The Chiefs’ post-season hopes are getting darker

In the AFC, fans have long guessed The Kansas City Chiefs would figure things out and storming their way to the NFL playoffs. The team lost again in Week 14, and the hole they dug themselves into is starting to look too deep to climb out of.

In the NFC, the No. 1 seed is a revolving door all the time. The The Chicago Bears lost their spot at the top of the conference after losing to the Green Bay Packers, but it’s the Los Angeles Rams who are currently slated for a first-round bye. So how does the NFL playoff picture stack up in Week 15?

AFC table

1. Denver Broncos, 11-2, AFC West
2. New England Patriots, 11-2, AFC East
3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9-4, AFC South
4. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7-6, AFC North
5. Los Angeles Chargers, 9-4, AFC West
6. Buffalo Bills, 9-4, AFC East
7. Houston Texans, 8-5, AFC South
8. Indianapolis Colts, 8-5, AFC South
9. Baltimore Ravens, 6-7, AFC North
10. Kansas City Chiefs, 6-7, AFC West
11. Miami Dolphins 6-7, AFC East
12. Cincinnati Bengals, 4-9, AFC North
13. New York Jets, 3-10, AFC East
14. Cleveland Browns, 3-10, AFC North
15. Las Vegas Raiders, 2-11, AFC West
16. Tennessee Titans, 2-11, AFC South

NFC order

1. Los Angeles Rams, 10-3, NFC West
2. Green Bay Packers, 9-3-1, NFC North
3. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-5, NFC East
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-6, NFC South
5. Seattle Seahawks, 10-3, NFC West
6. San Francisco 49ers, 9-4, NFC West
7. Chicago Bears, 9-4, NFC North
8. Detroit Lions, 8-5, NFC North
9. Carolina Panthers, 7-6, NFC South
10. Dallas Cowboys, 6-6-1, NFC East
11. Minnesota Vikings, 5-8, NFC North
12. Atlanta Falcons, 4-9, NFC South
13. Arizona Cardinals, 3-10, NFC West
14. New Orleans Saints, 3-10, NFC South
15. Washington Commanders, 3-10, NFC East
16. New York Giants, 2-11, NFC East

AFC Playoff Teams

The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are on a killer streak. Both teams have won 10 straight games, largely thanks to the success of their second-year quarterbacks. Drake May is one of the leading MVP candidates and Bo Nix has the ultimate clutch gene and continues to allow his team to win close games. Denver’s defense is also elite, especially when it comes to getting the quarterback. The team tries to break all-time sack record in one season. The Patriots will hope to be refreshed and healthier upon returning from their Week 14 bye.

Both the Broncos and Patriots being seeded one and two late in the season would be a surprise to many before the season begins. The same can be said for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are in third place. Despite Brian Thomas Jr.’s underwhelming season and Travis Hunter sidelined with injury, the Jaguars continue to win. They are elite in running and in attack and defense. The current leader of the fourth division in the AFC is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh defeated the Baltimore Ravens in a game that will play a huge role in who wins the AFC North, even though the two teams play each other again in the regular season finale.

The Wild Card teams, as of now, are the Los Angeles Chargers, the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans. Omarion Hampton’s return already proved to be key for the Chargers in their Monday Night Football win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Kimani Vidal did manage that play on the ground, and quarterback Justin Herbert was perhaps the most important ball carrier.

The Bills won a snow game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills thrive in cold weather, and their offense was as explosive as ever despite the gloomy weather. Texans the defense is arguably the best in the NFL. They force opposing quarterbacks into terrible performances seemingly every week, and that extended to Patrick Mahomes last week. The Chiefs were in a scenario to win, and couldn’t do it because of Houston’s impressive defense.

AFC teams in the hunt

In Week 14, the Chiefs and Bengals lost. They still have a mathematical path to a playoff berth, but their losses in Week 14 may have been the nail in the coffin. The Indianapolis Colts are also on the wrong trend. Earlier this year, the Colts looked like the best team in football, which is why they went all-in trade for Sosa Gardner. The corner has since been injured, as well Daniel Jones, who is now out for the season with an Achilles injury. The Colts turn to Riley Leonard and maybe Philip Rivers, who is coming out of retirement at the age of 44.

The Ravens and Miami Dolphins are also in the playoff hunt. Just a month ago, there were rumors that it was The Dolphins had to fire Mike McDaniel. They have now won four straight games. Lamar Jackson has struggled a lot since returning from injury, but no one would be surprised if he puts things together and leads the Ravens to the playoffs. The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans have already been eliminated from postseason contention.

NFC playoff teams

A week ago, the Bears were the best team in the NFC. They are now barely hanging on for the last Wild Card spot. The Rams topped the team as NFC kings. Puka Natsu have a big game almost every week and Matthew Stafford is in charge odds on MVP favorite. Los Angeles scored 45 points in the last game.

The two seat in the NFC belongs to the Green Bay Packers. The team is loaded with weapons on offense. Christian Watson started the season on injured reserve, but has been a nightmare in recent weeks. The defending champion Eagles have lost three straight games. Their loss in Week 14 was even more heartbreaking because it came in overtime.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed to pull away from the pack. At 7-6 they still lead the NFC South but have the same record as the Carolina Panthers. The current Wild Card teams consist of two teams from the West, the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, as well as the Bears. Jakon Smith-Njigba is having one of his best receiving seasons ever for Seattle.

NFC teams in the hunt

The NFC West currently has three teams slated for the postseason. That means he’ll likely be the odd man out in a stacked NFC North. As of now, it’s the Detroit Lions. The Lions’ offense is terrific, as evidenced by their 44-point Thanksgiving victory, highlighted by Jahmir Gibbs’ three goals. The team also tends to give up high scores.

The same can be said for the Dallas Cowboys, the team Detroit beat on Thanksgiving. Dallas’ receiving duo of Siddy Lamb and George Pickens is elite, but the defense couldn’t keep up. Lamb suffered a concussion against the Lions, but reports suggest he might be a good fit for their Week 15 game.

The Panthers and Buccaneers have the same record, and the two teams have yet to meet. How Carolina performs in those divisional games will likely dictate whether or not they make the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings are also technically in the playoff hunt, though the odds are stacked against them. The good news is that they won the last game 31-0 and JJ McCarthy looked much better than in previous weeks. The Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders and New York Giants have already been eliminated.