NFL 2022 playoff picture, standings: Lions with path to postseason in wild NFC; Patriots grab AFC's No. 7 seed
A look at the NFL standings after the Week 14 games
By
Jeff Kerr
•
9 min read
The NFC East is the only division in football where every team has a winning record (entering Monday), so naturally all four teams are set up to play in the NFC playoffs. The New York Giants and Washington Commanders have a huge showdown coming in the NFC wild card race, something the Detroit Lions will be monitoring closely.
Yes, the Lions have an outside shot at the playoffs at 6-7, thanks to the recent free fall by the Giants (7-5-1) and Seahawks (7-6). With the Giants playing the Commanders (7-5-1), and the Seahawks playing the 49ers -- the Lions could be on the doorstep of making the playoffs for the first time in six years.
In the AFC, the wild card race is heating up with the Los Angeles Chargers beating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night. The New York Jets are currently on the outside looking in and the New England Patriots made the puzzle more complex with a win against the Arizona Cardinals Monday.
Below, you can find a division-by-division breakdown of the current standings and what each contender is facing on their schedule the rest of the way.
AFC East
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 132 | |
8 | 5 | 0 | .615 | 4 | |
| Patriots | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 37 |
Jets | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 21 |
Buffalo Bills
What to know: The Bills still hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC and have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs. They can take full control of the AFC East with a win over the Dolphins Saturday.
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Bears, at Bengals, vs. Patriots
Miami Dolphins
What to know: Miami is the No. 6 seed in the AFC and has a one-game lead over Los Angeles and New York for the final playoff spot in the conference. The Chargers hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Dolphins should it come to that.
Remaining schedule: at Bills, vs. Packers, at Patriots, vs. Jets
New England Patriots
What to know: The Patriots have the No. 7 seed in the AFC with Monday's win over the Cardinals, thanks to the conference record tiebreaker over the Chargers. The Jets are also 7-6, but the Patriots have the head-to-head and division record tiebreaker over New York.
Remaining schedule: at Raiders, vs. Bengals, vs. Dolphins, at Bills
New York Jets
What to know: The Jets are the No. 9 seed in the AFC playoffs, losing a tiebreaker over the Chargers based on Los Angeles having a better win percentage in conference games and the Patriots having a better head-to-head record. All three teams are tied at 7-6.
Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, vs. Jaguars, at Seahawks, at Dolphins
AFC North
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 51 | |
9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 70 | |
5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | -23 | |
5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | -66 |
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens remain in first in the AFC North and the No. 3 seed in the conference, thanks to their head-to-head win over the Bengals. Baltimore is one game back of Buffalo and Kansas City for the No. 1 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Browns, vs. Falcons, vs. Steelers, at Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
What to know: The Bengals are the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff standings, losing the head-to-head tiebreaker for the diviison lead. Cincinnati is up two games on the final playoff spot.
Remaining schedule: at Buccaneers, at Patriots, vs. Bills, vs. Ravens
Cleveland Browns
What to know: The Browns are the No. 12 seed in the AFC and are two games out of the final playoff spot. Cleveland loses a conference record tiebreaker to Jacksonville and Las Vegas, but has a head-to-head tiebreaker over Pittsburgh. All four teams are 5-8.
Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, vs. Saints, at Commanders, at Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
What to know: The Steelers are the No. 13 seed in the AFC, two games out of the final playoff spot. A 2-7 conference record and head-to-head loss to Cleveland eliminates any tiebreaker advantages.
Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Ravens, vs. Browns
AFC South
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | -35 | |
Jaguars | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | 0 |
4 | 8 | 1 | .346 | -89 | |
e- Texans | 1 | 11 | 1 | .115 | -103 |
e - eliminated from playoffs
Tennessee Titans
What to know: The Titans still have command of the AFC South and are in firm position of the No. 4 seed in the AFC. They have a two-game lead over the Jaguars in the division.
Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Texans, vs. Cowboys, at Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: The Jaguars are two games behind the Titans for the AFC South lead and two games out of the final wild card spot. The No. 9 seed in the AFC, Jacksonville holds a conference record tiebreaker over Las Vegas and Cleveland.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys, at Jets, at Texans, vs. Titans
Indianapolis Colts
What to know: The Colts are the No. 14 seed in the conference. They had a bye this past week and sit 2.5 games out of the final playoff spot.
Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Chargers, at Giants, vs. Texans
Houston Texans
What to know: The Texans are eliminated from playoff contention and have the worst record in the NFL.
Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, at Titans, vs. Jaguars, at Colts
AFC West
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 86 | |
7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | -31 | |
Raiders | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | -5 |
e- Broncos | 3 | 10 | 0 | .231 | -44 |
e - eliminated from playoffs
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs are the No. 2 seed in the AFC and can clinch the AFC West with a win next week or a Chargers loss. The Bills have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs.
Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Seahawks, vs. Broncos, at Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
What to know: The Chargers are the No. 8 seed in the AFC since the Patriots have a better conference record. Both teams are tied at 7-6 with the Jets for the final playoff spot.
