NFL playoff picture shifts after week 11: updated AFC and NFC standings

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• AFC playoff landscape after Week 11
  • Teams still chasing AFC berths
  • Bottom of the AFC standings
• NFC playoff picture and momentum shifts
  • Contenders still in the NFC mix
  • Teams near the draft lottery

After Week 11, the NFL playoff race is tightening fast. Teams across both conferences jockey for seeding as contenders and dark horses emerge in the push toward Super Bowl 60. Here’s a refreshed look at which 14 clubs currently project into the postseason picture, and how tiebreakers and recent results are reshaping the road to the playoffs.

AFC playoff landscape after Week 11

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1. 1. Denver Broncos 9-2 (AFC West leader)

   Denver’s defensive win over Kansas City vaulted the Broncos into the top AFC seed. They hold a multi-game lead in the division.

2. 2. New England Patriots 9-2 (AFC East leader)

   New England extended its streak to eight wins with a Thursday-night victory over the Jets. The Patriots match Denver in record but lead on conference play.

3. 3. Indianapolis Colts 8-2 (AFC South leader)

   The Colts were idle in Week 11. Their 6-1 AFC mark and head-to-head win over Denver keep them in the top-tier seeding race.

4. 4. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-4 (AFC North leader)

   Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati and kept a slim lead in the North. The Steelers remain a game clear of the Ravens.

5. 5. Buffalo Bills 7-3 (wild-card leader, AFC East)

   Buffalo answered with a big home win on Sunday and moved into the top wild-card slot. They sit behind New England in the division race.

6. 6. Los Angeles Chargers 7-4 (AFC West, wild card)

   The Chargers’ loss in Jacksonville set them back in the West and dropped them behind the Bills for now.

7. 7. Jacksonville Jaguars 6-4 (AFC South, wild card)

   Jacksonville’s win over the Chargers boosted their standing. They hold a tiebreaker over Kansas City from an earlier head-to-head victory.

Teams still chasing AFC berths

• 8. Houston Texans 5-5 — Conference record gives them an edge in tiebreak scenarios.
• 9. Kansas City Chiefs 5-5 — A loss at Denver hurt seed hopes and created a conference-record disadvantage versus Houston.
• 10. Baltimore Ravens 4-5 — Still within striking distance, but recent losses have tightened their margin for error.
• 11. Miami Dolphins 4-7 — Long odds, but still mathematically alive with games to play.
• 12. Cincinnati Bengals 3-7 — Playoff chances shrinking after another tough stretch.

Bottom of the AFC standings

• 13. Las Vegas Raiders 2-8
• 14. New York Jets 2-8
• 15. Cleveland Browns 2-8
• 16. Tennessee Titans 1-9 — The Titans remain at the league’s low mark after Week 11.

NFC playoff picture and momentum shifts

1. 1. Philadelphia Eagles 8-2 (NFC East leader)

   The Eagles’ defense stifled Detroit on Sunday night, returning Philadelphia to the top NFC seed on tiebreakers.

2. 2. Los Angeles Rams 8-2 (NFC West leader)

   Los Angeles outlasted Seattle and sits a game clear in the West. The Rams trail the Eagles on tiebreakers.

3. 3. Chicago Bears 7-3 (NFC North leader)

   Chicago rallied in Minnesota and moved ahead of Detroit. The Bears lead the division by a half-game.

4. 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-4 (NFC South leader)

   Tampa Bay lost a tough road test to Buffalo and now clings to a narrow lead in the South.

5. 5. Seattle Seahawks 7-3 (NFC West, wild card)

   Seattle fell short in Los Angeles. The Seahawks remain a game behind the Rams and try to hold their wild-card spot.

6. 6. Green Bay Packers 6-3-1 (NFC North, wild card)

   Green Bay snapped a two-game slide with a late comeback. They remain key players in the North and wild-card race.

7. 7. San Francisco 49ers 7-4 (NFC West, wild card)

   Brock Purdy’s return sparked San Francisco. The 49ers climbed back into the playoff mix after Sunday’s win.

Contenders still in the NFC mix

• 8. Detroit Lions 6-4 — Dropped from the top seed after a Sunday-night setback.
• 9. Carolina Panthers 6-5 — Poised to challenge Tampa Bay for the South if they keep winning.
• 10. Dallas Cowboys 4-5-1 — Long shots for now, but games remain to play.
• 11. Minnesota Vikings 4-6 — Early losses have them on the ropes in a crowded North.
• 12. Arizona Cardinals 3-7 — Slim playoff hope after another loss.
• 13. Atlanta Falcons 3-7 — Playoff chances fading with inconsistent form.
• 14. Washington Commanders 3-8 — A steep climb remains to reach contention.

Teams near the draft lottery

• 15. New Orleans Saints 2-8
• 16. New York Giants 2-9