The 2022 NFL season is past halftime. Although the playoff picture for AFC and NFC won’t be complete until Week 18, it’s another good time to check out the updated standings and which teams would be in the playoffs if the season ends now.
Here’s a breakdown of the NFL’s latest playoff field and seedings, while also looking at contenders poised to join the potential postseason party:
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NFL rankings for week 10
AFC playoff image
1. Buffalo Bills (6-2), first place, AFC North. The Bills have some concerns here in the conference and division with the Chiefs they beat and the Dolphins and Jets they lost to hot on their heels. There are also concerns now about the health of essential QB Josh Allen and his sore elbow ahead of a tough game against the Vikings.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2), first place, AFC West. The Chiefs lost to the Bills but pulled off a huge overtime win over the AFC South-leading Titans in Week 9. They need to keep the momentum going and with a home win keep the pressure on the Bills and put the Jaguars more distance between them and the Ravens.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-3), first place, AFC North. The Ravens once again reign supreme in their division thanks to a home win over the Bengals. They still have a lot of work to do with the Bengals straight away. They needed to be happy about the Titans’ loss to get up here ahead of their Week 9 win over the Saints. They’ve also lost to the Bills in the past. You enjoy a reunion.
4. Tennessee Titans (5-3), first place, AFC South The Titans saw their five-game winning streak in Week 9 from the Chiefs after also losing to the Bills in Week 2. They fell a half game behind the Ravens in Week 9 but can return to No. 3 with a win over the Broncos that would take their conference record to 5-2.
5. New York Jets (6-3), second place, AFC East. The Jets have the best wild card spot because they shockingly defeated the Bills in Week 9 and earlier in the season they also defeated the Dolphins. Robert Saleh’s team can look forward to a bye to end their surprising year on a strong note.
6. Miami Dolphins (6-3), Third Place, AFC East. The Dolphins also beat the Bills but lost to the Jets. They’re looking good for a wild card again, having started 3-0 and then falling to 3-3. They can overtake the Jets by half a game by beating the Browns.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3), second place, AFC West. The Chargers stayed in position despite all their injuries, with their unique record coming from a Week 8 bye. They need to get hot with Justin Herbert to stay here in the second half and it helps to beat the Falcons outright in Week 9. The 49ers present a tough challenge on Sunday night.
Who’s on the hunt?
8. New England Patriots (5-4), Third Place, AFC East
9. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4), second place, AFC North
10. Indianapolis Colts (3-5-1), second place, AFC South
11. Cleveland Browns (3-5), Third Place, AFC North
12. Denver Broncos (3-5), Third Place, AFC West
Still the reigning AFC champions, the Bengals are obviously the team to watch the most. The Patriots are ahead of them, however, because they have the superior conference record, 4-2 to 2-3. The Colts are hoping for a Jeff Saturday spark in Las Vegas. The Browns and Broncos are in tough situations against the Dolphins and Titans, respectively, this week.
Who is likely outside?
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6), last place, AFC South
14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6), last place, AFC West
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6), last place, AFC North
16. Houston Texans (1-6-1), last place, AFC South
The Raiders and Jaguars had some early prospects but that quickly faded, with the latter beating the former in Week 9. The Steelers accept their first losing season under Mike Tomlin. The Texans should be targeting the top draft pick.
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NFC playoff image
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-0), first place, NFC East. The Eagles gained a two-game lead in the division after their bye, with the Cowboys and Giants both suffering two losses. They can quickly rise to victory in the East and, in doing so, become the No. 1 seed and playoff home field advantage. The biggest remaining question might be whether they go unbeaten after a perfect first half.
2. Minnesota Vikings (7-1), first place, NFC North. The Vikings’ only loss was acceptable when they lost to the Eagles in Week 2 in Philadelphia. They are 4.5 games ahead of the Packers, who they defeated in Minnesota in Week 1. The Vikings are looking good to secure 2nd place on a favorable schedule while leading a weak division after rallying against the Commanders in Week 9, even with a loss in Buffalo.
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-3), first place, NFC West. The Seahawks surprise as just a 500+ man team, not to mention the division leaders. They amplified that surprise by finishing a Week 9 sweep against the Cardinals in Arizona. You should be most worried about the 49ers, who are just 1.5 games behind and beat them in Week 2 in San Francisco.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5), first place, NFC South. The Bucs are back where they should be leading their division thanks to victories over the Falcons and Saints. But they will work to become a bigger playoff threat and No. 3 in the second half after earning a much-needed miracle home win over the Rams in Week 9.
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-2) second place, NFC East. The Cowboys had their chance against the Eagles once and fell short in Philadelphia. They will have to wait until Christmas Eve for the rematch in Dallas. They’re looking good to be at least a top wildcard after beating the Giants. You can KO the Packers in Green Bay.
6. New York Giants (6-2), Third Place, NFC East. The Giants lost at the expense of the Seahawks and the Cowboys. They’re still looking good for a surprise wildcard with Brian Daboll for now, but watch out for the underperforming NFC forces behind them as they surge in the second half. They should up their chances with a post-bye win over the Texans.
7. San Francisco 49ers (4-4), second place, NFC West. The 49ers have a good chance of jumping up to third place by simply taking the West. With all due respect to Seattle, San Francisco should still be the favorite for the division after a Week 9 break. The 49ers offense should get rolling against the Chargers on Sunday night.
Who’s on the hunt?
8. Washington Commanders (4-5), fourth place, NFC East
9. Atlanta Falcons (4-6), second place, NFC South
10. Los Angeles Rams (3-5), Third Place, NFC West
11. Green Bay Packers (3-6), Third Place, NFC North
12. New Orleans Saints (3-6), Third Place, NFC South
13. Arizona Cardinals (3-6), last place, NFC West
14. Chicago Bears (3-6), Third Place, NFC North
The Falcons slipped quickly with their opening week 10 loss in Carolina. The Rams desperately need a win over the Cardinals to salvage their dwindling playoff hopes during a hung-over Super Bowl season.
Who is likely outside?
15. Carolina Panthers (3-7), last place, NFC South
16. Detroit Lions (2-6), last place, NFC North
Good for the Panthers beating the Falcons, but these cats are yet to find true franchise quarterbacks with their high-draft picks in 2023.