Current NFL Playoff Picture: Seahawks Lead NFC West as Standings Tighten

NFL Playoff Picture After Week 12

The playoff standings are heating up as teams fight for spots in the postseason. The NFC West remains unpredictable, with the Seattle Seahawks leading the division after defeating the Arizona Cardinals. The Los Angeles Rams missed their chance to take the lead, as the Philadelphia Eagles won their game, solidifying their position in the NFC East.

In the race for the NFC’s No. 7 seed, the Washington Commanders have lost three consecutive games. The Cardinals, Rams, and 49ers are all competing for that final playoff position alongside the Commanders. In the AFC, the Miami Dolphins are also in contention, chasing the Denver Broncos, who currently hold the last playoff spot.

AFC Playoff Picture

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)

   The Chiefs are first in the AFC, maintaining a slim lead over the Bills. They have a two-game advantage over the Chargers in the AFC West.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos.

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

   The Bills trail the Chiefs by one game, holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. They lead the AFC East by four games.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

   Despite losing to the Browns, the Steelers lead the AFC North by one game over the Ravens and have the head-to-head tiebreaker.
   Remaining Schedule: at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals.

4. Houston Texans (7-5)

   The Texans stay in fourth place in the AFC, maintaining a two-game lead over the Colts in the AFC South.
   Remaining Schedule: at Jaguars, bye week, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

   The Chargers are the top wild-card team, one game ahead of the Ravens. They trail the Chiefs by two games for the division lead.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Ravens, at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders.

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

   The Ravens hold the sixth seed and are one game behind the Steelers.
   Remaining Schedule: at Chargers, vs. Eagles, bye week, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns.

7. Denver Broncos (7-5)

   The Broncos occupy the final playoff spot, one game ahead of the Dolphins.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Browns, bye week, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-6)

   The Dolphins are still in contention after a blowout victory against the Patriots.
   Remaining Schedule: at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets.

9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7)

   The Colts are two games behind the Dolphins for the last playoff spot and are also two games behind the Texans in the division.
   Remaining Schedule: at Patriots, bye week, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

    The Bengals are the tenth seed in the AFC, two games back in the wild-card race.
    Remaining Schedule: vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers.

NFC Playoff Picture

1. Detroit Lions (10-1)

   The Lions lead the NFC North following their win over the Colts, holding a game lead over the Vikings.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

   The Eagles control the NFC East after their victory over the Rams, leading the Commanders by three games.
   Remaining Schedule: at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants.

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

   The Seahawks are first in the NFC West after beating the Cardinals. They own tiebreakers over the Cardinals and Falcons.
   Remaining Schedule: at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams.

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

   The Falcons are leading the NFC South by one game over the Buccaneers, having swept their series.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers.

5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

   The Vikings are the top wild-card team in the NFC, trailing Detroit by one game.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions.

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)

   The Packers hold the sixth seed, leading the Commanders by two games for the last playoff spot.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears.

7. Washington Commanders (7-5)

   The Commanders are hanging onto the last playoff spot, only half a game ahead of the Cardinals.
   Remaining Schedule: vs. Titans, bye week, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys.

8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)

   The Cardinals fell from the division lead after their loss to the Seahawks.
   Remaining Schedule: at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)

   The Buccaneers sit in ninth place, one game behind the Falcons.
   Remaining Schedule: at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints.

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)

    The Rams are now the tenth seed after losing to the Eagles, falling behind in the playoff race.
    Remaining Schedule: at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks.

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)

    The 49ers are a game back in the wild-card race. They are last in the NFC West.
    Remaining Schedule: at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals.

12. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

    The Saints move up to 12th place after a bye week, still two games out of a playoff spot.
    Remaining Schedule: vs. Rams, at Giants, vs. Commanders, at Packers, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers.

13. Chicago Bears (4-7)

    The Bears are two games behind the last playoff spot.
    Remaining Schedule: at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, at Packers.

14. Dallas Cowboys (4-7)

    After defeating the Commanders, the Cowboys sit at 14th in the NFC standings.
    Remaining Schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Bengals, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders.