NFL Playoff Picture: Updated standings after Week 11

Here’s an updated look at the 2018 NFL playoff picture now that Week 11 is over and there are only six games remaining for every team.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Top six seeds

1 - Philadelphia Eagles: 9-1 overall, 7-0 conference

2 - Minnesota Vikings: 8-2 overall, 6-1 conference (direct tie-breaker over Saints)

3 - New Orleans Saints: 8-2 overall, 6-1 conference

4 - Los Angeles Rams: 7-3 overall, 4-3 conference

5 - Carolina Panthers: 7-3 overall, 4-3 conference

6 - Atlanta Falcons: 6-4 overall, 5-1 conference

In the hunt

7 - Detroit Lions: 6-4 overall, 5-3 conference

8 - Seattle Seahawks: 6-4 overall, 4-3 conference

9 - Green Bay Packers: 5-5 overall, 4-4 conference (direct tie-breaker over Cowboys)

10 - Dallas Cowboys: 5-5 overall, 4-4 conference

11 - Washington Redskins: 4-6 overall, 3-5 conference

12 - Arizona Cardinals: 4-6 overall, 3-5 conference

13 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-6 overall, 2-4 conference

Analysis

The Eagles are at the top of the conference with a 9-1 record. They’ll have a chance to maintain their lead with a home game against the 3-7 Chicago Bears this week. Philly’s magic number to clinch the NFC East is three, so it looks like it’s only a matter of time until they’ll do that. They’ll need to keep winning in order to secure that No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

The Vikings and Saints are currently the biggest threats to the Eagles. Minnesota plays the Lions in Detroit this week. They already lost to the Lions earlier this season. A Detroit win would be nice for Philly. As for New Orleans, they play the Rams in L.A. It’d be nice if the Rams won that one, but Los Angeles losing wouldn’t be the worst thing.

The Eagles already have a direct tie-breaker over the Panthers so they’re not much of a threat. Carolina has been inconsistent anyway.

The Falcons moved into the sixth seed after defeating the Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Seattle’s secondary is depleted after losing Richard Shermand and Kam Chancellor for the season. Russell Wilson is still dangerous, but he can’t make up for all of their weaknesses. Atlanta won in unimpressive fashion since they almost choked a lead but Blair Walsh choked harder on a 52-yard field goal attempt that fell short.

The Lions have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league so they could very well sneak in for a wild card spot, or even take the NFC North lead if the Vikings slip up down the stretch.

The Packers are bound to continue to lose with Brett Hundley quarterback.

Washington and Dallas are still in the hunt. The Cowboys are dealing with some key absences, though, and Dak Prescott has failed to step up in the face of adversity. Washington also lost their best offensive weapon, Chris Thompson, for the season.

Arizona and Tampa Bay are long shots here.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Top six seeds

1 - Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-2 overall, 6-1 conference

2 - New England Patriots: 8-2 overall, 5-1 conference

3 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-3 overall, 7-2 conference

4 - Kansas City Chiefs: 6-4 overall, 4-2 conference

5 - Tennessee Titans: 6-4 overall, 5-4 conference

6 - Baltimore Ravens: 5-5 overall, 4-3 conference

In the hunt

7 - Buffalo Bills: 5-5 overall, 3-3 conference

8 - Miami Dolphins: 4-6 overall, 3-3 conference

9 - New York Jets: 4-6 overall, 4-4 conference

10 - Cincinnati Bengals: 4-6 overall, 4-5 conference

11 - Houston Texans: 4-6 overall, 3-4 conference

12 - Los Angeles Chargers: 4-6 overall, 3-5 conference

13 - Oakland Raiders: 4-6 overall, 4-5 conference

Analysis

Since this is an Eagles blog, I’m not going to get deep into AFC playoff picture analysis here. Just posting these standings to give you an idea of who the Eagles might play in the Super Bowl this year.