What is the NFL playoff picture looking like after the Thursday and early Sunday afternoon games of Week 13? Who improved their positions and seeding with positive results, and who is headed in the wrong direction during the stretch run?
Here’s the update with six games and four more weeks left in the 2018 regular season.
MORE: NFL standings | Week 13 scoreboard
NFL playoff picture
AFC
Who would be in:
1. Chiefs (10-2), first in AFC West
The Chiefs stay right here by beating the Raiders, with a full game lead on both the Texans and Patriots. They have the tiebreaker for now over Houston, but lose it to New England based on a head-to-head loss. The schedule isn’t the easiest to mantain home-field advantage. What’s left: vs. BAL, vs. LAC, at SEA, vs. OAK
2. Patriots (9-3), first in AFC East
The Patriots beat the Vikings to jump back over the Texans (whom they beat earlier in the season) and keep pace with the Chiefs (whom they also beat). What’s left: at MIA, at PIT, vs. BUF, vs. NYJ
3. Texans (9-3), first in AFC South
The Texans stayed hot by beating the Browns, and they put more pressure on the Chiefs and Patriots. They lose the tiebreakers for the moment to both the Chiefs and Patriots but have a favorable schedule ahead. What’s left: vs. IND, at NYJ, at PHI, vs. JAX
4. Steelers (7-3-1), first in AFC North
The Steelers need to beat the Chargers to keep their hopes viable to rise above this seed and push for a top-two spot with a head-to-head opportunity with the Patriots looming. What’s left: at OAK, vs. NE, at NO, vs. CIN
5. Chargers (8-3), wild card
The Chargers can make a big AFC wild-card statement by beating the Steelers on Sunday night and also keep making the Chiefs sweat in the West. What’s left: vs. CIN, at KC, vs. BAL, at DEN
6. Ravens (7-5), wild card
The Ravens went into a toss-up game on the road against the Falcons and maintained this position with a strong all-around victory fueled by their defense and running game. They will take the bonus of the Colts losing behind them, as they now hold a full game lead for the wild card. The remaining schedule is tough, though. What’s left: at KC, vs. TB, at LAC, vs. CLE
Who’s knocking on the door:
7. Dolphins (6-6)
8. Colts (6-6)
9. Broncos (6-6)
10. Titans (6-6)
11. Bengals (5-7)
The Colts hurt themselves with a brutal road loss to the Jaguars in which they failed to score a single point. The Dolphins beat the Bills and have the conference-record tiebreaker in that .500 group of three.
Who’s just about out:
12. Browns (4-7-1)
13. Bills (4-8)
14. Jaguars (4-8)
15. Jets (3-9)
16. Raiders (3-9)
The Browns and Bills lost Sunday to fall further back, while the Jaguars played spoiler against the Colts. The Jets and Raiders failed do the same against their AFC opponents despite valiant efforts.
NFL playoff picture
NFC
Who would be in:
1. Rams (11-1), NFC West champions
The Rams survived a tough game against the Lions and strengthened their chase for the No. 1 seed with the Saints and Bears being upset by NFC East teams. Los Angeles is looking very good for home-field advantage if it can win at Chicago, too, next week, with an easy slate otherwise. What’s left: at CHI, vs. PHI, at ARI, vs. SF
2. Saints (10-2), first in NFC South
The Saints were shocked by the Cowboys on Thursday night, and they lost their control on the top seed, where they still hold the tiebreaker should they finish even with the Rams. What’s left: at TB, at CAR, vs. PIT, vs. CAR
3. Bears (8-4), first in NFC North
The Bears blew a chance to keep their momentum, as they couldn’t win again with Chase Daniel on the road in a frustrating loss to the lowly Giants. They fell further behind the Rams, whom they play next week, and missed a chance to get closer to the Saints. They also made the Cowboys feel like they can reach this spot. What’s left: vs. LAR, vs. GB, at SF, at MIN
4. Cowboys (7-5), first in NFC East
The Cowboys know they’ll be in first place all by themselves after Week 13, as their victory over the Saints followed their wins over the Eagles and Redskins. If they beat the Eagles again next week, they will be a near-lock to pull away in the division. The Cowboys probably are a long shot to catch the Bears and move up, though. What’s left: vs. PHI, at IND, vs. TB, at NYG
5. Seahawks (7-5), wild card
The Seahawks took care of business against the 49ers to rise two spots with both the Vikings and Panthers losing. At worst, they would fall to No. 6 should the Redskins win Monday night. They are well positioned with the Vikings next at home and a favorable schedule, save for the Chiefs at home in Week 16. What’s left: vs. MIN, at SF, vs, KC, vs. ARI
6. Redskins (6-5), wild card
The Redskins hold this spot over the Vikings for now. They need to beat the Eagles on Monday night to jump up over the Seahawks, over whom they would hold the conference-tiebreaker, or they would tumble to No. 7 ahead of the Panthers, whom they beat. What’s left: vs. NYG, at JAX, at TEN, vs. PHI
Who’s knocking on the door:
7. Vikings (6-5-1)
8. Panthers (6-6)
9. Eagles (5-6)
The Panthers lost a much-needed game against the Buccaneers, their fourth straight defeat to continue their free-fall out of once-strong playoff consideration. The Eagles desperately need to beat the Redskins on Monday to stay alive in the East and wild-card races.
Who’s just about out:
10. Buccaneers (5-7)
11. Packers (4-7-1)
12. Falcons (4-8)
13. Lions (4-8)
14. Giants (4-8)
15. Cardinals (3-9)
16. 49ers (3-9)
The Buccaneers and Cardinals scored big upset wins in Week 13 over the Panthers and Packers, respectively, to play spoilers. The Giants topped that by toppling the Bears in overtime.
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