NFL Playoff Picture 2022-23: Updated AFC, NFC Standings After Week 13 SNF
Week 13 of the NFL season is in the books, and the playoff picture has come a little more into focus as a result.
In the NFC, a intra-division tie at 20 between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders made that conference's playoff picture a little more interesting near the bubble. If the season ended today, both would make it into the playoffs.
Another division clash between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears saw the Packers, who were at one point down 10-0, hang on to come back and win 28-19 to keep their playoff hopes (barely) alive.
The Minnesota Vikings could have clinched the NFC North title Sunday with a win and a Detroit Lions loss or tie, and though Minnesota did its part with a 27-22 win over the New York Jets, the Lions destroyed the Jacksonville Jaguars 40-14 to thwart Minnesota's plans.
The Philadelphia Eagles could have become the NFL's first team to clinch a playoff berth in Week 13, given that the Commanders tied, but they needed the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks lose. That wasn't the case, as those teams defeated the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams 33-17 and 27-23, respectively.
By defeating the Rams, the Seahawks moved ahead of the Commanders in the NFC.
In the late afternoon games, the 49ers' win over the Dolphins sent Miami a game behind Buffalo, and with the Cincinnati Bengals' 27-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills moved into first place in the AFC standings, the most significant shakeup of the day.
The Houston Texans have the undesirable distinction of being the first team this season to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
The Ravens' lead in the AFC North was looking to be in jeopardy when they lost Lamar Jackson to a knee injury, but behind backup Tyler Huntley, they hung on for a narrow 10-9 victory over the Denver Broncos.
With their blowout Sunday Night Football win 54-19 over the Indianapolis Colts, the Dallas Cowboys remain 1.5 games behind the Eagles in the NFC with the top wild card spot.
Let's take a look at the AFC and NFC standings after the conclusion of Sunday Night Football.
AFC Standings
1. Philadelphia Eagles, 11-1
2. Minnesota Vikings, 10-2
3. San Francisco 49ers, 8-4
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5-6
5. Dallas Cowboys, 9-3
6. New York Giants 7-4-1
7. Seattle Seahawks, 7-5
8. Washington Commanders, 7-5-1
9. Detroit Lions, 5-7
10. Green Bay Packers, 5-8
11. Atlanta Falcons 5-8
12. Arizona Cardinals, 4-8
13. Carolina Panthers, 4-8
14. New Orleans Saints, 4-8
15. Los Angeles Rams, 3-9
16. Chicago Bears, 3-10
If the season ended today, the seven AFC playoff berths would go to the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Titans, Bengals, Dolphins and Jets. The Patriots would be on the outside looking in, with the Chargers and Raiders next in line.
NFC Standings
1. Buffalo Bills, 9-3
2. Kansas City Chiefs, 9-3
3. Baltimore Ravens, 8-4
4. Tennessee Titans, 7-5
5. Cincinnati Bengals, 8-4
6. Miami Dolphins, 8-4
7. New York Jets, 7-5
8. New England Patriots, 6-6
9. Los Angeles Chargers, 6-6
10. Las Vegas Raiders, 5-7
11. Cleveland Browns, 5-7
12. Pittsburgh Steelers, 5-7
13. Indianapolis Colts, 4-8-1
14. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4-8
15. Denver Broncos, 3-9
16. Houston Texans, 1-10-1
If the season ended today, the seven NFC playoff berths would go to the Eagles, Vikings, 49ers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Giants and Seahawks. The Commanders are on the outside looking in, with the Lions and Packers on their heels.
