The weeks are peeling off the calendar, as well as the NFL season. With only three weeks left, we are down to 23 teams still in the playoff race. Of those 23 teams, seven have already punched their ticket, and the remaining 16 are vying for the other seven.
Buffalo Bills:
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 19: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Bills have now beaten the Lions and the Chiefs. In watching them, it’s hard to see how they ever lose a game. With two out of their last three games against the Patriots, they could very well be the no.1 seed.
Philadelphia Eagles:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 29: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Eagles, Vikings, and Lions all have two losses. I feel the Eagles are the best of the three at this point.
Detroit Lions:
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Week 18 is going to be a great matchup against the Vikings at home.
Kansas City Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands the football to Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Even though they are ahead by two in the loss column, the Bills could overtake them for the no.1 seed and sole bye in the AFC.
Minnesota Vikings:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Week 18 is going to be a great matchup against the Lions in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers:
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers gives assignments during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 9, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
At 10-4, the Packers would be in first place in four divisions in the league.
Baltimore Ravens:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
At 9-5 the Ravens are still only the no.5 seed in the AFC if the playoffs started today…but they don’t. They are one game behind the Steelers. By all accounts, everyone feels they are a better team, but as Bill Parcells liked to say, “You are what your record says you are.” It will be interesting to see if the Ravens can overtake the Steelers and break through to win the division.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The Ravens may be better, but the Steelers beat them head-to-head and are sitting atop the AFC North. These last three weeks will be intriguing to watch…oh, and HC Mike Tomlin is again over .500.
Los Angeles Rams:
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
You know I love the Rams. I have been their biggest cheerleader all season. They have withstood key injuries but are getting healthy at the right time. They have won seven out of their last nine games and are in first place in the mediocre NFC West.
Denver Broncos:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos hands to the ball to Audric Estime #23 against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images)
The Broncos are sitting with the no.6 seed in the AFC and currently have a 92% chance of making it to the postseason.
Houston Texans:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans attempts a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Texans have clinched the AFC South, even with their slew of injuries and CJ Stroud having a slight sophomore slump.
Washington Commanders:
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Commanders have a tough matchup this week against the Eagles, but even if they lose, they will have a 77% chance of making it to the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks:
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 12: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
While the Rams have been surging, the Seahawks have been slumping. They are currently the eighth seed and are playing the Vikings this week. A loss would drop their playoff chances down to 22%.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Bucs are leading the NFC South and have a clear path to the postseason. They are playing the Cowboys this week, and a win will all but secure a playoff spot, with a 93% chance of getting in.
Los Angeles Chargers:
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The no.7 seed Chargers are playing the no.6 seed Broncos this week. Both teams are realistically making it to the postseason, but another Charger loss to get them to 8-7 would definitely tighten things up.
Arizona Cardinals:
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 12: James Conner #6 celebrates with DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals after a touchdown during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Cardinals defeated the Titans 38-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Cardinals won an important game to stop the bleeding for a week. They are .500 at 7-7, even with a win against the Panthers, their playoff odds only jump to 16%
Atlanta Falcons:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Falcons are facing the Giants this week. A win will raise their playoff chances to nearly 40%.
Miami Dolphins:
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 5: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of Miami Dolphins looks on during the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on November 5, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
The Dolphins are nearly out of the playoffs and their matchup this week against the 49ers will effectively be a knockout game.
Cincinnati Bengals:
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
We’ve seen this movie before…the Bengals started off slow and are trying to come on strong. They play the Browns this week, and a win will still only raise their playoff odds to 7%.
San Fransisco 49ers:
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The current odds of the 49ers to make the playoffs is less than 1%. A win against the Dolphins won’t affect their odds; they will still be less than 1%…so what you’re saying is there’s a chance.
Dallas Cowboys:
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The Cowboys have mirrored each other all year. The 49ers have been without Christian McCaffrey for much of the season, as the Cowboys have been without Dak Prescott. They are each sitting at 6-8, and both have the same playoff chances…slim and none.
Indianapolis Colts:
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 12: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
A win against a very beatable Tennessee team will improve the Colts odds to 18%. And at the moment, the Titans don’t know who will be starting.
New Orleans Saints:
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Saints are 5-9 and the 13th seed in the NFC at the moment, yet still mathematically have a chance to make it to the postseason. By this time next week, they will not.
The Rest:
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 17: A detail shot of an NFL shield logo painted on the field prior to an NFL preseason football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
