NFL 2023 playoff picture, standings in Week 15 Eagles, Cowboys clinch spot; Ravens seal first AFC berth
The NFL playoff races are as crazy and perplexing as ever, so this season's homestretch will probably live in our memories. The AFC had the most winning teams through Week 14 of any conference since 1970, with 11 teams having winning records and six with 7-6 records going into Week 15.
We will no longer be using divisions in the playoff rankings; instead, we will be using conferences going forward. The explanation of each team's tiebreaker is provided below.
Below is a summary of the current rankings and the challenges that each competitor must overcome as we move into Week 15.
AFC playoff picture
| SEED | TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | DIFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | yz-Ravens | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | +159 |
| 2 | y-Dolphins | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | +147 |
| 3 | y-Chiefs | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | +74 |
| 4 | y-Jaguars | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | +6 |
| 5 | x-Browns | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | +20 |
| 6 | x-Bengals | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | -4 |
| 7 | x-Colts | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | +1 |
| 8 | Texans | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | +11 |
| 9 | Bills | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | +125 |
| 10 | Steelers | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | -57 |
| 11 | Broncos | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | -47 |
| 12 | Raiders | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | -15 |
| 13 | Chargers | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | -42 |
| 14 | e-Titans | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | -44 |
| 15 | e-Jets | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | -86 |
| 16 | e-Patriots | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | -113 |
z-clinched playoff berth
x-current playoff team
y-division leader or clinched division
e-eliminated
Ravens of Baltimore
Important information: The Ravens are the top seed in the league and lead the AFC North by two games. If they prevail, they'll secure the top seed in the AFC.
Schedule remaining: at 49ers, against Dolphins, and against Steelers
Dolphins of Miami
What to know: Thanks to the Ravens' victory on Sunday night, Miami, who came into Week 15 as the second seed in the AFC, will stay there. In Week 17, the Dolphins take on the Ravens, and if they triumph, they secure the top seed.
Schedule remaining: at Ravens, against Cowboys, and against Bills
The Chiefs of Kansas City
What to know: Following their victory over the Patriots, the Chiefs now lead the AFC West by two games over the Broncos. They are two games behind the Ravens for the top slot as the No. 3 seed.
Schedule remaining: at Chargers, at Bengals, and against Raiders
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: Despite the setback, the Jaguars remain the AFC's fourth-seeded team. The Jaguars have the advantage in head-to-head tiebreakers over the Texans and Colts, even though they are tied for first place in the AFC South.
The remaining games are at Titans, against Panthers, and at Buccaneers.
Browns of Cleveland
Noteworthy: The Browns are ranked as the AFC's fifth seed. They lead the AFC North by two games and have an advantage over the final wild card place by one game.
Schedule remaining: Bengals, at Texans, and vs. Jets
Bengals of Cincinnati
Noteworthy: The Bengals' victory over the Vikings on Saturday has put them in the running for the postseason. For the No. 6 seed, they own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Colts and Bills.
Schedule remaining: Chiefs at home, Browns vs. Steelers
The Indianapolis Colts
What to know: The Colts, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Texans (No. 8) for the last playoff place, are the AFC's seventh-seeded team. In addition, the Colts have the conference-record tiebreaker against the Bills (No. 9) to secure the last postseason spot. Indianapolis and Cincinnati will square off in the head-to-head tiebreaker for the sixth seed.
Texans vs. Raiders, at the Falcons, and other games on the schedule
The Houston Texans
What to know: The Texans' victory over the Titans in overtime preserved their hopes of making the playoffs. After losing the head-to-head tiebreaker versus Indianapolis to secure the No. 7 seed, Houston is now ranked eighth. They are ahead of Buffalo (No. 9) in the conference record tiebreaker.
Schedule remaining: @Colts, @Titans, @Browns
The Buffalo Bills
What to know: The Bills, who are currently ranked ninth, defeated the Cowboys handily to maintain their prospects of making the playoffs. Buffalo loses to Houston (No. 8) and Indianapolis (No. 7) in the conference record tiebreaker as well as the head-to-head tiebreaker against Cincinnati (No. 6).
The remaining games are at the Chargers, Patriots, and Dolphins.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
What you should know: After losing a crucial game against the Colts on Saturday, the Steelers are currently on the outside looking in. They have the conference record tiebreaker over the Broncos and are ranked as the 10th seed.
Schedule remaining: at Seahawks, at Ravens, and at the Bengals
Denver Broncos
What to know: Following their Saturday loss to the Lions, the Broncos fell all the way to the No. 11 seed. They lose the conference record tiebreaker to the Steelers and are now one game out of the last playoff position.
The remaining games are at Raiders, Chargers, and Patriots.
The Raiders of Las Vegas
Important information: The Raiders are two games out of the AFC's last postseason place. They are the conference's No. 12 seed.
Schedule remaining: Colts at Chiefs, Broncos vs.
Chargers of Los Angeles
What to know: The Chargers are in danger of losing out on the playoffs after their Thursday loss to the Raiders.
Schedule remaining: @Bills, @Broncos, @Chiefs
Tennessee Titans
Noteworthy: The Titans' defeat to the Texans resulted in their elimination from the playoff race.
Schedule remaining: @Texans, @Jaguars, @Seahawks
Jets in New York
Noteworthy: The Jets' defeat against the Dolphins resulted in their elimination from the playoff race.
Schedule remaining: at Browns, at Patriots, and against Commanders
Patriots of New England
Noteworthy information: The Patriots are out of the running for the playoffs.
Schedule remaining: @Bills, @Brencos, @Jets
NFC playoff picture
| RANK | TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | DIFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | yz-49ers | 11 | 3 | 0 | .769 | +191 |
| 2 | yz-Eagles | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | +21 |
| 3 | y-Lions | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | +51 |
| 4 | y-Buccaneers | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | +6 |
| 5 | z-Cowboys | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | +167 |
| 6 | x-Vikings | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | +21 |
| 7 | x-Rams | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | +17 |
| 8 | Saints | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | +42 |
| 9 | Seahawks | 6 | 7 | 0 | .462 | -38 |
| 10 | Falcons | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | -20 |
| 11 | Packers | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | -1 |
| 12 | Giants | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | -149 |
| 13 | Bears | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | -42 |
| 14 | e-Commanders | 4 | 10 | 0 | .308 | -142 |
| 15 | e-Cardinals | 3 | 11 | 0 | .231 | -117 |
| 16 | e-Panthers | 2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | -142 |
z-clinched playoff berth
x-current playoff team
y-division leader or clinched division
e-eliminated
