NFL Playoff Picture: Updated standings after Week 15

Here’s an updated look at the 2018 NFL playoff picture now that Week 15 is over and there are only two games remaining for every team.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Top six seeds

1 - Philadelphia Eagles: 12-2 overall, 10-1 conference

2 - Minnesota Vikings: 11-3 overall, 8-2 conference

3 - Los Angeles Rams: 10-4 overall, 7-4 conference (direct tie-breaker over NO)

4 - New Orleans Saints: 10-4 overall, 7-3 conference (direct tie-breaker over CAR)

5 - Carolina Panthers: 10-4 overall, 6-4 conference

6 - Atlanta Falcons: 9-5 overall, 8-2 conference

In the hunt

7 - Detroit Lions: 8-6 overall, 7-4 conference

8 - Seattle Seahawks: 8-6 overall, 6-4 conference (strength of victory tie-breaker over DAL)

9 - Dallas Cowboys: 8-6 overall, 6-4 conference

ANALYSIS

I already offered some thoughts on every NFC team in the playoff picture yesterday. Here are some new thoughts following the results of Monday Night Football.

By beating the Buccaneers, the Falcons managed to maintain their one game lead over the rest of the teams chasing them. Atlanta holds a direct tie-breaker over all of Detroit/Seattle/Dallas, so they have that going for them. What’s tough for the Falcons is they have to play in New Orleans this week before hosting Carolina in Week 17.

The Packers have officially been eliminated from the playoff picture as a result of the Falcons’. This means there will be no Aaron Rodgers in the post-season, which is a good thing for the Eagles. The bad news is that Green Bay will likely shut down Rodgers for the season, which means it’s unlikely the Packers will beat the Vikings on Saturday this week. Minnesota losing would’ve allowed the Eagles to clinch the No. 1 overall seed before even playing the Raiders on Monday night.

The Cowboys’ slim playoff odds got even slimmer with Atlanta’s victory.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Top six seeds

1 - New England Patriots: 11-3 overall, 8-2 conference (direct tie-breaker over PIT)

2 - Pittsburgh Steelers: 11-3 overall, 8-3 conference

3 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 10-4 overall, 9-2 conference

4 - Kansas City Chiefs: 8-6 overall, 6-4 conference (ahead of TEN due to being division leader)

5 - Tennessee Titans: 8-6 overall, 7-4 conference

6 - Buffalo Bills: 8-6 overall, 6-4 conference (strength of victory tie-breaker over BAL)

In the hunt

7 - Baltimore Ravens: 8-6 overall, 6-4 conference

8 - Los Angeles Chargers: 7-7 overall, 4-6 conference

9 - Oakland Raiders: 6-8 overall, 5-6 conference (direct tie-breaker over MIA)

10 - Miami Dolphins: 6-8 overall, 5-5 conference