The NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape entering Week 7, with several familiar contenders already occupying postseason positions while a few surprising teams remain firmly in the mix. After six weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are sitting atop their respective conferences, while the NFC North has become one of the league’s most competitive divisions.
Chiefs and 49ers remain on top
Kansas City enters Week 7 as the AFC’s No. 1 seed at 5-0 after another impressive victory, while Buffalo sits at 5-1 in the No. 2 spot. The Jaguars, Browns, Patriots, Broncos and Steelers currently round out the AFC playoff field, with the Ravens and Bengals among the teams just outside the picture.
The Chiefs remain undefeated despite some offensive inconsistencies, and their Week 6 victory over the Chargers kept them firmly in control of the AFC West. Buffalo, meanwhile, continues to position itself as Kansas City’s biggest challenger for the conference’s top seed.
The AFC North could become particularly interesting as the season progresses. Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore are all 4-2, while Cincinnati is 3-2. That leaves four teams separated by just one game, creating the potential for a major divisional race throughout the second half of the season.
The Chargers are currently 0-6 after another loss, leaving Los Angeles with a massive uphill climb if it hopes to get back into the postseason race.
NFC North creates crowded playoff race
The NFC currently runs through San Francisco and Minnesota. The 49ers improved to 6-0 following Monday night’s 23-17 victory over Washington, giving them the best record in the NFL. NFL.com has San Francisco ranked No. 1 in its Week 7 power rankings following the victory.
Minnesota remains undefeated at 5-0 and holds the NFC’s No. 2 seed, while Carolina and the New York Giants currently lead their respective divisions and occupy the third and fourth playoff positions.
Perhaps the biggest storyline is the NFC North, where all four teams are currently in the playoff picture. Green Bay and Chicago are both 4-2, while Detroit sits at 3-2. The Packers and Cowboys are coming off a Sunday night matchup that further strengthened Green Bay’s position.
Seattle, Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Dallas, Arizona, the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay are all still within striking distance in the NFC. With the standings this tight, Week 7 could dramatically reshape the postseason race.
The season is still young, but the current playoff picture already features several intriguing contenders — and plenty of teams that remain capable of making a major push before the second half of the NFL season.
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