NFL playoff picture: Updated AFC, NFC standings for Week 15
Week 15 in the NFL has begun and with fewer than three weeks remaining in the 2019 regular season, the NFL playoff picture is almost complete based on the current AFC and NFC standings.
Here is an updated look at what each conference field would look like now, what teams are still in contention and what teams should already be thinking about the offseason:
MORE: Clinching scenarios for Week 15
NFL standings for Week 15
AFC playoff picture
Who would be in?
1. Ravens, champions, AFC North (12-2) — The Ravens had little trouble against the Jets in a division-clinching win to open Week 15. They are looking great to secure the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs; they’re now a game plus a head-to-head to tiebreaker up on the Patriots with just two more games to go. Who’s left to play: at Browns, vs. Steelers
2. Patriots, first place, AFC East (11-3) — The Patriots clinched a playoff berth by beating the Bengals on the road as expected. They still have to work to do to clinch the division, which they can do against the second-place team next week. They are in good shape to keep this seed, but they remain a longshot for No. 1. Who’s left to play: vs. Bills, vs. Dolphins
3. Chiefs, champions, AFC West (10-4) — The Chiefs easily beat the Broncos to keep a little pressure on the Patirots and Ravens, the two teams ahead of them that they beat. They still need to keep winning and get some big-time help to move up to at least a first-round bye position. Who’s left to play: at Bears, vs. Chargers
4. Texans, first place, AFC South (9-5) —The Texans rebounded from their bad Week 14 loss by beating the Titans on the road in Week 15 to stay in first place in the division. They’re in great shape to win the division now, as they get the Titans at home in Week 17. They did beat the Patriots and Chiefs ahead of them, but it will be hard to move up a full game behind No. 3. Who’s left to play: at Buccaneers, vs. Titans
5. Bills, second place, AFC East (9-4) — The Bills cooled off with their home loss to the Ravens in Week 14, but they are still well-positioned to earn a wild-card spot, either as a No.5 or a No. 6. They get the team directly behind them in Week 15, another tough AFC North foe. If they win on Sunday night, they would clinch a playoff berth. Who’s left to play: at Steelers, at Patriots, vs. Jets
6. Steelers, second place, AFC North (8-5) —The Steelers stayed here after taking care of the lowly Cardinals on the road in Week 14. They hold the tiebreaker over the Titans for the second wild card because of a better conference record. They can move up to No. 5 in Week 15. Who’s left to play: vs. Bills, at Jets, at Ravens
Who can get there?
7. Titans (8-6); 8. Browns (6-7); 9. Raiders (6-7); 10. Colts (6-7)
The Titans suffered a tough loss to the Texans in Week 15 to hurt both their division and wild-card chances. The Browns, Raiders and Colts are all hanging by threads.
Who’s out?
11. Chargers (5-8); 12. Broncos (5-9); 13. Jets (5-9); 14. Jaguars (4-9); 15. Dolphins (3-11); 16. Bengals (1-13)
The Broncos were eliminated by their Week 15 loss to the Chiefs. The Jaguars were eliminated by their Week 14 loss to the Chargers, who also were eliminated by the Steelers’ win. The Jets were eliminated by both the Steelers and Titans winning, despite beating the Dolphins. The Dolphins were eliminated in Week 13. The Bengals are still headed toward the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
NFC playoff picture
Who would be in?
1. 49ers, first place, NFC West (11-2) — The 49ers got another much-needed NFC win, this time in New Orleans in Week 14, to take back the lead in the division by a full game over the Seahawks and with it, the pole position in the conference. They also have a key win over the No. 2 Packers. The 49ers will clinch a playoff spot by beating the Falcons in Week 15. The division title looks like it might come down to Week 17 in Seattle. Who’s left to play: vs. Falcons, vs. Rams, at Seahawks
2. Packers, first place, NFC North (11-3) — The Packers will maintain at least their one-game and head-to-head-tiebreaker lead over the Vikings in the division after beating the Bears in Week 15. They jumped the losing Saints for No. 2 in Week 14 thanks to a better conference record. They still have work to do in the divison to secure the title. Who’s left to play: at Vikings, at Lions
3. Saints, champions, NFC South (10-3) — The Saints lost a heartbreaking home shootout to the 49ers in Week 14, which really hurts their chances for both the top seed and at least a first-round bye. They will look to get back on track against a reeling AFC South foe in Week 15 and can win out with a very favorable remaining schedule. They need the Packers to lose and hope the Seahawks, whom they beat, win the NFC West to get the No. 1. Who’s left to play: vs. Colts, at Titans, at Panthers
4. Eagles, first place, NFC East (7-7) — The Eagles jumped over the Cowboys at least temporarily with their Week 15 thrilling comeback win over the Redskins, up a half-game. They would drop back out if the Cowboys should beat the Rams, given they don’t have a head-to-head tiebreaker. If not, the Eagles would have a one-game lead going into the head-to-head rematch. Who’s left to play: vs. Cowboys, at Giants
5. Seahawks, second place, NFC West (11-3) — The Seahawks failed to beat the Rams in Week 14 to jump back ahead of the 49ers, whom they beat on the road, But they rebounded well against the Panthers in Week 14 to get closer to at least a wild-card berth and stay close to the 49ers. The Seahawks clinch a playoff spot with either a Vikings or Rams loss in the late window. Who’s left to play: vs. Cardinals, vs. 49ers
6. Vikings, second place, NFC North (9-4) —The Vikings took care of business against the lowly Lions in Week 14 to keep pace with the Packers and, just as important, dampen the hopes of the Rams and the Bears behind them in the wild-card race. They need to keep winning, however, with the Rams and Bears hot. That won’t be easy with a tricky schedule, including a trap game in Week 15. Who’s left to play: at Chargers, vs. Packers, vs. Bears
Who can get there?
7. Rams (8-5); 8. Bears (7-7); 9. Cowboys (6-7)
The Rams’ win over the Seahawks in Week 14 moved them back within a game of the Vikings for the final wild-card spot and they also are a game and a head-to-head tiebreaker up on the Bears after beating them. The Bears would be eliminated after losing to the Packers in Week 15 if either the Vikings or Rams win. The Cowboys’ playoff chances are down to winning the NFC East over the Eagles, which will likely require beating the Eagles in Week 16.
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Who’s out?
10. Buccaneers (7-7); 11. Panthers (5-9); 12. Falcons (4-9); 13. Cardinals (3-9-1); 14. Lions (3-10-1); 15. Redskins (3-11); 16. Giants (3-11)
The Bucs pushed the Lions further down in Week 15 but they already were eliminated from a wild card. The Panthers and Redskins, before losing again in Week 15, were eliminated from contention with their respective losses to the Falcons and the Packers in Week 14. The Lions, Falcons, Giants and Cardinals were eliminated with respective losses to the Bears, Saints, Packers and Rams in Week 13.