With just five weeks until the playoffs start, we can continue to put together a clearer picture of what the playoffs are 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.
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NFC Picture
1 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) – NFC East Leader
The Philadelphia Eagles hold the NFL’s best record despite picking up the second loss of the season last week against the 49ers. Even with that loss they have still beaten the Cowboys, Dolphins, Chiefs and Bills in their last five weeks. They have the Cowboys and Seahawks left in the gauntlet part of their schedule. Coming away from that stretch with one loss would still be impressive.
2 Seed: San Francisco 49ers (9-3) – NFC West Leader
The San Francisco 49ers picked up their best win of the season, demolishing the Eagles 42-19. They had multiple 30+ yard touchdowns and quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns last week.
3 Seed: Detroit Lions (9-3) – NFC North Leader
The Detroit Lions at times have looked like the best team in the NFL and at times looked like a mediocre football team this city has seen for years. Last week was no different. They took a 21-0 lead and eventually let the Saints come back and almost take the lead before winning 27-21.
4 Seed: Atlanta Falcons (6-6) – 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 lead the NFC South despite having an even .500 record. They secured a rough win over the Jets, scoring just 13 points, but holding them to eight.
Wild Cards: Dallas Cowboys (9-3), Green Bay Packers (6-6), Minnesota Vikings (6-6)
The Dallas Cowboys are the third-best team in the conference, but they play in the division with the best team. However, they will have a chance to secure the lead in the division with a win this week over the Eagles. The Packers, Vikings, Seahawks and Rams all have a chance for two spots and to get over .500 this week.
In The Hunt: Seattle Seahawks (6-6), Los Angeles Rams (6-6), New Orleans Saints (5-7), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
Eliminated: Carolina Panthers (1-11)
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AFC Picture
1 Seed: Miami Dolphins (9-3) – AFC East Leader
The Miami Dolphins not only had a dominant 45-15 win last week over the Commanders, but they also took charge of the AFC with the Chiefs losing and the Ravens on a bye week. There looks to be no better duo in the NFL right now than Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.
2 Seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-3) – AFC North Leader
The Baltimore Ravens got the week off and as a result lost the half-game lead they had over the Dolphins. They will come back this week against the Rams, who are .500 on the season. If they can hold the line, they should be in good shape for another win.
3 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) – AFC West Leader
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most dynamic teams in the NFL and even with four losses they’re a team you don’t want to see in the playoffs. The Chiefs dropped their fourth game of the season last week against the Packers 27-19. They still hold the lead over the Broncos in the division.
4 Seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) – AFC South Leader
The Jacksonville Jaguars went into last week with an 8-3 record and playing a Bengals team without the highest-paid NFL quarterback. The Jaguars eventually lost that game in overtime after CJ Beathard was unable to move the ball on offense. The bigger question for this team is the long-term health of superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who had his leg stepped on by an offensive lineman in the second half and never returned. He reportedly has a high ankle sprain.
Wild Cards: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5), Cleveland Browns (7-5), Indianapolis Colts (7-5)
There is a real possibility that three of the four AFC North teams still make the playoffs despite them both losing this week. The Steelers lost quarterback Kenny Pickett for the season, which could be their downfall. There are four teams at 7-5 this season, and all Wild Cards spots are wide open.
