What’s the NFL playoff picture as of week 15? What teams are in and out?
As we head into the NFL’s Week 15, we’re taking a look at the teams that are in, those that are out, and those who can still make the playoffs.
NFL’s Week 15 will see five games in which two teams with winning records meet each other. What that means is that there will be numerous changes in the playoff picture once the week comes to an end. Who will have their post season hopes intact and who won’t? That’s the question we aim to answer.+
The NFL playoff picture ahead of Week 15
It’s that time of year and we don’t mean Christmas. No, it’s the business end of the NFL season and quite frankly we’ve got one of the more exciting campaigns in recent memory. So, with no further ado, let’s take a look at how things are shaping up for the postseason in both the AFC and NFC as we head into Week 15.
The NFC situation
First up, we have the division leaders in the NFC who despite their records at the moment, will have to make sure they don’t slip up as we enter the final few weeks of the campaign.
- San Francisco 49ers (10-3): San Francisco currently has the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Dallas and Philadelphia.
- Dallas Cowboys (10-3): Dallas maintains the tiebreaker over Philadelphia due to the fact that they have one more win in the NFC East.
- Detroit Lions (9-4): While they lead the NFC North lead, it's by no means as secure as it used to be.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7): The Bucs have the tiebreakers over both the Saints and the Falcons.
Next up we’ve got the wild cards. With competition for a spot fierce, we can expect fireworks in this battle to secure a playoff berth.
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-3): This is about seeding i.e., whoever fails to win the NFC East will be a sure bet to be road favorites over the NFC South winner in the wild card round.
- Minnesota Vikings (7-6): With Kirk Cousins out for the season and Justin Jefferson absent, it's hard to understand how the Vikings are still here, but they are.
- Green Bay Packers (6-7): It's safe to say that Monday night’s loss to the Giants did not help their cause hurts, however, the Packers still have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams and the conference record tiebreaker over the Falcons.
Last but not least, are those with an outside chance. Indeed, these are the teams who will need a little help if they are to punch their tickets to the postseason.
- Los Angeles Rams (6-7): Much like last year, it's been a rough one for the Rams, but they do have the conference record tiebreaker over the Falcons and the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks.
- Seattle Seahawks (6-7): If nothing else, they do hold the conference record tiebreaker over the Falcons.
- Atlanta Falcons (6-7): When it comes to the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Saints, they've got it.
- New Orleans Saints (6-7): It doesn't look good for the Saints if we're honest.
- New York Giants (5-8): They've won their last three games which is worth recognizing, but it will take more than that.
- Chicago Bears (5-8): They've pick themselves up lately, but like the Giants, it's going to take something special.
- Washington Commanders (4-9): At the risk of sounding harsh, a rebuild is in order.
- Arizona Cardinals (3-10): Hopefully the coming Draft will be kind.
- Carolina Panthers (1-12): Don't be surprised if we see them return the favor to the Bears by giving up the No. 1 pick in the Draft.
The AFC’s postseason landscape
While the division leaders are all but assured of a playoff spot, this is now about seeding. Indeed, all of them will be hoping to avoid the big boys of the NFC.
- Baltimore Ravens (10-3): With their record you can see they haven't been playing around.
- Miami Dolphins (9-3): Probably the most potent offense in the league this season.
- Kansas City Chiefs (8-5): The defending Super Bowl champions haven't been at their best, but they do have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jaguars.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5): The loss of their starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence will hurt and even more so now that they've got the Texans breathing down their necks in the AFC South.
The wild card race in the AFC is as fierce as it gets. Truth be told, this one is going to go to the wire.
- Cleveland Browns (8-5): The loss of starting quarterback DeShaun Watson hurt, but with veteran signal caller, Joe Flacco, the Browns may yet have a chance.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): Though there are some layers to consider, the Steelers, maintain the common games tiebreaker with the Colts, the conference games tiebreaker with the Bills and Broncos, and the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Bengals. That's all to say, with a little luck, they may get to go to the party.
- Indianapolis Colts (7-6): Indianapolis has the head-to-head tiebreaker over Houston and the conference record tiebreaker over Buffalo, Cincinnati and Denver.
As is the case in the NFC, we’ve got a whole bunch of teams that are in with an outside chance of making the playoffs. Let’s see who they are.
- Houston Texans (7-6): Currently have the conference record tiebreaker over Buffalo, Cincinnati and Denver.
- Denver Broncos (7-6): Russell Wilson and Co. can at least take comfort in the idea that they have the conference record tiebreaker over Cincinnati and the head-to-head tiebreaker over Buffalo.
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-6): Though they can no longer count on Joe Burrow, the Bengals do have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills.
- Buffalo Bills (7-6): Despite being one of the seven best teams in the conference, they aren't assured of a playoff berth. Strange but true.
- Los Angeles Chargers (5-8): No doubt they will be banking on the idea that they've still got the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Raiders and Jets.
- Las Vegas Raiders (5-8): Have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jets.
- New York Jets (5-8): It's been an up and down year for the Jets. With Zach Wilson finally showing his worth, could it be that they're about to make waves in the post season?
- Tennessee Titans (5-8): On one side, the Titans have played well recently. On the other, it may just be a case of too little, too late.
- New England Patriots (3-10): Done and dusted i.e. there is no mathematical possibility of them going to the playoffs.