We're in Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season now, which means we are coming up on the true midway point of this campaign. The haves are being separated from the have-nots by more and more each week, and time is running out for teams that are lagging behind to start making their run back into the playoff race.
As of today, here's how the NFL playoff picture looks, as well as a snapshot of some games that could potentially impact what it looks like next week and beyond:
Who's in from the AFC
- East: New England Patriots (6-1)
- North: Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
- South: Houston Texans (4-3)
- West: Oakland Raiders (5-2)
- Wild card: Denver Broncos (5-2), Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)
Who's out in the AFC
- East: Buffalo Bills (4-3), Miami Dolphins (3-4), New York Jets (1-6)
- North: Baltimore Ravens (3-4), Cincinnati Bengals (3-4), Cleveland Browns (0-7)
- South: Tennessee Titans (4-3), Indianapolis Colts (3-4), Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)
- West: San Diego Chargers (3-4)
Who's in from the NFC
- East: Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
- North: Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
- South: Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
- West: Seattle Seahawks (4-1-1)
- Wild card: Green Bay Packers (4-2), Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Who's out in the NFC
- East: Washington Redskins (4-3), New York Giants (4-3)
- North: Detroit Lions (4-3), Chicago Bears (1-6)
- South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3), New Orleans Saints (2-4), Carolina Panthers (1-6)
- West: Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1), Los Angeles Rams (3-4), San Francisco 49ers (1-6)
Games to watch in Week 8
Week 8 features two games where both teams currently occupy playoff spots. Both games feature two teams from the NFC. There's a divisional battle on "Sunday Night Football" and a late-afternoon game between the NFC South leader and one of the wild card teams.
- Packers at Falcons -- 4:25 p.m. ET
- Eagles at Cowboys -- 8:30 p.m. ET ("Sunday Night Football")
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will look to keep their offensive rolling in Atlanta. Rodgers had a sparkling second half against the Bears on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 7, and lucky for him he squares off with an Atlanta defense that hasn't exactly put up much resistance against opposing quarterbacks. The Falcons have allowed the third-most passing yards in the league and rank 26th in opponents' quarterback rating.
The Sunday night game will of course be billed as a showdown of rookie quarterbacks as Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott meet for the first time, but the game will likely be decided by the battle in the trenches between the Dallas offensive line and Philadelphia's front seven. If the Cowboys can get Ezekiel Elliott going in the manner they have the last few weeks, it may not matter what Wentz or Prescott do with their chances.
Week 8 also features four games where both teams are within a game of a playoff spot, all in the early Sunday slot.
- Chiefs at Colts -- 1 p.m. ET
- Raiders at Buccaneers -- 1 p.m. ET
- Lions at Texans -- 1 p.m. ET
- Patriots at Bills -- 1 p.m. ET
Sure, the Colts are only within a game of a playoff spot because they have the fortune of playing in the decrepit AFC South, but that still counts. They'll try to keep Andrew Luck upright against a Chiefs pass rush that has been surprisingly toothless this season.
The AFC West-leading Raiders travel across the country to take on Jacquizz Rodgers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Jazquizz Rodgers!) Oakland has been better on the road than at home this season, but has been vulnerable against the run. They'll have to keep Rodgers in check in order for their explosive offense to go to work against Tampa's small secondary.
The Lions are getting Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron back this week, just in time for a matchup with the Texans. Brock Osweiler needs to get back on track soon if the Texans want to hold onto their AFC South lead.
And the Patriots will take on the Bills for the second time this season, only now Tom Brady is back. Rex Ryan's bunch shut out the Patriots the last time these two teams played (Jacoby Brissett was at quarterback a week after tearing a ligament in his thumb), so you can bet Bill Belichick will want to put a ton of points on the board.
