We're in to December and it's crunch time! All teams have four or five games remaining and we are on the last group of teams having a bye week. The playoff picture has taken some shape but nothing has been clinched yet. A few teams can clinch a playoff spot this weekend, though. With that said, this version of the playoff picture will view the current playoff picture and also include the team's remaining schedule. Let's get in to it!
1 seed: Buffalo Bills (9-3, own the head to head over Kansas City)
Remaining schedule:
New York Jets
Miami
At Chicago
At Cincinnati
New England
It was a great weekend for Bills Mafia as along with their win over Patriots, the Chiefs, Dolphins, and Jets all lost, allowing Buffalo to retake the top spot in the division and AFC. The remaining schedule is not easy as three divisional games remain as well as a tough road test at Cincy. The Bears could be viewed as a trap game as they are eliminated from postseason contention but have shown signs of life with Justin Fields. They control their own destiny. Can they keep the turnovers down and fend off the rest of the field to have that coveted bye?
2 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (9-3, lost the head to head to Buffalo)
Remaining schedule:
At Denver
At Houston
Seattle
Denver
At Las Vegas
Perhaps the Bengals are the Chiefs' kryptonite? They've lost to them three times in the span of a calendar year and, again, it was by three points. The loss was painful as it cost them the top seed and will need help getting back there. While they will likely win their division and host a playoff game, they have to focus on a sneaky tough schedule ahead to go in to the playoffs on a good note. It starts with the first meeting of the year against a top five defense in the Broncos. Mahomes likely still has the path to the MVP and will likely need to perform at his MVP level (which is normal for him) to rebound from that tough loss.
3 seed: Baltimore Ravens (8-4, currently own the head to head over Cincinnati)
Remaining schedule:
At Pittsburgh
At Cleveland
Atlanta
Pittsburgh
At Cincinnati
They escaped with the win over Denver last week but it was costly. QB Lamar Jackson suffered a knew injury that has him week to week. What the team doesn't want is for history to repeat itself and the team free falls out of playoff position like it did last year while Lamar was on the shelf. While the schedule is statistically easy, it really isn't as the Steelers have played better as of late and Atlanta (at this point) still has something to play for. Cincy is looking the best team in the ENTIRE AFC right now and will be looking for revenge on their early season loss to the Ravens. Backup QB Tyler Huntley played serviceably in Lamar Jackson-esque form last week and will be looked upon again to keep the ship straight until their MVP returns.
4 seed: Tennessee Titans (7-5)
Remaining schedule:
Jacksonville
At Los Angeles Chargers
Houston
Dallas
At Jacksonville
It's been a rough two weeks for the AFC South leaders as they lost the playoff rematch to the very hot Bengals and then were shut down in all phases by Philadelphia the following week. Despite losing the last two, and splitting the last six games, they have a three game lead in the division with five to go. Barring a catastrophic collapse, they will be hosting a playoff game. They have to find a way to get their best offensive player, Derrick Henry, back on track. A few divisional games against inferior competition sounds like a plan but they are never easy going - especially Jacksonville since they will play each other for the first time this week. Also, Dallas still awaits as their toughest game remaining and their defense is very legit. The Cowboys will likely still have much to play for depending on how certain games match up.
5 seed: Cincinnati Bengals (8-4, currently losing the head to head to Baltimore, own the head to head over Miami)
Remaining schedule:
Cleveland
At Tampa Bay
At New England
Buffalo
Baltimore
Winners of four straight, the Mahomes' killers are hot right now and could be the best team in the conference right now. They get a chance to get revenge for their last loss - A Monday Night beatdown from the Browns back on Halloween, 32-13. In that game, the Bengals were shut out until the fourth quarter. They'll go for a split of the series Sunday. Their schedule isn't the easiest at all but, the way they are playing, it seems like that they are capable of beating anyone right now. The season finale against the Ravens can loom large with the Ravens having to navigate the near future without Lamar Jackson.
6 seed: Miami Dolphins (8-4, lost the head to head to Cincinnati)
Remaining Schedule:
At Los Angeles Chargers
At Buffalo
Green Bay
At New England
New York Jets
The high flying offense was grounded by the league's best defense last week, knocking the Fins out of first place (in the division) and back to the wild card. Tua looked off and could not connect with his targets. But, San Fran does that to a lot of teams. They must rebound quickly as they visit a desperate Chargers team that is trying to stay alive in the wildcard chase. Afterwards, a trip cross-country to Orchard Park where the Bills will surely want revenge for their early season loss. The remaining games aren't cakewalks, either, as two divisional games await and a Packers team that may have Rodgers still playing if the team is mathematically in play for a playoff spot.