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Rams, at Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders
What to know: The Raiders are the No. 11 seed in the AFC, losing the conference record tiebreaker to the Jaguars but having the tiebreaker over the Browns. Las Vegas is two games out of the final playoff spot.
Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Steelers, vs. 49ers, vs. Chiefs
Denver Broncos
What to know: The Broncos have been eliminated from the playoffs with their Week 14 loss to the Chiefs. The Seahawks own their top draft pick, too.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, at Rams, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers
NFC East
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
x- Eagles | 12 | 1 | 0 | .923 | 138 |
Cowboys | 10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | 131 |
Commanders | 7 | 5 | 1 | .577 | -3 |
Giants | 7 | 5 | 1 | .577 | -33 |
x- clinched playoff spot
Philadelphia Eagles
What to know: The Eagles clinched a playoff berth and are two games up on the Vikings in the race for home-field advantage in the NFC, and up two games in the NFC East race. Philadelphia also holds the head-to-head tiebreakers over both. The Eagles can clinch the No. 1 seed with wins in their next two games.
Remaining schedule: at Bears, at Cowboys, vs. Saints, vs. Giants
Dallas Cowboys
What to know: The Cowboys are locked in as the No. 5 seed in the NFC, two games behind Philadelphia for the division lead. Dallas needs to win its next two games to have a shot at the division.
Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, vs. Eagles, at Titans, at Commanders
Washington Commanders
What to know: The Commanders have the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs based on having a better division record than the Giants. Washington hosts New York coming off its bye next week.
Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, at 49ers, vs. Browns, vs. Cowboys
New York Giants
What to know: The Giants are the No. 7 seed in the NFC, thanks to the Seahawks loss. Washington holds the division record tiebreaker over New York for the No. 6 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Commanders, at Vikings, vs. Colts, at Eagles
NFC North
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 0 | .769 | -1 | |
Lions | 6 | 7 | 0 | .462 | +2 |
Packers | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | -39 |
e-Bears | 3 | 10 | 0 | .231 | -63 |
e - eliminated from playoffs
Minnesota Vikings
What to know: The Vikings fall two games behind the Eagles in the race for home field in the NFC, but can still clinch the division with a win or a Lions loss in Week 15.
Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, vs. Giants, at Packers, at Bears
Detroit Lions
What to know: The Lions are the No. 9 seed in the NFC, 1.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the conference.
Remaining schedule: at Jets, at Panthers, vs. Bears, at Packers
Green Bay Packers
What to know: The Packers had a bye this week and are the No. 10 seed in the NFC. Green Bay has a strength of victory tiebreaker over Carolina, which has the division record tiebreaker over Atlanta.
Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Vikings, vs. Lions
Chicago Bears
What to know: The Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention. They have the worst record in the NFC.
Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, vs. Bills, at Lions, vs. Vikings
NFC South
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | 7 | 0 | .462 | -30 | |
Panthers | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | -30 |
Falcons | 5 | 8 | 0 | .385 | -24 |
Saints | 4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | -32 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What to know: The Buccaneers still lead the NFC South by a game with the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Falcons, but lose the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Panthers.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, at Cardinals, vs. Panthers, at Falcons
Carolina Panthers
What to know: The Panthers are one game behind the Buccaneers for the division lead and own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Carolina owns a division record tiebreaker over Atlanta.
Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, vs. Lions, at Buccaneers, at Saints
Atlanta Falcons
What to know: The Falcons are one game out of the division lead, but the Buccaneers own the head-to-head tiebreaker over them. Carolina owns the division record tiebreaker over Atlanta.
Remaining schedule: at Saints, at Ravens, vs. Cardinals, vs. Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints
What to know: The Saints are two games out of the NFC South and coming off a bye. They were also swept by the Buccaneers and have a 1-3 division record.
Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Browns, at Eagles, vs. Panthers
NFC West
| W | L | T | PCT | DIFF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
49ers | 9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 120 |
Seahawks | 7 | 6 | 0 | .538 | 8 |
4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | -71 | |
4 | 9 | 0 | .308 | -78 |
San Francisco 49ers
What to know: The 49ers are up two games in the NFC West with an opportunity to clinch the division this week with a win over the Seahawks. San Francisco is one game behind Minnesota for the No. 2 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, vs. Commanders, at Raiders, vs. Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
What to know: The Seahawks are the No. 8 seed in the NFC after their loss to the Panthers. Seattle needs to beat San Francisco to stay in the NFC West race.
Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, at Chiefs, vs. Jets, vs. Rams
Arizona Cardinals
What to know: Arizona is currently the No. 13 seed in the NFC, 3.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the NFC.
Remaining schedule: at Broncos, vs. Buccaneers, at Falcons, at 49ers
Los Angeles Rams
What to know: The Rams are the No. 15 seed in the NFC and on the verge of playoff elimination.
Remaining schedule: at Packers, vs. Broncos, at Chargers, at Seahawks
