Welcome to our breakdown of the NFL playoff picture.
Moving forward, we’ll be publishing an updated version of this every week, looking at how the weekend’s action is swaying which teams will get an 18th game (and potentially beyond) and which will be going home on Jan. 8, 2024.
Although nobody has clinched anything this early, there are a couple of safe conclusions to draw looking at the standings.
In the AFC, it would take a monumental collapse for the Chiefs (7–2), Ravens (7–3) or Jaguars (6–3) to miss the playoffs, considering their records, talent and divisional situation. The Bengals (5–4) and Dolphins (6–3) also appear to be safe bets.
In the NFC, the Eagles (8–1) have the clear path to the top seed for the second consecutive year. It also looks like the Cowboys (6–3) will be a dangerous wild–card team, while the 49ers (6–3) and Seahawks (6–3) are both likely playoff teams who will battle for the NFC West crown. Then there’s the Lions (7–2), who should have a hammerlock on the NFC North, meaning they’ll host a playoff game for the first time since 1993.
Let’s take a look below at where the AFC and NFC playoff pictures stand, and who the biggest contenders are on the outside looking in.
AFC: Who’s In
If the season ended today, here's who would make the playoffs:
No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 7–2, first, AFC West
The Chiefs won their bye week. Kansas City got a litany of excellent results in its pursuit of home-field advantage, with the Bengals, Ravens and Jaguars all losing at home. Andy Reid’s team has a tough game off its break with a Monday night showdown against the Eagles at Arrowhead, but afterward gets the Raiders and Packers.
