NFL Standings: Updated Playoff Picture for AFC and NFC Entering Week 12 of the 2024 Season

As the 2024-2025 NFL playoffs loom closer with just over seven weeks remaining in the regular season, the race for Super Bowl 59 intensifies. Here’s an updated breakdown of the current standings in both the AFC and NFC, outlining who’s in, who’s out, and how playoff seedings are shaping up entering Week 12’s Sunday and Monday matchups.

AFC Playoff Picture

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)

• Position: AFC West Leader
• Outlook: The Chiefs aim to secure the No. 1 seed, the conference’s lone bye, and home-field advantage. Despite a setback against the Bills in Week 11, they bounced back to reclaim a one-game lead over the Steelers.

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

• Position: AFC East Leader
• Outlook: The Bills trail the Chiefs by just half a game, thanks to a crucial Week 11 victory over Kansas City. Their Week 12 bye gives them rest for the final playoff push.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

• Position: AFC North Leader
• Outlook: A tough Thursday night loss to the Browns narrowed their divisional lead to one game over the Ravens. Regardless of Week 12 results, Pittsburgh retains the division lead due to their Week 11 win over Baltimore.

4. Houston Texans (7-5)

• Position: AFC South Leader
• Outlook: Despite a surprising Week 12 loss to the Titans, the Texans hold a comfortable two-game divisional lead over the Colts. However, surpassing the No. 3 seed appears unlikely.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

• Position: Wild Card No. 1 (Second Place, AFC West)
• Outlook: A win over the Bengals in Week 11 boosted their position. They face the Ravens in Week 12, a key matchup for seeding.

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

• Position: Wild Card No. 2 (Second Place, AFC North)
• Outlook: After a Week 11 loss to Pittsburgh, the Ravens aim to regain momentum and close the gap in the division race. Beating the Chargers in Week 12 could propel them higher in the wild-card standings.

7. Denver Broncos (7-5)

• Position: Wild Card No. 3 (Third Place, AFC West)
• Outlook: A resilient comeback win over the Raiders in Week 12 keeps the Broncos in the playoff hunt, with potential to rise as high as the fifth seed.

Teams on the Hunt

• 8. Miami Dolphins (5-6): Three consecutive wins have positioned them as the top threat to overtake Denver.
• 9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7): Despite inconsistency, the Colts remain a contender.
• 10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7): Struggles continue, but they hold slim hope with a strong finish.

Teams All But Eliminated

• 11. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
• 12. New York Jets (3-8)
• 13. Tennessee Titans (3-8)
• 14. New England Patriots (3-9)
• 15. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
• 16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)

These teams face long odds with no realistic path to playoff contention barring a miracle turnaround.

Stay tuned for updates on the NFC playoff picture and key Week 12 matchups that could reshape the postseason outlook!

NFC Playoff Picture: Updated Standings Entering Week 12 of the 2024 NFL Season

The NFC playoff race is heating up as the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles lead the way, while the remaining seeds remain highly contested. Here’s a breakdown of the current standings and how the NFC playoff picture shapes up after Week 12’s opening games.

1. Detroit Lions (10-1)

• Position: NFC North Leader
• Outlook: The Lions are in control of the NFC with the best record and a 1.5-game lead over the Eagles. They opened Week 12 with a convincing win over the Colts, keeping them on track for the top seed and the conference’s only bye.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

• Position: NFC East Leader
• Outlook: The Eagles solidified their hold on the division with a commanding road win over the Rams, highlighted by Saquon Barkley’s stellar performance. They’ve created a two-game cushion over the Commanders while staying within striking distance of the Lions.

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

• Position: NFC West Leader
• Outlook: The Seahawks climbed back to the top of the NFC West after a critical Week 12 win over the Cardinals, breaking their tie with Atlanta through head-to-head victories.

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

• Position: NFC South Leader
• Outlook: Despite a Week 11 loss to the Broncos, the Falcons remain atop the NFC South thanks to their 4-1 division record and a 1.5-game lead over the Buccaneers. Their playoff chances look strong in a relatively weak division.

5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

• Position: Wild Card No. 1 (Second Place, NFC North)
• Outlook: The Vikings continue to excel, trailing the Lions by one game in the division. A Week 12 win over the Bears further solidified their position as the NFC’s top wild-card team.

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)

• Position: Wild Card No. 2 (Third Place, NFC North)
• Outlook: The Packers have found their rhythm since their Week 10 bye. Wins over the Bears in Week 11 and the 49ers in Week 12 keep them firmly in the playoff mix, trailing the Vikings by just one game.

7. Washington Commanders (7-5)

• Position: Wild Card No. 3 (Second Place, NFC East)
• Outlook: A Week 11 loss to the Eagles and a Week 12 stumble against the Cowboys have hurt the Commanders’ division chances. They now hold a precarious grip on the NFC’s final playoff spot, just half a game ahead of the Cardinals.

Teams on the Hunt

• 8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5): After losing to Seattle, the Cardinals are just half a game behind Washington and remain in striking distance for the wild-card spot.
• 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6): Still alive in the NFC South race, they’re 1.5 games behind Atlanta.
• 10. Dallas Cowboys (5-6): A Week 12 win over the Commanders keeps their hopes alive, but they’ll need to string together victories to challenge for a wild-card spot.

Teams All But Eliminated

• 11. Los Angeles Rams (4-7)
• 12. San Francisco 49ers (4-7)
• 13. Chicago Bears (3-8)
• 14. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
• 15. New Orleans Saints (3-9)
• 16. New York Giants (2-9)

These teams are on the brink of elimination, with little room for error to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

Stay tuned for more updates as the NFC playoff race tightens in the coming weeks!