Are you ready? The scenarios surrounding which teams would make the playoffs if the season ended today are about as confusing as it gets. From the six teams that are tied with a 7-5 record in the AFC to the complete mess at the bottom of the NFC Playoff standings, there is almost too much to comprehend here.
Don’t fret, we spent the better part of the last year (sarcasm) figuring out the playoff scenarios heading into Week 14.
So here goes.
NFC
In the Playoffs
| Team | Record | Upcoming Game |
| Arizona Cardinals | 9-3 | VS- Chiefs |
| Green Bay Packers | 9-3 | VS- Falcons |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 9-3 | VS- Seahawks |
| Atlanta Falcons | 5-7 | AT- Packers |
| Seattle Seahawks | 8-4 | AT- Eagles |
| Detroit Lions | 8-4 | VS- Buccaneers |
* Arizona holds the tiebreaker over Green Bay based on better conference record.
* Arizona also holds the tiebreaker over Philadelphia based on head-to-head victory.
* Green Bay hold tiebreaker over Philadelphia based on head-to-head victory.
* In a three-way tie, Seattle holds the tiebreaker over Detroit based on records against similar opponents. Detroit then holds the tiebreaker over Dallas based on better record in conference games. In this three-way tie scenario, Dallas’ head-to-head win against Seattle cannot be factored in.
* Atlanta holds tiebreaker over New Orleans in the NFC South based on head-to-head victory.
In the Hunt
| Team | Record | Upcoming Game |
| Dallas Cowboys | 8-4 | AT- Bears |
| San Francisco 49ers | 7-5 | AT- Raiders |
| New Orleans Saints | 5-7 | VS- Panthers |
* New York Giants and Washington Redskins eliminated from playoff contention.
* San Francisco would hold a two-way tiebreaker over Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
If the Playoffs Started Today (Bye Week: Arizona and Green Bay)
Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
AFC
In the Playoffs
| Team | Record | Upcoming Game |
| New England Patriots | 9-3 | AT- Chargers |
| Denver Broncos | 9-3 | VS- Bills |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 8-3-1 | VS- Steelers |
| Indianapolis Colts | 8-4 | AT- Browns |
| San Diego Chargers | 8-4 | VS- Patriots |
| Miami Dolphins | 7-5 | VS- Ravens |
* Indianapolis can clinch the AFC South with a win over the Browns and a Texans loss to the Jaguars.
* New England holds tiebreaker over Denver based on head-to-head victory.
* Miami holds tiebreakers over Kansas City and Baltimore based on better record in conference games.
* Miami also holds tiebreaker over Buffalo based on better record in division games.
* Miami also holds tiebreaker over Pittsburgh and Cleveland based on Baltimore’s record against those two teams. And as mentioned before, Miami holds tiebreaker against Baltimore based on better record in conference games. So in reality, Baltimore’s record against Pittsburgh and Cleveland eliminates those two from the tiebreaker conversation at this point.
Confused yet? Just wait.
In the Hunt
| Team | Record | Upcoming Game |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 7-5 | AT- Cardinals |
| Buffalo Bills | 7-5 | VS- Broncos |
| Baltimore Ravens | 7-5 | AT- Dolphins |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-5 | AT- Bengals |
| Cleveland Browns | 7-5 | VS- Indianapolis |
| Houston Texans | 6-6 | AT- Jaguars |
* New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders eliminated from playoff contention.
* Kansas City wins tiebreaker over Buffalo and Baltimore based on its record in conference games. Division records were used to eliminate Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
* Buffalo wins tiebreaker over Baltimore based on its record in conference games. Division records were used to eliminate Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
* Baltimore wins tiebreaker over Pittsburgh and Cleveland based on head-to-head records.
* Pittsburgh wins tiebreaker over Cleveland based on win percentage against like opponents.
If the Playoffs Started Today (Bye Week: New England and Denver)
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals
San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts
For a full explanation of tiebreaker scenarios, check out this link.
Thanks to Niners Nation for providing the aforementioned link.
Photo: USA Today