Team By Team NFL Playoff Scenarios Available After Week 14
The NFL season is heading into the fourth quarter and the playoff race is heating up. The current playoff picture in the NFL is pretty clear in the fact that certain teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Contenders and pretenders have differentiated themselves week after week, although some playoff spots may be decided in the final week of the regular season.
Current Teams Projected To Make The 2013 NFL Playoffs
Teams Currently In The 2013 NFL Playoff Hunt
In the NFC, the clear cut #1 seed is the Seattle Seahawks (11-1), who own a two game lead over New Orleans. New Orleans (9-3) currently sits atop the NFC South as the #2 seed, with Carolina in second with an identical record. New Orleans currently wins the tiebreaker over Carolina based on best win percentage in common games. The two NFC South teams meet twice in the next 3 weeks. The Detroit Lions (7-5) currently own the #3 seed with a one game lead over Chicago in the NFC North. The #4 seed is currently held by the Dallas Cowboys (7-5) and currently own the tie break over Philadelphia (7-5) in the NFC East. Carolina (9-3) and San Francisco (8-4) currently own the two wildcard spots. Among the teams still in contention are the Philadelphia Eagles at 7-5. The Eagles will play Dallas in the final regular season game in which could decide the NFC East division winner. The Arizona Cardinals are currently 7-5 and have 3 division games left, including San Francisco at home week 17. The Chicago Bears are currently 6-6 and are one game behind Detroit in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers (5-6-1) and New York Giants (5-7) can ill afford another loss, as they both will need to win out the rest of the way and need some help from other teams.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos (10-2) have a one game lead in the AFC West and own the #1 seed. The New England Patriots (9-3) own the #2 seed. Both the Patriots and broncos both have favorable schedules the rest of the way. Indianapolis can clinch the AFC South this weekend, and currently own the #3 seed. The Colts will play at Cincinnati this weekend, who currently owns the #4 seed. There is realistically only one real wildcard spot up for grabs. The Kansas City Chiefs won the #5 seed, and will realistically stay at that position barring a late season meltdown. There are a number of teams that are vying for the final wildcard spot. Baltimore (6-6) is currently the #6 seed. Among the teams in contention are Miami Dolphins at 6-6 who has a tough schedule ahead with Pittsburgh and New England. Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and New York all sit at 5-7 are still alive.