For some teams, it’s about seeding. For others, it’s about survival.
On Sunday, we watched the Colts win a key game at home over the Buccaneers, giving Gardner Minshew II and Shane Steichen their third consecutive win. Indianapolis’ push has it holding the seventh seed in the AFC playoff picture.
In the NFC, the 49ers and Lions swapped seeds on Thanksgiving, with Detroit being upset while San Francisco went on the road and pummeled the Seahawks. Then, on Sunday, it was the Falcons handling the Saints, putting them ahead of New Orleans and into first place of the moribund NFC South.
So how does the playoff picture look exiting the weekend? Let’s examine.
AFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here’s who would make the playoffs:
No. 1: Baltimore Ravens
Record: 9–3, first, AFC North
Baltimore is playing the most consistent football in the AFC heading into its bye week. While a Kansas City win next Sunday night would drop the Ravens one seed, they remain in terrific shape. However, big tests remain against the Dolphins, 49ers and Jaguars.
No. 2: Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 8–3, first, AFC West
After a tough loss to the Eagles, the Chiefs bounced back against the Raiders. Falling behind 14–0 in the first quarter, Kansas City rolled to an easy victory behind a 31–3 run. The Chiefs have a favorable slate ahead with games against the Patriots, Raiders, Bengals, Chargers and Packers.
No. 3: Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 8–3, first, AFC South
The Jaguars did an excellent job taking care of the Texans on the road, splitting the season series while going up two games on Houston. Jacksonville also has a friendly schedule moving forward, starting with a Monday night tilt at Cincinnati.
No. 4: Miami Dolphins
Record: 8–3, first, AFC East
The Dolphins handled the Jets with ease on Black Friday. With the Bills losing in overtime to the Eagles on Sunday, Miami can start printing its AFC East champions banner, its third since the retirement of Dan Marino after the 1999 season.
No. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 7–4, third, AFC North
Firing former offensive coordinator Matt Canada might prove to cure many ills in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett threw for 278 yards while the offense racked up 421 yards in Sunday’s win over the Bengals, something the Steelers never did under Canada. Pittsburgh probably gets to the playoffs with 10 wins, and has home dates remaining with the Patriots, Bengals and Cardinals.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns
Record: 7–4, second, AFC North
The Browns lost in Denver, but Cleveland remains in good shape in the standings. The big concern is whether Kevin Stefanski’s group can get anything at all from the quarterbacks. Both PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson are underwhelming, leaving little room for any defensive mistakes.
No. 7: Indianapolis Colts
Record: 6–5, second, AFC South
Look at Steichen and Minshew getting the job done. Most wouldn’t think of the Colts as an above average offense and rightfully so, but Indianapolis has real talent in receivers Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. while Jonathan Taylor runs the rock.
In the Hunt
Houston Texans (6–5): Tough loss for Houston at home, but the Texans have an easy schedule ahead. There’s no reason C.J. Stroud & Co. can’t win four more games and find their way into the postseason.
Denver Broncos (6–5): Give Denver a ton of credit. The Broncos have now won five consecutive games and a key three-game road strip ahead with the Texans, Chargers and Lions on deck.
Buffalo Bills (6–6): Buffalo amassed more than 500 yards, won the turnover battle, scored 34 points and … lost to the Eagles. The Bills also have five conference losses, meaning they won’t win tiebreakers. The playoffs start now in Buffalo.
NFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here’s who would make the playoffs:
No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 10–1, first, NFC East
The Eagles are fantastic. Yes, they were fortunate to beat both the Chiefs and Bills, but they won. That’s the essence of Philadelphia, which finds more ways to win than any other team in the NFL. With only one loss, it’s impossible to envision the NFC going through anywhere but Lincoln Financial Field.
No. 2: San Francisco 49ers
Record: 8–3, first, NFC West
After losing three straight, the Niners have come out of their bye week and destroyed the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Seahawks to establish themselves as the NFC West powerhouse. San Francisco visits the Eagles next Sunday in a massive matchup.
No. 3: Detroit Lions
Record: 8–3, first, NFC North
Detroit has to be sick about the way it has played the past two weeks. The Lions escaped against the Bears but couldn’t do so against the Packers on Thanksgiving. Detroit is still the heavy favorite to win its division and host a playoff game for the first time in 30 years.
No. 4: Atlanta Falcons
Record: 5–6, first, NFC South
Atlanta has been an inconsistent team all year, but scored a huge win over the Saints on Sunday. In one week, the Falcons went from being outside the playoff picture to hosting a wild-card game.
No. 5: Dallas Cowboys
Record: 8–3, first, NFC East
The Cowboys can’t catch a break with the Eagles, but they look destined for the next-best option of playing the NFC South winner. Dallas has a tough month ahead on the schedule, but the Cowboys shouldn’t be caught from behind by anyone.
No. 6: Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6–5, second, NFC North
The Vikings host the Bears on Monday night. A win, and Minnesota remains the sixth seed. A loss to Chicago, and the Vikings would drop into the seventh slot, a half game ahead of the Packers.
No. 7: Seattle Seahawks
Record: 6–5, second, NFC West
Seattle has a real problem. The Seahawks have lost two straight and are likely looking at a wild-card spot. However, they still have to play the Cowboys, 49ers and Eagles over the next three weeks, so it’s not going to be easy.
In the Hunt
Green Bay Packers (5–6): By beating the Chargers and Lions in a five-day span, the Packers are a factor once more. Now they draw the Chiefs at Lambeau Field in primetime.
Los Angeles Rams (5–6): With wins over the Seahawks and Cardinals the past two weeks, the Rams are suddenly alive. Next up, the Browns before a trip to Baltimore.
New Orleans Saints (5–6): The Saints have to find more consistency on both sides of the ball. New Orleans has the best talent in the NFC South, but often doesn’t play like it.
