With just six weeks until the playoffs start, we can start to put together what that picture is going to look like as the NFL continues.
With just six weeks until the playoffs start, we can start to put together what that picture is going to look like. As always, the seven seeds in each conference will be decided based on the best record and divisional winners. The top four seeds in each conference will be the four divisional champions ranked from best record to worst. The next three seeds are “wild card” spots. These seeds are given to the three next-best teams based on record within the conference. Heading into this week, here is how the playoff picture looks.
Watch the NFL all season long on Fubo: Start your free trial today!
NFC Picture
1 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) – NFC East Leader
The Philadelphia Eagles hold the NFL’s best record with just one loss this season against an unlikely opponent, the New York Jets. Despite that loss, they have beaten the Cowboys, Dolphins, Chiefs and Bills in their last five weeks. They have the 49ers, Cowboys and Seahawks left on the gauntlet part of their schedule.
2 Seed: San Francisco 49ers (8-3) – NFC West Leader
The San Francisco 49ers, last year’s NFC runner-up, is now back in charge of their division. They hold a two-game lead over the Seahawks and barring a meltdown, should come away with another divisional championship. They are Philadelphia’s biggest threat to another Super Bowl appearance.
3 Seed: Detroit Lions (8-3) – NFC North Leader
The Detroit Lions, at times, have looked like the best team in the NFL, and, at times, look like a mediocre football team this city has seen for years. Consistency will be the key for this team to close out the season and stay on top of the division. They hold a two-plus-game lead over the Vikings.
4 Seed: Atlanta Falcons (5-6) – NFC South Leader
Every year it seems that there is one team that makes it into the playoffs because the entire division is terrible. In this instance, the Falcons and Saints are 5-6 with Atlanta holding the tiebreaker. The Buccaneers are also just one game back.
Wild Cards: Dallas Cowboys (8-3), Seattle Seahawks (6-5), Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
The Dallas Cowboys are arguably the second-best team in the conference, but they play in the division with the best team. They will lock down a wild card spot and even have a shot at the NFC East should Philadelphia lose. The other two and those in the hunt are barely even .500, but there are two spots with roughly five teams jockeying for it.
In The Hunt: Green Bay Packers (5-6), Los Angeles Rams (5-6), New Orleans Saints (5-6)
Watch the NFL all season long on Fubo: Start your free trial today!
AFC Picture
1 Seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-3) – AFC North Leader
Not having had their bye week yet, the Baltimore Ravens hold a half-game lead over the Chiefs, Jaguars, and Dolphins for the only team with a bye week if the playoffs started today. They also play in the hardest conference with the Steelers and Browns just 1.5 games behind.
2 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) – AFC West Leader
The Kansas City Chiefs are the most dynamic team in the NFL and even with three losses are the team to beat in the AFC. They hold a two-game lead as the AFC West leader with a pretty easy schedule riding into the playoffs not having to play another team with over a .500 record.
3 Seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) – AFC South Leader
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold a two-game lead over the Colts and Texans, two teams that are jostling for the last spot in the wild card heading into this week. With a division this tough, the outcome will be interesting. However, they are 4-1 in the conference with just one game to go against the Titans.
4 Seed: Miami Dolphins (8-3) – AFC East Leader
The Miami Dolphins hold a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bill and play them again in the last week of the season. However, they also have the Ravens and Cowboys before then as well.
Wild Cards: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4), Cleveland Browns (7-4), Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
There is a real possibility that three of the four AFC North teams make the playoffs. Outside of the 7-4 AFC North teams, the Colts hold the current tiebreaker over the Texans and Broncos who are tied with them at 6-5. They have the Titans this week while Houston and Denver play each other.
In The Hunt: Houston Texans (6-5), Denver Broncos (6-5), Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Regional restrictions may apply.
