NFL playoff picture after week 15: Who’s in, Who’s out?
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, the competition for the 2023 NFL playoffs is still undecided. In the AFC, a team secured their spot in the playoffs.
The NFL playoff battles are as unpredictable and chaotic as ever, ensuring that the final stretch of the season will be unforgettable. As Week 15 began, the AFC had 11 teams with winning records and an additional six teams with a 7-6 record, marking the most teams with that record in a single conference since 1970.
What has just taken place? What is the meaning of it? As each conference's seven-team bracket starts to take shape, what are the key factors and potential tiebreakers that come into play? Everything will be clarified and examined until the postseason teams are determined on Sunday night, January 7th.
Let's take a look at how the AFC and NFC playoff races are developing after Week 15.
The AFC Outlook
There were six teams last week that had the same 7-6 record. Week 15 saw only four clubs secure wins.
Despite not having C.J. Stroud, the Texans defeated the low-ranked Tennessee Titans on Sunday after a full 60 minutes of regular play and overtime. If you're in Houston, you'll need to keep your fingers crossed Stroud will be available for Week 16 against the formidable Browns defense.
No one wants to face the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. Buffalo narrowly won against the Chiefs in Week 14 but made a considerable impact by dominating the red-hot Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Bills could use some help to make it into the playoffs, but if they do, watch out.
There is no doubt that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos were the biggest losers this weekend. The Steelers, who have been unable to reach the 20-point mark in a game for the past five weeks, are dealing with a complete collapse after their third consecutive defeat against the Colts on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions dominated the Broncos with a final score of 42-17. They are fortunate that their next three opponents - Patriots, Chargers, Raiders - have a combined record of 14-28.
AFC playoff picture
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens locked in a playoff spot by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday Night Football. However, the Ravens have their sights set on a bigger goal, as they are currently in a sound position to secure a first-round bye. In the meantime, the Jaguars find themselves with a record that matches both the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, but they have tiebreakers over their division rivals.
Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Dolphins, vs. Steelers
Miami Dolphins
The Miami team started Week 15 holding the second spot in the AFC, and they will maintain that position because of the Ravens' victory on Sunday night. If the Dolphins can win all their remaining games, including the one against the Ravens in Week 17, they will secure the top seed.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys, at Ravens, vs. Bills
Kansas City Chiefs
Although it wasn't a pretty game, the Chiefs were able to get back to winning when they faced the Patriots. Despite two interceptions, the Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, emerged victorious. After defeating the Patriots, the Chiefs now have a two-game lead over the Broncos in the AFC West. The team holds the third seed, trailing the Ravens by two games for the first position.
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Bengals, at Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Despite the loss, the Jaguars maintain their position as the No. 4 seed in the AFC. Even though they are tied for first place in the AFC South, the Jaguars hold the advantage in head-to-head matchups against the Texans and Colts.
Remaining schedule: at Buccaneers, vs. Panthers, at Titans
Cleveland Browns
It's another victory for Joe Flacco. Despite the Chicago Bears appearing to dominate for three quarters, the Cleveland Browns, led by the impressive performance of Flacco, rallied in the final quarter to maintain their position as the top wild-card team in the AFC.
Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Jets, at Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati, we're glad to see you again. No Joe Burrow? No problem. Thanks to Jake Browning, the former undrafted quarterback who has won his last three games, the Bengals are now in contention for the playoffs. Nonetheless, after their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browning and the Bengals will wrap up their season with matches the Chiefs and Browns.
Remaining schedule: at Steelers, at Chiefs, vs. Browns
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts currently hold the seventh seed in the AFC and have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Houston Texans, who are in eighth place, for the last playoff spot. In addition, the Colts hold the tiebreaker over the Bills (No. 9) based on their conference record for the last playoff position. Cincinnati holds the tiebreaker over Indianapolis in their head-to-head competition for the No. 6 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Falcons, vs. Raiders, vs. Texans
In The Hunt
Texans 8-6
Bills 8-6
Steelers 7-7
Broncos 7-7
Raiders 6-8
Houston Texans
With their overtime victory against the Titans, the Texans kept their hopes of making the playoffs alive. With the head-to-head tiebreaker favoring Indianapolis, Houston settles for the No. 8 seed instead of the No. 7. When it comes to a conference-record tiebreaker; they have the edge over Buffalo (No. 9).
Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, vs. Titans, at Colts
Buffalo Bills
The Bills kept their playoff dreams alive by dominating the Cowboys and currently occupy the 9th spot. Indianapolis (No. 7) and Houston (No. 8) surpass Buffalo in the conference-record tiebreaker, while Cincinnati (No. 6) prevails in the head-to-head tiebreaker against Buffalo.
Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Patriots, at Dolphins
Eliminated Teams
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Tennessee Titans
The NFC Outlook
The Eagles' defeat against Seattle resulted in Philadelphia sliding down to the fifth spot in the conference, while the Cowboys moved back up to second place. The Seahawks are now part of a group that includes the Rams, Vikings, and Saints, all of whom have a 7-7 record. However, the Vikings and Rams still hold the sixth and seventh positions, respectively. According to the tiebreaker process, the initial pairing is between the two NFC West teams, and the Rams eliminate the Seahawks because they swept the season series against them.
The upcoming game on Thursday between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints has the potential to greatly impact the wild-card battle.
The Saints would face a challenging task after falling one game behind in the race for the final spot, while the Rams could create some distance with a victory and the Seattle Seahawks losing. New Orleans could turn the tables on Los Angeles if it leaves SoFi Stadium with a victory.
With tough games ahead for the Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Jacksonville Jaguars), and Atlanta Falcons (Indianapolis Colts), it's unlikely that the three-team competition in the NFC South will change significantly by Monday.
NFC Playoff Picture
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers continued their usual business and secured the NFC West title for the second consecutive year, dominating the Arizona Cardinals. In terms of head-to-head matchups, the 49ers hold the advantage over the Eagles, and they also have a one-game lead and tiebreaker over the Cowboys for the number one seed.
Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Commanders, vs. Rams
Dallas Cowboys
Following the Eagles' loss to the Seahawks, the Cowboys have reclaimed the second seed (thanks to their stronger division record as the tiebreaker). Dallas earned a spot in the playoffs because the Falcons and Packers lost, while the Lions won on Saturday.
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Commanders
Detroit Lions
The Lions have won three more games than the Vikings in the NFC North and currently hold the No. 3 seed in the conference. The top spot in the conference is within their reach, as they are only one game behind the 49ers in the standings.
Remaining schedule: at Vikings, at Cowboys, vs. Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite facing tough competition from the Packers, the Buccaneers managed to secure a victory on Sunday, allowing them to maintain their leading position in the NFC South. The tiebreaker that gives them the advantage over the Saints is based on their head-to-head record.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, vs. Saints, at Panthers
Philadelphia Eagles
The victory of the 49ers on Sunday ensured that Philadelphia would clinch a playoff spot. By virtue of their defeat to the Seahawks, the Eagles relinquished their control over the NFC East. If they are able to win all of their remaining games, they still have a chance to win the division through a tiebreaker. On Sunday, they secured a spot in the playoffs because of the 49ers winning and both the Falcons and Packers losing.
Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Cardinals, at Giants
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are desperately holding onto their playoff position. Despite squandering a 17-3 advantage in a defeat to the Bengals last Saturday, Minnesota still has two games left against the Lions, who currently top the division. Before Week 15, the Vikings occupied the sixth seed in the conference, but their defeat moved them into the group of NFC teams with seven losses. They have the tiebreaker advantage over the Rams and Saints in conference records for the 6th seed.
Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, vs. Packers, at Lions
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams, led by Sean McVay, secured the last wild-card spot by defeating the Washington Commanders. L.A. has now won four of its last five with its only defeat being an overtime loss to the Ravens. The Rams' chances of making the playoffs would greatly benefit from another win next week, especially against the 7-7 New Orleans Saints.
Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, at Giants, at 49ers
In the hunt
Saints 7-7
Seahawks 6-7
Falcons 6-8
Packers 6-8
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are currently tied for first place in the NFC South after defeating the Giants in Week 15; however, they lose the tiebreaker because the Buccaneers defeated them in their direct matchup. New Orleans takes the No. 9 seed, missing out on the tiebreaker to Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Seattle based on conference record.
Remaining schedule: at Rams, at Buccaneers, vs. Falcons
Seattle Seahawks
Despite winning on Monday night, the Seahawks didn't secure a wild-card spot, but they remained on par with their competitors. Following their victory over the Eagles on Monday night, the Seahawks now hold the eighth seed in the NFC. They hold the No. 8 position because of their superior conference record compared to the Saints. The Rams have the advantage in head-to-head matchups for the No. 7 spot.
Remaining schedule: at Titans, vs. Steelers, at Cardinals
Eliminated Teams
Washington Commanders
Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
Projected NFL draft order:
Bears (via Panthers)
Patriots
Cardinals
Commanders
Bears
Jets
Giants
Chargers
Titans
Falcons
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