The Lions are currently on the outside looking in, but could still clinch a playoff spot with a win in Week 16 and some help from other teams.
NFC South
The NFC South is a division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the NFL. It was created prior to the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently consists of the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta Falcons.
NFC West
In the NFC West, the Rams have clinched the division title and a first-round bye, while the Seahawks have clinched a playoff spot. The Seahawks can clinch the division title and a first-round bye with a win over the 49ers in Week 17 or a Rams loss to the Cardinals. The Seahawks can also clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and losses by both the Packers and Saints.
