The NFL playoffs standings for the Week 15 NFL schedule have the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers as the top seeds in the AFC and NFC. Both teams have clinched division titles and this week a number of teams can clinch spots, including the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings.
The AFC playoff picture has the Patriots in the first seed in the conference and right now the team has the advantage over the Bengals and Broncos heading into Week 15. The Patriots came into last week third in the conference, but after a win against the Texans and losses by the Broncos and Bengals, New England now has a clear path to the number one seed.
The Patriots come into the weekend with an 11-2 record and a gimme game against the Titans and they can take the top seed in the AFC if they win out.
Check here for the NFL playoff standings and schedule.
The AFC playoff picture has the Patriots in control, as they are the top seed at 11-2 on the season after winning over the Texans. The Bengals and Broncos both lost over the weekend and now they are both 10-3, but those teams also play each other in Week 16, meaning someone is going to get knocked out of that second top spot. The Broncos, Bengals and Colts are the other division leaders, while the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets are in wild card position.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in position to try and get a wild card spot, as the Chiefs, Jets and Steelers are all 8-5 heading into the weekend. The Bengals also have to keep an eye on the Steelers until they clinch the AFC North after Pittsburgh won over Cincinnati last weekend. The AFC South is still up for grabs with the Colts and Texans at 6-7 and those teams will be playing this weekend and the winner likely will take the division.
The Carolina Panthers are the top seed in the NFC coming into the weekend and they have a lead over the 11-2 Cardinals, who have also clinched a playoff spot. The Panthers are the top seed ahead of the Cardinals, Packers and Redskins as the other division leaders. The Seahawks and the Vikings are the wild card teams coming into the weekend and they have a lead over the Falcons, Buccaneers and Eagles, who will need help to get one of those spots.
The NFC East is a three way race with the Redskins, Eagles and Giants all 6-7 on the season. The Redskins currently have the tiebreaker, but the team plays the Eagles before the season ends and that leaves an opening for the other teams. The Giants have a tough schedule with the Panthers, Vikings and Eagles left and that could make it very hard for the team to get into the playoffs. If the Redskins lose to the Eagles and both Philadelphia and New York win out into Week 17, the final game between the Eagles and Giants will be for the division title in the NFC East.