NFL playoff standings: Bears advance to top spot in the NFC; 4 teams, including Raiders, knocked out of playoff race

The Chicago Bears have surged to the No. 1 seed in the NFC following the Los Angeles Rams' surprising loss to the Carolina Panthers. With the postseason race heating up, every game now has significant playoff implications. Here's a detailed look at the current NFL playoff landscape after Week 13:

NFC Standings

1. Chicago Bears (9-3)
   Next game: at Green Bay Packers, Week 14
   Odds: The Bears climbed to the top of the NFC after Carolina's upset over the Rams. Their victory over Philadelphia on Friday increased their NFC North title chances to 30% according to The Athletic's playoff simulator.
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
   Next game: at Arizona Cardinals, Week 14
   Odds: The Rams chances for the NFCs No. 1 seed fell to 42% after their defeat to Carolina, pushing them out of first place in the conference.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
   Next game: at Los Angeles Chargers, Week 14
   Odds: Despite maintaining a strong lead in the NFC East, back-to-back losses, including a defeat to the Bears, reduced their chances of claiming the top NFC seed to 10%.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
   Next game: at New Orleans Saints, Week 14
   Odds: Leading the NFC South comfortably, the Buccaneers hold a 73% probability of making the playoffs.
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
   Next game: at Atlanta Falcons, Week 14
   Odds: The Seahawks are nearly guaranteed a playoff berth (around 90%) but face stiff competition in the NFC West.
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
   Next game: vs. Chicago Bears, Week 14
   Odds: Favorites for the NFC North at 66%. Their upcoming clash with Chicago is critical.
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
   Next game: vs. Tennessee Titans, Week 15
   Odds: Strong playoff contenders with a 94% chance to advance.
8. Detroit Lions (7-5)
   Next game: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Week 14
   Odds: 42% chance of making the playoffs, but only 4% for a division title.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
   Next game: at Detroit Lions, Week 14
   Odds: 23% playoff probability (16% per NFL.com).
10. Carolina Panthers (7-6)
    Next game: at New Orleans Saints, Week 15
    Odds: 30% playoff probability, 28% for division title.

AFC Standings

1. New England Patriots (10-2)
   Next game: vs. New York Giants, Monday
   Odds: Leading the AFC East by 2.5 games, Patriots have a 93% chance to secure the division and a 61% shot at the No. 1 seed.
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
   Next game: at Washington Commanders, Sunday
   Odds: Strong favorites for the AFC West at 77%, with a 27% probability of claiming the conference's top seed.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
   Next game: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Week 14
   Odds: Leading the AFC South, with an 83% likelihood of reaching the playoffs.
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
   Next game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 14
   Odds: Despite recent losses, Baltimore tops their division and maintains a 71% playoff probability.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
   Next game: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Week 14
   Odds: 63% chance of making the postseason; only 18% chance to win the division.
6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
   Next game: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 14
   Odds: 69% playoff probability, trailing Jacksonville in the AFC South.
7. Buffalo Bills (8-4)
   Next game: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Week 14
   Odds: 89% chance to reach the playoffs, though division title hopes are slim at 9%.
8. Houston Texans (7-5)
   Next game: at Kansas City Chiefs, Week 14
   Odds: 61% playoff probability after a win over the Colts.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
   Next game: at Baltimore Ravens, Week 14
   Odds: Dropped to 28% chance of making the playoffs after recent loss.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
    Next game: vs. Houston Texans, Week 14
    Odds: Post-Thanksgiving defeat dropped playoff chances from 52% to 38%. Division hopes effectively over, 3.5 games behind Denver.

Teams Eliminated from Playoff Contention

• Tennessee Titans
• Arizona Cardinals
• New Orleans Saints
• Las Vegas Raiders

Author: Sophia Brooks