NFL playoff picture: Seeds, standings and division titles on the line through Week 14
The NFL has had its share of lackluster prime-time games in the first three-quarters of the season, but Week 14’s slate featured both conferences’ top seeds in matchups that should set the tone for the final month’s sprint to the postseason. The Cowboys couldn’t avenge their only loss of the season, losing a tight game to the Giants on Sunday night and failing to lock up a division title in the process. Meanwhile, the Patriots host the Ravens on Monday with a chance to open up some breathing room in the AFC.
If the playoffs started today, which teams would be in, and which teams would be on the bubble? Here’s how the playoff seeds shake out, plus a breakdown of the teams on the outside looking in as of Week 14’s action. Teams with an asterisk (*) have clinched a playoff berth.
AFC
1. New England Patriots
RECORD: 11-2 (AFC 8–1)
AFC East leader. Week 14: Beat Ravens, 30–23. Week 15: at Broncos.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
RECORD: 10-3 (AFC 7–2)
AFC West leader. Week 14: Beat Raiders, 21–13. Week 15: vs. Titans.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
RECORD: 8-5 (AFC 6–3)
AFC North leader. Week 14: Beat Bills, 27–20. Week 15: at Bengals.
4. Houston Texans
RECORD: 7-6 (AFC 5–4)
AFC South leader. Week 14: Beat Colts, 22–17. Week 15: vs. Jaguars.
5. Oakland Raiders
RECORD: 10-3 (AFC 7–2)
First wild card. Week 14: Lost to Chiefs, 21–13. Week 15: at Chargers.
6. Denver Broncos
RECORD: 8-5 (AFC 5–4)
Second wild card. Week 14: Lost to Titans, 13–10. Week 15: vs. Patriots.
In the hunt
7. Miami Dolphins
RECORD: 8-5 (AFC 5–4)
Week 14: Beat Cardinals, 26–23. Week 15: at Jets.
8. Baltimore Ravens
RECORD: 7-6 (AFC 7–3)
Week 14: Lost to Patriots, 30–23. Week 15: vs. Eagles.
9. Tennessee Titans
RECORD: 7-6 (AFC 4–5)
Week 14: Beat Broncos, 13–10. Week 15: at Chiefs.
10. indianapolis colts
RECORD: 6-7 (AFC 4–6)
Week 14: Lost to Texans, 22–17. Week 15: at Vikings.
11. buffalo bills
RECORD: 6-7 (AFC 3–6)
Week 14: Lost to Steelers, 27–20. Week 15: vs. Browns.
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys*
RECORD: 11-2 (NFC 7–2)
NFC East leader. Week 14: Lost to Giants, 10–7. Week 15: vs. Buccaneers.
2. Detroit Lions
NFC North leader. Week 14: Beat Bears, 20–17. Week 15: at Giants.
3. seattle seahawks
RECORD: 8-4–1 (NFC 4–4–1)
NFC North leader. Week 14: Lost to Packers, 38–10. Week 15: vs. Rams.
4. Atlanta Falcons
RECORD: 8-5 (NFC 6–3)
NFC South leader. Week 14: Beat Rams 42–14. Week 15: at 49ers.
5. New York Giants
RECORD: 9-4 (NFC 6–3)
First wild card. Week 14: Beat Cowboys, 10–7. Week 15: vs. Lions.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RECORD: 8-5 (NFC 6–3)
Second wild card. Week 14: Beat Saints, 16–11. Week 15: at Cowboys.
7. Washington Redskins
RECORD: 7-5-1 (NFC 5-4)
Week 14: Beat Eagles, 27–22. Week 15: vs. Panthers.
8. Minnesota Vikings
RECORD: 7-6 (NFC 4–6)
Week 14: Beat Jaguars, 25–16. Week 15: vs. Colts.
9. Green Bay Packers
RECORD: 7-6 (NFC 5–4)
Week 14: Beat Seahawks 38–10. Week 15: at Bears.
10. Arizona Cardinals
RECORD: 5-7-1 (NFC 4-4-1)
Week 14: Lost to Dolphins, 26–23. Week 15: vs. Saints.
