The NFL playoffs standings heading into the Week 16 schedule has the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers as the top seeds in the AFC and NFC. The wild card races are nearly set, while the Panthers are looking to stay undefeated with a win over the Falcons on Sunday.
The AFC playoff picture has the Patriots leading at 12-2 this season and they are in position to get the top seed in the conference over the Bengals and Broncos. The Bengals have clinched a playoff spot and are playing the Broncos on Monday night football, which is a big game for the conference standings. The Texans are in the fourth seed as the AFC South leaders, while the Chiefs and Steelers are in wild card position.
The Panthers have clinched a first round bye and are 14-0 this season and now will face the Atlanta Falcons to see if they can improve to 15-0. The team is likely to get the top overall seed in the NFC and they have already clinched the NFC South, while the Arizona Cardinals are in the second seed and have clinched the NFC West. The Green Bay Packers have clinched a playoff spot and are leading the NFC North, while the Redskins can win the NFC East if they beat the Eagles Sunday.
The Seattle Seahawks are in the fifth spot as the first wild card and they have clinched a playoff spot, while the Vikings are in the second wild card spot. The NFC playoff picture is basically set, as the Falcons and the other teams chasing need some major help to catch the Vikings. The NFC East has the Redskins leading at 7-7 and if they win against the Eagles, they will clinch the title, as they have the tiebreakers over the Eagles and Giants.
The Bengals are close to clinching the AFC North at 11-3, but the Steelers remain alive for the moment at 9-5 and they are looking like one of the best teams in the conference. The Texans have control of the AFC South after winning over the Colts, but if they lose the Colts could get back into things. The Broncos have not yet clinched a playoff spot after losing to the Steelers and they are just one game ahead of the Chiefs, who have won eight games in a row.
