NFL Playoff Picture - Week 14: Postseason seeds, projected draft order
NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LVI.
AFC| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patriots | East | 9-4 |
| 2 | Titans | South | 9-4 |
| 3 | Chiefs | West | 9-4 |
| 4 | Ravens | North | 8-5 |
| 5 | Chargers | West | 8-5 |
| 6 | Colts | South | 7-6 |
| 7 | Bills | East | 7-6 |
The Patriots held on to the AFC's top spot during their bye week, though the Titans and Chiefs kept pace with their Week 14 victories. Winners of six in a row, Kansas City also has a pivotal Thursday night matchup lined up with the Chargers this week.
Meanwhile, the Ravens slipped into the No. 4 seed following a loss to the Cleveland Browns, while the Bills are clinging on to the last spot after a second straight loss.
In the hunt| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Browns | North | 7-6 |
| 9 | Bengals | North | 7-6 |
| 10 | Broncos | West | 7-6 |
| 11 | Steelers | North | 6-6-1 |
| 12 | Raiders | West | 6-7 |
| 13 | Dolphins | East | 6-7 |
The wild-card race continues to heat up as five teams in the conference depart Week 14 with a 7-6 record. The Browns took the biggest step forward with a win over the Ravens, keeping them in striking zone for a wild-card spot and the AFC North.
The playoff picture should get more clarity following Week 15, which includes matchups between the Raiders-Browns, Titans-Steelers, Patriots-Colts, and Bengals-Broncos.
NFC| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | West | 10-2 |
| 2 | Packers | North | 10-3 |
| 3 | Buccaneers | South | 10-3 |
| 4 | Cowboys | East | 9-4 |
| 5 | Rams | West | 8-4 |
| 6 | 49ers | West | 7-6 |
| 7 | Washington | East | 6-7 |
The Packers took the No. 2 seed over the Buccaneers by virtue of having a better conference record and can even claim the top spot with some help Monday. Should the Cardinals lose to the Rams in prime time, not only would Green Bay move atop the NFC but Arizona would also fall to third.
Washington clawed its way back into a playoff spot after winning four in a row but a loss to the Cowboys leaves the club in chase mode. Ron Rivera's side won't have it easy if they want an invite to the postseason dance. The club's last four opponents are all divisional foes, with three of the four matchups coming on the road.
In the hunt| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Vikings | North | 6-7 |
| 9 | Eagles | East | 6-7 |
| 10 | Falcons | South | 6-7 |
| 11 | Saints | South | 6-7 |
| 12 | Panthers | South | 5-8 |
The Vikings, Falcons, and Saints didn't lose ground this week after winning their respective matchups. However, the same can't be said for the Panthers, who have struggled with Cam Newton under center and have now lost three of their last four.
Projected NFL draft order| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lions |
| 2 | Jaguars |
| 3 | Texans |
| 4 | Jets |
| 5 | Giants (via Bears) |
| 6 | Giants |
| 7 | Jets (via Seahawks) |
| 8 | Panthers |
| 9 | Falcons |
| 10 | Eagles (via Dolphins) |
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