7 seed: New York Jets (7-5)
Remaining schedule:
At Buffalo
Detroit
Jacksonville
At Seattle
At Miami
They hung tough but were unable to crack the code of the Vikings' mastery of one score games. They are still very much in the playoff hunt, currently in the seventh spot, but they are facing some upcoming challenges. This week, they travel to Orchard Park where the Bills will look to avenge their earlier loss in the Meadowlands. Detroit has made a late season push and have seemed to found their offensive mojo. Jacksonville has shown promise. Seattle will be looking to keep pace with San Fran atop the NFC West. Miami will likely still have much to play for and will also be looking to avenge a loss in the Meadowlands earlier this season. The Jets have the right QB in Mike White right now, as he has shown accountability and the players are going to bat for him. Is he the long term answer? That's unknown. Is the answer right now? Absolutely.
In the hunt
8 seed: New England Patriots (6-6, currently own the conference record tiebreaker over the Chargers - 5-3 vs 4-4)
Despite the lifeless loss to Buffalo, winnable games remain for the Pats (at Arizona this week, at Las Vegas next week) but they finish the season with three tough games (Cincy, Miami, at Buffalo). They will probably need to win four of these games, and preferably against the AFC opponents to make some noise at the wildcard table.
9 seed: Los Angeles Chargers (6-6)
Injuries have made the season hard (again) but they still remain in the hunt. The loss last weekend to the Raiders was a serious blow to their playoff hopes as the team, while finishing the season with three winnable games (at Indy, LA Rams, at Denver), they have two tough games in front of them first (Miami, Tennessee), and will probably need to win one of those along with the three at the end to get in the playoffs.
10 seed: Las Vegas Raiders (5-7, currently own the conference record tiebreakers over the Browns and Steelers - 4-5 vs 3-6 vs 2-6)
Three straight wins have the team in the edge of the playoff picture! I admit, I was one of many that was calling for coaching change after the loss the Colts and an interim coach. Now, the team is looking at a schedule that may have some wins on it if they can keep up their current play (at Rams, New England, at Pittsburgh, San Fran, Kansas City). The end of the season will be extremely challenging but, there is a chance that both San Fran and Kansas City may not have much to play for and could be resting starters.
11 seed: Cleveland Browns (5-7)
They have won their last two and are on the edge of the playoff picture. QB Desean Watson is back from suspension and looked very rusty in his first game action in 700 days. They got the win but now, it gets serious as four of their last five are against teams that are either in the playoffs currently, or are fighting for a potential spot (at Cincy, Baltimore, Saints, at Washington, at Pittsburgh).
12 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7)
Winners of three of their last four, with a close loss to Cincy, the team is back in the playoff hunt. Credit head coach Mike Tomlin for keeping the team engaged, even while staring down a possible first losing season in a decade and a half at the helm. They have three divisional games left, two against Baltimore, and have a couple winnable non divisional games around them (Baltimore, at Carolina, Las Vegas, at Baltimore, Cleveland).
If the season ended today...
Bye to the divisional round: Buffalo Bills
Super Wild Card Weekend:
1 seed: Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
Remaining schedule:
At New York Giants
At Chicago
At Dallas
New Orleans
New York Giants
The team has won three straight since losing their first game of the season. What's come with that has been an improved run defense while still having a top end pass defense. The offense still hums with efficiency and the team as a whole can still win in multiple ways. All of this was evident in the most recent win over the AFC South leading Titans. Philadelphia hasn't locked up a playoff spot yet, but can with a win this weekend plus a little help. Make no mistake, they are only focused on the Giants (a team they are facing for the first time this season) this weekend and continuing to get wins and control their own destiny.
