What an interesting week in the NFL. All six of the playoff picture teams from last week on the AFC side won while the teams trying to move into the picture (Chargers and Dolphins) both lost. On the NFC side, none of the division leaders won while the Packers were on a bye and the Seahawks won. In the end, nothing changed in the picture (including seedings).
Starting off with the AFC, the Patriots added a game to their lead over the Dolphins in the East giving them a two game lead. Up North, both the Ravens and Steelers won keeping Baltimore's lead at one. Their face-off in Sunday Night Football will determine who has the division lead. The Texans and Colts both won in the South, and so, Houston maintains a two game lead. Only the Broncos won in the West increasing their lead over San Diego to two games.
The Colts and Steelers are the only other AFC teams with a winning record. Indianapolis has the better conference record (4-2 versus 3-3) and thus gets the higher spot.
The Texans at 8-1 have the top spot. The 7-2 Ravens follow. The Patriots and Broncos are tied at 6-3, and since New England won the head-to-head match up, so they get the #3. The AFC picture is still:
On the NFC side, the Giants lead is down to 1.5 game with their loss and the Cowboys win over the Eagles. The Bears now lead the Packers by just a game in the North. After losing, the Falcons lead over the Buccaneers is just three games. After tying the Rams, the 49ers now lead the Seahawks by just a game in the West.
The Packers have the best records of the non-division leading teams and have the #5 seed. Seattle and Minnesota are tied for the next best record, and with the head-to-head victory, the Seahawks get the nod.
The division leaders all have different records, and lining them up in order is easy: Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, then New York. The NFC playoff picture is:
Looking ahead to next week, all of the current AFC playoff teams are safe although there is opportunity for some of the teams to shuffle around seeds. On the NFC side, all of the division leaders will be in the picture next week (the Bears could lose their division lead) and Seattle is safe while off on a bye. The Packers have the best chance for the last spot: if they win, they keep it. If the Packers lose, the Buccaneers can take the spot with a win. If both the Packers and Bucs lose, the Vikings who will be on a bye take the spot. Additionally it should be noted that Green Bay overtakes the lead in the North with a win and a Chicago loss.
Week 11's top games feature the Bears versus the 49ers, Indianapolis at New England, and the Ravens travelling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers with the AFC North lead on the line.
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