[ad_1]
-
Kevin SeifertNFL Nation
Week 12 put us at the top of the AFC and at the bottom of the NFC playoff playoff list, even as we wait for the first official 2018 playoff training. Do you think there are two NFC Eastern teams rank among the top six the Steelers have, at least for the moment, played their role after a first round.
Here is our weekly overview of what the post-season would look like if the season was over today.
AFC
The positive aspect of the wild defeat Monday night in Los Angeles: the Chiefs have a week off to rest, regroup and prepare for the race. Two of their last five games are against the Oakland Raiders (2-9), an important note since the Chiefs are fighting for home advantage in the playoffs.
Next up: at Oakland Raiders
All you need this week:
• Scores, highlights and more »
• Full calendar »| Full ranking »
• weekly leading statistics
• Update of the playoff image
• Injury tracker: who's in, out
More NFL coverage »
The defeat of the Steelers, combined with the help of the New York Jets, always cooperative, allowed the Patriots to regain their place in the first round. They will stay there even if the Houston Texans win Monday night, with the Patriots holding the tiebreaker face to face between the two teams.
Next up: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Texans face a hell of a game when the Tennessee Titans arrive in town Monday night. A win would allow the Texans to retain a two-game lead over the Colts of Indianapolis in South AFC and extend their lead over the Titans to three games with five games to play. However, a loss would reduce the gap between the three teams to one game. More importantly, the Titans would have the tiebreaker face to face if that came true.
Next up: vs. Tennessee Titans (Monday night)
It's fair to wonder if Ben Roethlisberger's Sunday interception, which marks a strong comeback against the Denver Broncos, will have the same impact as his Week 15 interception against the Patriots last week, costing a Steelers chance to retain the field advantage throughout the 2017 playoffs. Now, they will need help to win a first round. Their remaining schedule, especially against the Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints, does not bode well.
Next up: against the chargers of Los Angeles
1:41
ESPN Steelers reporter Jeremy Fowler describes the atmosphere in the locker room after four losses in a 24-17 loss to the Broncos.
The Chargers have returned on track with a dominant victory over the Arizona Cardinals and are now about to lock a blank card spot as a team can be. The ESPN football power rating gives them 93% chance to play in the playoffs. Their record is no worse than the Chiefs in the AFC West, but the FPI gives them only a 6.6% chance of playing in Kansas City.
Next up: vs. Bengals of Cincinnati
The consecutive wins with quarterback Lamar Jackson behind the center allowed the Ravens to over .500 and allowed them to keep the pace in the race with joker. For now, they are keeping the Colts 6-5 away because of a better record of the conference. Ravens coach John Harbaugh will not say if Jackson will keep his job back from Joe Flacco (hip), but his schedule is particularly difficult. It includes trips to Atlanta, Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers. The regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns is not a joke either.
Next up: at Atlanta Falcons
On the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (6-5), Tennessee Titans (5-5), Miami Dolphins (5-6), Cincinnati Bengals (5-6), Denver Broncos (5-6)
NFC
The Seahawks rose to 6-5 with a big win, while the Panthers struggled to stay in the playoff race. NFL Nation is diving into Week 12.
The latest news on all the big wounds of our NFL Nation reporters, including the prognosis of each player for the 13th week and more.
1 related
It is obvious that the Saints were the best team in the NFC since their win at Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. Now this is reflected in the standings, thanks to Thursday's victory over the Atlanta Falcons combined with the Rams' farewells. The Saints can impose themselves against their opponents in the field by imposing, no matter what the Rams do, thanks to their breakage of equality. In the short term, they could win the NFC South Cup as early as next week if they beat the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night and the Carolina Panthers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next up: at the Dallas Cowboys (Thursday night)
The Rams were close to winning the NFC West during their break week, which has not happened since the start of the current playoff format in 2002. But the Seattle Seahawks have stayed alive in the division with a final victory for the last time. Panthers A division title is only a matter of time. The Rams have more than one game to play against a team with a winning record (Week 14 at the Chicago Bears). But because of the tiebreak, they will need the help of the Saints to win the national championship advantage.
Next up: Detroit Lions (Week 13)
You were wrong if you thought the Bears might stumble last Thursday on an extremely short week and without a starting quarterback. A 23-16 win against the Lions marked a milestone for the season, which gave NFC North three wins in 12 days. There are only two games remaining against teams with record wins, and the division title – the first since 2010 – is in sight. ESPN's REIT gives them an 80.5% chance of winning the North of the NFC and 95.3% chance of reaching the playoffs, regardless of Sunday's results.
Next up: at the Giants of New York
A third consecutive win, which coincides with the Redskins' third loss in four games, puts the Cowboys in first place in the NFC East for the moment. It will become more difficult in the 12th week, when the Cowboys will welcome the Saints. But if the fall of the Redskins continues and the Philadelphia Eagles fail to catch fire, will the Cowboys win the division by default?
Next up: Saints of New Orleans
0:46
Darren Woodson discusses the dynamics of the Cowboys' offensive and how the division is to win after Alex Smith's injury.
It was hard to imagine a way to the playoffs without a home win against an exhausted player. Green Bay Packers team. In this context, the Vikings won a victory that they had to win Sunday night. This allowed them to stay one step ahead of the rest of the NFC wild card array and at a close distance from the North Head NFC if the Bears collapsed in December. But they are on the verge of a tough schedule and they would do well to separate consecutive games on the road against playoff contenders on opposite sides.
Next up: at New England Patriots
The defeat of the Panthers on Sunday raised the Redskins in the card race. They have the tiebreaker against the Panthers and have a better conference record than the Seahawks. It is more than fair to wonder if the Redskins can keep this place. Colt McCoy, for his part, had no confidence in the loss last Thursday against the Cowboys, which allows him to drive this team in the playoffs.
Next up: to the Philadelphia Eagles
On the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (6-5), Carolina Panthers (6-5), Philadelphia Eagles (5-6), Green Bay Packers (4-6-1), Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Source link
