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.
We have a new team in the top spot: the Kansas City Chiefs are back…they only one loss left in the league. An argument can certainly be made for the two-loss Vikings or Eagles, or even the three-loss Bills, but you know I’ve been partial to the Chiefs all season. They are the two-time defending champs and are one of the most resilient teams I’ve ever seen, with only a +70 pt. Differential, their record should be nowhere near 13-1, but here they stand.
Kansas City Chiefs:
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.
Buffalo Bills:
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:
The Eagles, Vikings, and Lions all have two losses. I feel the Eagles are the best of the three at this point.
Minnesota Vikings:
Week 18 is going to be a great matchup against the Lions in Detroit.
Detroit Lions:
Week 18 is going to be a great matchup against the Vikings at home.
Green Bay Packers:
At 10-4, the Packers would be in first place in four divisions in the league.
Baltimore Ravens:
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:
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.
Denver Broncos:
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:
The Texans have clinched the AFC South, even with their slew of injuries and CJ Stroud having a slight sophomore slump.
Washington Commanders:
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.
Los Angeles Rams:
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.
Seattle Seahawks:
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:
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:
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:
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:
The Falcons are facing the Giants this week. A win will raise their playoff chances to nearly 40%.
Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins are nearly out of the playoffs and their matchup this week against the 49ers will effectively be a knockout game.
Cincinnati Bengals:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Jets
Bears
Browns
Jaguars
Titans
Panthers
Patriots
Raiders
Giants