The NFL playoffs standings in the AFC and NFC are taking shape heading into Week 16 and with teams like the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos in as division leaders, wild card teams are trying to stay alive and the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Steelers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles all are in close postseason positions.
The Cowboys took the inside track to the AFC East division after winning over the Eagles on Sunday night, while the Lions and Packers are battling for the NFC North. Both of those teams likely will get in over the Eagles, as they each have one more win and have the inside track to either the north title or one of the wild card spots.
The NFC South is a mess of a division and right now the New Orleans Saints are 6-8 ahead of the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. The Arizona Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot and they are leading the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West by one game and those two teams play on Sunday night football. The winner of that game will have the edge in the division race and with the Cardinals down to Ryan Lindley they could be in trouble.
The AFC East has the Patriots in as division winners, while the Buffalo Bills are still alive for the playoffs race. The North is undecided with Cincinnati currently leading the Steelers and Ravens, while the Browns are now out of it. The Steelers and the Ravens have the chance to make the playoffs, while the Bengals have a tie that could help decide things.
The AFC South has the Indianapolis Colts in first place and the division winners and they will need some luck to get home field advantage over the Patriots or Broncos. The Broncos are in as AFC West champions and they lead the Chiefs and Chargers, who are both alive in the playoff race. The Cardinals currently lead the NFC, but the Lions, Packers, Seahawks and Cowboys all have the chance to win it.
The AFC playoff picture has the Steelers and Ravens in now, with the Chiefs, Chargers, Bills and Texans coming up behind in the standings. Houston and Miami are 7-7 along with Cleveland, while San Diego and Kansas City are both 8-6 this season. The Broncos and the Patriots each have 11 wins this season and New England has the inside track to home field advantage.
Check here for the NFL playoffs standings.