2 seed: Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Remaining schedule:
At Detroit
Indianapolis
New York Giants
At Green Bay
At Chicago
This team has seemed to master the one-score game, as they took on a Jets team that was up to the task and left with a five point win. That make nine wins and no losses in one score games this season. Their only win by more than one score was in week 1 against Green Bay (23-7). The division is theirs for the taking with a win this weekend against the rival Lions. Surprisingly enough, the Lions are FAVORED in this matchup (Vegas had them at -3 last time I saw it). The Vikings have a manageable schedule the rest of the way but I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few more one score games along the way.
3 seed: San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
Remaining schedule:
Tampa Bay
At Seattle
Washington
At Las Vegas
Arizona
A great win over the Dolphins came with a heavy price as QB Jimmy G was lost for the rest of the season with a foot injury. Reports have come out that he could be back for the divisional round of the playoffs, should the team make it that far. in the meantime, Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, will be handling the QB duties. He handed it very well against the Dolphins but a much stiffer test comes to town with the Bucs' elite defense and Tom Brady looking to keep his offensive magic rolling.
4 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
Remaining schedule:
At San Francisco
Cincinnati
At Arizona
Carolina
At Atlanta
Tom Brady is still very much the G.O.A.T. as he displayed with two touchdown drives in a matter of minutes to get the Bucs the win while exorcising the Saints demons. The 49ers will be the best defense the Bucs will face this season and both teams need this game badly. It's probably not ideal for the Bucs to alternate road and home games the rest of the season but, it seems as if they won't be playing in bad weather the rest of the way.
5 seed: Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
Remaining schedule:
Houston
At Jacksonville
Philadelphia
At Tennessee
At Washington
They only needed the fourth quarter explosion to beat the Colts last week after scoring 33 in that quarter to turn what was a one score game into a ridiculous blowout. Both sides of the ball are playing well as they are pretty much locking up the 5 seed if they do not catch the Eagles for the division. Speaking of which, that is still very much in play as they have two winnable games in front of them before they see the Eagles again on Christmas Eve. That will be the home finale for the Cowboys and I expect some flexing of the schedule to be done to highlight what would be a dandy of a game. Lose that game, though, and they are pretty much locked in to the wild card. Win, and it gets really interesting down the stretch.
6 seed: New York Giants (7-4-1)
Remaining schedule:
Philadelphia
At Washington
At Minnesota
Indianapolis
At Philadelphia
They have only won once since their week 9 bye (week 10 against Houston 24-16), and have the hardest remaining schedule of any team in the league that is in playoff position. Now, that is skewed heavily due to having to face Philadelphia twice but, facing Washington, whom they just TIED, and Minnesota, both on the road, along with Philadelphia will not be easy. That tie could have major complications on the playoff picture at the end of the season and it could cost the Giants greatly if they can't find their mojo.
7 seed: Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Remaining schedule:
Carolina
San Francisco
At Kansas City
New York Jets
Los Angeles Rams
They probably want that game back against the Raiders, despite winning the next week against the Rams in SoFi. The winnable games next week and at the end of the season are sandwiching a tough three game stretch that could define their season. The good part to all of this is that they only travel once during this stretch and also that the Niners did lose Jimmy G to an injury - possibly opening a path back to the division lead.
In the hunt
8 seed: Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
They are on a bye this week and will be watching the games closely this weekend as they could find themselves on the inside of the playoffs depending on results. They get right back to it after the bye with the rematch against Giants right away before having two of their last three against really tough opponents. (Giants, at San Fran, Browns, at Dallas)
9 seed: Detroit Lions (5-7)
They have won four of their last five and have crept in to the playoff picture. While a loss this weekend eliminates them from the division, they still are in the wild card hunt regardless. A win this weekend, and things get REALLY interesting down the stretch in the wild card chase. (Minnesota, at NYJ, at Carolina, Chicago, at Green Bay)
10 seed: Green Bay Packers (5-8, own strength of victory tiebreaker over Atlanta)
Also on a bye, Rodgers gets to revel in the fact that he still owns the Bears. The division is out of reach for them and, realistically, they will probably have to run the table + get some help to get in the playoffs. (Rams, at Miami, Minnesota, Detroit)
11 seed: Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
They, too, are on a bye, and will likely have to win out to catch Tampa in the division. Winning out might not be enough for the wild card being that the Commanders, Seahawks/49ers and Giants are too far ahead at this point. (at N.O., at Baltimore, Arizona, Tampa Bay)
If the season ended today...
Bye to the divisional round: Philadelphia Eagles
Super Wild Card Weekend:
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