For the first time since week 9, the AFC playoff picture has changed (although only slightly). The NFC picture was pretty calm also. With four weeks to go, moving into a playoff position is getting more urgent.
Starting things off with the AFC East, the Patriots traveled to Miami and defeated the Dolphins to clinch the division. In the North, the Steelers were able to hold off the Ravens even though they were starting their third string quarterback to knock one game out of Baltimore's lead. The Ravens now lead the North by two games. In the South, the Texans and Colts both won, and so Houston's lead is stuck at three. And out west, the Broncos won while the Chargers fell, and that clinched the division for Denver.
In the Wild Card, the aforementioned Colts rallied from 12 down with less than 2 minutes to defeat the Lions and retain the #5 seed. The Steelers also held onto the #6 seed with their victory over the Ravens. The Bengals defeated the Chargers to remain even record-wise with Pittsburgh but are still behind on the tiebreaker.
Houston still leads the race for the AFC #1 seed by two games. The Patriots, Ravens, and Broncos are all tied at 8-3. New England has the best conference record of the three and is currently the #2. Baltimore has a better conference record than Denver, and so the Ravens are the #3 while the Broncos are the #4. Interestingly, the Ravens have the most control getting the #2 seed since they have a head-to-head victory over the Patriots and a week 15 game against the Broncos. Here's the current AFC playoff picture:
On the NFC side, the Giants lost to the Redskins on Monday Night Football and saw their divisional lead fall to just one game in the East. In the North, the Bears faltered while the Packers prevailed moving Green Bay back into the divisional lead by having the head-to-head victory (these two will face off again in week 15). Down South, the Falcons defeated the division rival Saints while the Buccaneers lost to the Broncos. These combined locked up the division for Atlanta. In the West, the 49ers lost to the Rams while the Seahawks won, and so San Francisco's lead is down to 1.5 games.
As for the NFC Wild Cards, Chicago fell into the #5 seed with their drop from the divisional lead. Seattle retained the #6 seed with their win and improved their odds of moving up. Four teams are tied at 6-6 and one game back.
The Falcons now have a 1.5 game lead for the top NFC seed. San Francisco is still holding onto the #2, but their lead is down to just a half game. Green Bay is the #3 leading the Giants (#4) by one game. Thus making the NFC playoff picture:
Looking forward to week 14, none of the AFC division leaders can be overtaken. Additionally, Indianapolis will be the #5 regardless of outcome. Thus, the only spot up for grabs is the #6 seed which will stay with the Steelers unless they lose and Cincinnati wins in which case the Bengals take cover. Pittsburgh is hosting San Diego, so things are not looking good for Cincinnati to take over.
The Falcons and 49ers will still be leading their respective divisions after week 14. The Packers will hold onto the lead in the North unless they lose and the Bears win in which case Chicago takes over. In the East, the Giants keep the lead if they win or if both the Redskins and Cowboys lose. If New York loses and both Washington and Dallas win, the Redskins take the lead. Otherwise, if the 'Boys win and the other two lose, Dallas takes the lead.
One of the NFC Wild Card spots will go to the non-North leader between the Packers and Bears. The other goes to Seattle if they win. Otherwise, it goes to the Redskins if Washington and New York both win. Otherwise, it goes to the Giants, if they lose, the Redskins lose, but the Cowboys win. If none of those scenarios comes true, the spot will stay with the Seahawks.
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