The biggest winner by far is the Bills. They went on the road and beat a Lions team that was considered the best in the NFL. Now, although they are two games behind the Chiefs, two of their last three games are against the Patriots. And Patrick Mahomes has a high ankle sprain suffered against Cleveland this week in their win against the Browns. And let’s not forget that the Bills defeated the Chiefs in their matchup and hold the tiebreaker if they can somehow get back to even with them.
Houston Texans:
This has been a down year for CJ Stroud, yet with three weeks to go, they have already secured the division title and home playoff game. Maybe they’ll be able to rest players over the next month heading into the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams:
If you read any of my stuff, you know how much I like the Rams. They have been my sleeper team all season and have said that if they can actually secure a playoff spot, they’ll be dangerous. They’ve now won seven out of nine games and leading the NFC West.
Washington Commanders:
The Commanders are coming off a precarious 1pt win against the Saints 20-19. Games like this will toughen them up for the playoffs if they can get there. They currently have a 78% chance of making it through and sitting with the seventh seed. They are sitting at 9-5, one game ahead of the 8-6 Seahawks.
Baltimore Ravens:
The Ravens are still only the fifth seed in the AFC, still behind the Steelers. But the Steelers loss, coupled with the Ravens victory, only puts them one game behind. The Ravens are the better team, but Bill Parcells always said, you are what your record says you are. Their path becomes much harder as a wildcard team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Buccaneers completely routed the Chargers 40-17 and are sitting with the no.3 seed in the NFC. At 8-6 they don’t seem like they’ll get through to make a deep playoff run, but they do have championship pedigree on the team.
Denver Broncos:
After their 31-13 victory against the Colts, HC Sean Payton may have jumped Dan Campbell as front runner for coach of the year. What he is doing with this team, led by rookie QB Bo Nix is nothing short of remarkable. At the start of the year, I said I really liked this Nix/Payton fit…but I never expected a 9-5 record and the no.6 seed.
Arizona Cardinals:
After losing four in a row, the Cardinals had a get-right game against the Patriots…and they got right, at least for one game. They are the no.10 seed in the NFC with a 13% chance of getting to the postseason after their 30-17 win against the Patsies.
Philadelphia Eagles:
What more can be said about this team, they are seemingly on a mission. They easily defeated fellow division leader and cross-state rival. They defeated the Steelers 27-13, and could very well secure the no.1 seed and first-round bye in the NFC.
Green Bay Packers:
Do not sleep on this Packers team. Although they will only be a wildcard team, they have been playing really solid football. They easily handled a motivated Seahawks team, 30-13. If the playoffs began today, they’d have the no.6 seed and have a really tough draw going to Philadelphia.
Minnesota Vikings:
By far, the Vikings are the best 12-2 wildcard team in history. They have the same record as the Lions, and play them in a few weeks. They basically have control of their fate. If they win out, they secure the division, no.1 seed, and first-round bye.
Atlanta Falcons:
With their 15-9 win against the Raiders last night, they still have a fighting chance in the NFC South. They currently have the no.9 seed and, at 7-7, still only find themselves one game behind the Buccaneers. They currently have a 36% chance at making the postseason…one wonders where they’d be if they selected Bill Belichick to lead them this year.
Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals have such a dynamic offense it would be a shame if they don’t make it to the playoffs, but at the moment, they only have a 5% chance of getting in…and it’s mostly due to self-inflicted wounds. Losing to the Patriots on opening week is inexcusable.
Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys are back to 6-8 and could still pull out a winning season. They have less than a 1% chance of getting to the postseason.