Week 14 in the NFL is done and with three weeks remaining in the 2019 regular season, the NFL playoff picture is coming together quickly based on the current AFC and NFC standings.
Here is an updated look at what each conference field would look like now, what teams are still in contention and what teams should already be thinking about the offseason:
MORE: Clinching scenarios for Week 14
NFL standings for Week 14
AFC playoff picture
Who would be in?
1. Ravens, first place, AFC North (11-2) — The Ravens clinched a playoff spot by beating the Bills while the Texans lost to the Broncos, and they got closer to the division title (up three wins on Pittsburgh with three to play). Baltimore stays No. 1 heading into Week 15, now with a one-game lead in addition to its head-to-head tiebreaker over New England. Up next: vs. Jets
2. Patriots, first place, AFC East (10-3) — The Patriots are still here after losing to the Ravens, Texans and Chiefs, the latter at home in Week 14. The good news is they have a very easy schedule with which to at least secure this spot and a first-round bye in the playoffs, and stay ahead of the Bills in the division. Up next: at Bengals
3. Chiefs, champions, AFC West (9-4) — The Chiefs got a huge road win over the Patriots that locked down the division title with the Raiders losing. They put pressure on the Patriots for No. 2 and jumped the Texans, to whom they lost, into be stronger No. 3 seed. Up next: vs. Broncos
4. Texans, first place, AFC South (8-5) — The Texans lost ground to the Ravens, to whom they lost, and the Chiefs, a team they beat, with a shocking home loss to the Broncos in Week 14. The division race against Titans got tighter, too; Houston is now up by only the divison-record tiebreaker. The Texans are fortunate the Colts also lost. Up next: at Titans
5. Bills, second place, AFC East (9-4) — The Bills cooled off with their home loss to the Ravens, but they are still well-positioned to earn a wild-card spot. They get the team directly behind them in Week 15, another tough AFC North foe. Up next: at Steelers
6. Steelers, second place, AFC North (8-5) — The Steelers stayed here after taking care of the lowly Cardinals on the road. They hold the tiebreaker over the Titans for the second wild card because of a better conference record. They can move up to No. 5 in Week 15. Up next: vs. Bills
Who can get there?
7. Titans (8-5); 8. Browns (6-7); 9. Raiders (6-7); 10. Colts (6-7); 11. Broncos (5-8)
The Titans jumped ahead of the Colts by beating them in Indianapolis in Week 13 and then pushed the Raiders down in Week 14. The Browns won to jump the losing Colts and Raiders in Week 14, but all of those teams are still long shots. The Broncos need to win out and get a ton of help to get in.
Who's out?
12. Chargers (5-8); 13. Jets (5-8); 14. Jaguars (4-9); 15. Dolphins (3-10); 16. Bengals (1-12)
The Jaguars were eliminated by their loss to the Chargers, who also were eliminated by the Steelers' win. The Jets were eliminated by both the Steelers and Titans winning, despite beating the Dolphins. The Dolphins were eliminated in Week 13. The Bengals are still headed for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
NFC playoff picture
Who would be in?
1. 49ers, first place, NFC West (11-2) — The 49ers got another much-needed NFC win, this time in New Orleans, to take back the lead in the division by a full game over the Seahawks and with it, the pole position in the conference. They also have a key win over the Packers. Up next: vs. Falcons
2. Packers, first place, NFC North (10-3) — The Packers maintained their one-game and head-to-head-tiebreaker lead over the Vikings in the division by beating the Redskins. They jumped the losing Saints for No. 2 thanks to a better conference record. Up next: vs. Bears
3. Saints, champions, NFC South (10-3) — The Saints lost a heartbreaking home shootout to the 49ers, which really hurts their chances for both the top seed and at least a first-round bye. They will look to get back on track against a reeling AFC South foe in Week 15. Up next: vs. Colts
4. Cowboys, first place, NFC East (6-7) — The Cowboys have dropped three in a row, but they stay in first place going into Week 15 despite the 6-7 Eagles rallying to win in overtime on Monday night, as they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. With no wild-card fallback, the Cowboys probably need to win out to win the division again. Up next: vs. Rams
5. Seahawks, second place, NFC West (10-3) — The Seahawks failed to win Sunday night to jump back ahead of the 49ers, whom they beat on the road, They still stay here over the Vikings, whom they beat in Week 13. Up next: at Panthers
6. Vikings, second place, NFC North (9-4) — The Vikings took care of business against the lowly Lions to keep pace with the Packers and, just as important, dampen the hopes of the Rams and the Bears behind them in the wild-card race. Up next: at Chargers
Who can get there?
7. Rams (8-5); 8. Bears (7-6); 9. Eagles (6-7)
The Rams' win over the Seahawks moved them back within a game of the Vikings for the final wild-card spot and they're a game and a head-to-head tiebreaker up on the Bears, too. The Eagles' playoff chances are down to winning the NFC East over the Cowboys.
IYER: How Bears can return to playoffs as a wild card
Who's out?
10. Buccaneers (6-7); 11. Panthers (5-8); 12. Falcons (4-9); 13. Cardinals (3-9-1); 14. Lions (3-9-1); 15. Redskins (3-10); 16. Giants (2-11)
The Panthers and Redskins were eliminated from contention with their respective losses to the Falcons and the Packers in Week 14. The Lions, Falcons, Giants and Cardinals were eliminated with respective losses to the Bears, Saints, Packers and Rams in Week 13.
