The following is calculated assuming that all unplayed games are 0-0 ties. That is assumed to make tiebreakers work out better.
We are now at the "sort of" midway point in the NFL season: half of the 32 teams have played 8 games (the other half have only played seven). Currently there are no ties within any of the divisions (and only one tie that affects a playoff position), so today's run down will be a lot easier than usual.
Starting off with the AFC East, the Patriots added a game to their game this past weekend and now lead the Jets by two games. The Dolphins follow a half game back, and the Bills are a half game behind Miami.
Up North, Cincinnati won their fourth straight game and now lead Baltimore by two and a half games. Cleveland is a half game behind the Ravens, and Pittsburgh is a half game behind the Browns.
In the South, the Colts lead the Titans by two games and the Texans by three. The Jaguars are an embarrassing 0-8 (5.5 games behind Indianapolis).
Out West, undefeated Kansas City leads Denver by a game. San Diego is 2.5 games behind the Broncos, and Oakland is a game back of the Chargers.
Ranking the divisional leaders, the Chiefs are two games ahead of the Bengals and Patriots. Cincinnati has the tie breaking edge over New England since they won their head-to-head match up. Indianapolis was off this past weekend and fell a half game behind the tied duo.
As for the wild cards, the Broncos have the best record of the second place teams and thus currently have the first wild card. The 4-3 Chargers have the next best record, so they have the second wild card. Therefore both of the AFC's wild card spots are currently coming from the West. Here's the current AFC playoff picture:
Moving onto the NFC, the 4-4 Cowboys lead the East by one game over the Eagles. The Redskins are a half game back from there, and the Giants are a half game back on Washington.
As for the North, Green Bay leads Detroit by a half game. Chicago is a game behind the Lions, and Minnesota is three games behind the Bears.
Down South, the Saints have a two game lead over the Panthers. The Falcons are two games behind Carolina, and the Buccaneers are two games back of Atlanta.
In the West, the Seahawks lead the 49ers by a game. The Cardinals are two games back of San Francisco, and the Rams are a game back from Arizona.
Looking at the divisional leaders, Seattle leads the way at 7-1. The Saints are second at 6-1: a half game back. A game back from New Orleans are the Packers. The Cowboys are a game and a half behind Green Bay.
The first NFC wild card is currently the 49ers at 6-2. The second belongs to the Lions at 5-3. The NFC playoff picture is the same as last week:
Looking ahead to next week, nine of the twelve playoff positions are locked up before any games have been played. Seven of those are divisional leaderships. Additionally both of the top wild card are already known. Regarding the division leaders, all of the current AFC leaders (Kansas City, Cincinnati, New England, and Indianapolis) will still be leading their division after next week along with Dallas, New Orleans, and Seattle. As for the locked up wild cards, Denver and San Francisco are assured their spots next week.
As for the NFC North, the Packers will retain the lead if they win otherwise the Lions take over (Detroit is on a bye next week).
Six teams have a shot at the second AFC wild card spot. The best chance goes to the Chargers who keep the spot if they win or if all of the contenders lose. The Jets take the spot with a win and a loss by San Diego. The Titans get the spot with a win and a loss by both of the previous teams. If those three all lose, the Ravens can take the spot with a win. The Dolphins take the spot with a win and a loss by the previous four. And if San Diego, New York, Tennessee, Baltimore, and Miami all lose, the Raiders can take over with a win.
The NFC wild card possibilities are simpler. If Carolina wins, they get the spot. Otherwise the result of the Chicago/Green Bay game decides it: the Bears take the spot if they win otherwise the Lions keep the spot with a Packers win.
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