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While the AFC Playoff Picture remains murky, the NFC bracket is beginning to take shape.
The Cowboys and Seahawks became the first two teams to clinch playoff berths, as the teams in the NFC begin to separate with three games remaining. The Lions have crept up all the way to the second seed, and they bring a five game win streak to MetLife Stadium this week to play the Giants. A win would give Big Blue a better record than Detroit, but Dallas’ NFC East domination prevents the Giants from seeing anything better than the fourth seed.
The biggest games this week don’t affect the top of the playoff standings, but rather those on the outside looking in. One impact matchup will be in Minnesota, where the Vikings will
host the Colts. Both teams are one game away from the playoff picture, and the losing team on Sunday will likely be eliminated from contention.
For a full list of NFL tiebreaking procedures, click here.
Here’s how the playoff standings look right now:
AFC Seeding
The Division Leaders:
1. New England Patriots — 12-2
2. Oakland Raiders — 11-3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers — 9-5
4. Houston Texans — 8-6
The Wild Card Contenders:
5. Kansas City Chiefs — 10-4
6. Miami Dolphins — 10-5
7. Denver Broncos — 8-6
8. Baltimore Ravens — 8-6
9. Tennessee Titans — 7-7
*The Patriots have clinched the AFC East
**The Raiders have clinched a playoff berth
Potential Wild Card Matchups:
Dolphins at Steelers
Chiefs at Texans
NFC Seeding
The Division Leaders:
1. Dallas Cowboys — 12-2
2. Seattle Seahawks — 9-4-1
3. Detroit Lions — 9-5
4. Atlanta Falcons — 9-5
The Wild Card Contenders:
5. New York Giants — 10-4
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8-6
7. Washington Redskins — 7-5-1
8. Green Bay Packers — 8-6
9. Minnesota Vikings — 7-7
*The Seahawks have clinched the NFC West
**The Cowboys have clinched a playoff berth
Potential Wild Card Matchups:
Giants at Falcons
Buccaneers at Lions