There is still a game to be played Monday night, but it’s never too early to take a look at the NFL playoff picture.
There are only three games left in the season, but several divisions are still up for grabs. With most of these final few games being divisional matchups, nearly every game will have major playoff implications.
Here’s a look at the current NFL playoff picture after an exciting week 14.
AFC
Division Leaders
East: New England Patriots (10-2)
West: Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
North: Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)
South: Houston Texans (7-6)
Wild Card Teams
Oakland Raiders (10-3), Denver Broncos (8-5)
In The Hunt
Miami Dolphins (8-5), Baltimore Ravens (7-5), Tennessee Titans (7-6), Indianapolis Colts (6-7), Buffalo Bills (6-7)
After the Dolphins won on Sunday, the Patriots will not be able to clinch the AFC East division with a win over the Ravens on Monday night. Still, it seems as though this is New England’s division to lose.
The AFC West is arguably the most exciting division in the league. The Chiefs took a hold of the division with their win over the Raiders on Thursday night. However, they have two tough games at home against surging Tennessee and division foe, Denver. The outcome of the AFC West could come down to week 17, though, when Denver hosts Oakland.
It is a two-horse race for the AFC North between the Steelers and the Ravens. With a win tomorrow night against the Patriots, the Ravens would regain control of the division by virtue of the tiebreaker. However, Pittsburgh will host Baltimore in week 16, which very well could decide the division.
The AFC North is totally up for grabs. Despite having the same record, Houston currently holds the division lead over Tennesee by way of the tiebreaker. Tennesee will be hard pressed to keep the tie next week when the team plays Kansas City on the road. The Titans will host the Texans in week 17, though, which will be sure to have major playoff implications. The Colts are still very much in it but have tough tests in the coming weeks with road games against Minnesota and Oakland.
Miami currently has the best record out of all the teams on the outside looking in, but Ryan Tannehill’s injury will surely make the road to the playoffs very difficult.
NFC
Division Leaders
East: Dallas Cowboys (11-2)
West: Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1)
North: Detroit Lions (9-4)
South: Atlanta Falcons (7-5)
Wild Card Teams
New York Giants (9-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)
In the Hunt
Washington Redskins (7-5-1), Minnesota Vikings (7-6), Green Bay Packers (7-6), Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1)
The Cowboys are currently the only team in the NFL that has clinched a playoff berth. However, they weren’t able to clinch the division after losing to the Giants on Sunday night. The Giants now have two wins over the Cowboys this season, which will surely make an impact on tiebreakers and ultimately, seeding.
Despite losing to Green Bay on Sunday, Seattle’s chances of winning the NFC West are looking promising. They’ll finish their season with three games against division opponents, as they host the Rams and Cardinals and finish the season on the road against the 49ers.
While the Lions are currently atop the NFC North, their final three games are far from easy. Their next two games will be on the road against the Giants and Cowboys and they will finish the season hosting Green Bay, a game that will be sure to have an impact on the playoffs.
The Falcons currently lead the NFC South via tiebreaker, and their remaining schedule is favorable, including games against the 49ers and the reeling Panthers. A week 17 matchup against Saints could change the course of the division, though. The Bucs will look to keep the race tight next Sunday night on the road against the Cowboys.
Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images