NFL playoff picture post-Week 12: Who's in good shape?
There are still five weeks left in the NFL regular season, but a postseason pecking order is beginning to take shape.
Here's how the playoff seeding looks after Week 12's action (with Sunday night's game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos to be determined).
AFC
1. New England Patriots (10-1): There's no confusion for the Patriots: Even after Sunday night's loss, the AFC playoffs will run through Foxborough, Mass. if New England runs the table.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (9-2): A first-round bye could go a long way toward helping Cincinnati end its seven-game postseason losing streak.
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3. Denver Broncos (9-2): A key victory on Sunday night strengthened the Broncos' standing for a bye, but as of now Denver loses out to Cincinnati on the conference percentage tiebreaker.
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4. Indianapolis Colts (6-5): A once-cushy division setup is now looking less comfortable for the Colts. The Texans also stand at 6-5, though Indianapolis holds the tiebreaker given its head-to-head advantage so far.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5): With a five-game winning streak going and a friendly schedule to finish the year, Kansas City is well positioned for a late-season surge. Kansas City holds the edge over the rest of the field for its record against AFC foes.
6. Houston Texans (6-5): Two playoff teams from the AFC South? The idea seemed unfathomable early in the season. But Houston, riding a four-game winning streak, would make the cut if the season ended today.
Next up: New York Jets (6-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), Oakland Raiders (5-6), Buffalo Bills (5-6)
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NFC
1. Carolina Panthers (11-0): They are in the driver's seat for home-field advantage. But with two showdowns with the Falcons remaining, they have not yet wrapped up the NFC South.
2. Arizona Cardinals (9-2): Bruce Arians' crew has the edge for a first-round bye. But with games against the Vikings, Packers and Seahawks remaining, they won't have much room for error.
3. Minnesota Vikings (8-3): The Vikings jump the Packers in the NFC North standings after Green Bay's loss to the Bears. But the division could come down to a Week 17 matchup at Lambeau Field.
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4. Washington Redskins (5-6): A winning record is not a prerequisite in the NFC East, with the sub-.500 Redskins and Giants leading the way. Washington holds the edge for now based on its divisional record, but plenty will be resolved in the final five weeks.
5. Green Bay Packers (7-4): An opportunity to seize control of the NFC North slipped away on Thanksgiving. Aaron Rodgers and Co. remain very much in the mix for the division, though.
6. Seattle Seahawks (6-5): Seattle's second-half push appears to be right on schedule, as the defending NFC champions are back in the playoff picture.
Next up: Atlanta Falcons (6-5), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6), New York Giants (5-6), Chicago Bears (5-6)
PHOTOS: Week 12 NFL action
