Even as we wind down the regular season, the NFL postseason picture still looks a bit wacky, and this could be one of the more competitive seasons the league has seen in quite some time. Some of the 'regulars' in the playoffs still have to do a ton of work to get it, let alone win their division.
It's definitely going to be a high-stakes regular season as it slowly closes out. We're now approaching Week 13 action and have a trio of Thanksgiving Day games to look at, and all of them will have playoff implications, which just goes to show you how awesome this year has been.
Approaching Week 13, let's dive into the complete NFL Playoff Picture.
Complete NFL Playoff Picture approaching Week 13 action
AFC Playoff Picture
Bye: (1) New England Patriots
The New England Patriots became the first team to 10 wins this year and would get the bye if these standings held. They'd also receive homefield advantage throughout the entire playoffs.
(7) Buffalo Bills @ (2) Denver Broncos
A rematch of one of the AFC Wild Card matchups last year, the Denver Broncos would host the Buffalo Bills, but Denver is clearly the better team this year and would probably be able to take care of business against Buffalo, as the Bills simply do not have a ton of roster talent.
(6) Jacksonville Jaguars @ (3) Indianapolis Colts
An AFC South Wild Card showdown, the frisky Jags and high-powered Colts would face off. The Jags could keep it close, but Indy has too many viable weapons to lose this game
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have clawed their way back into the mix and would host the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round. Both LA and Baltimore are flawed, so this game could come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes.
NFC Playoff Picture
Bye: (1) Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are the best team in football and are the first seed in the NFC right now. The would have the bye and homefield advantage. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is also playing the best football of his career and is absolutely the MVP of the league at this moment. What can't the Rams do?
(7) San Francisco 49ers @ (2) Philadelphia Eagles
I am not sure the Philadelphia Eagles have it in them this year to get back to the Super Bowl. Things are disjointed on offense, and the defense doesn't have much of a pass rush. The San Francisco 49ers shouldn't be too tough of a matchup, but things would be a lot different in the Divisional Round.
The Niners have struggled with injuries this year and are somehow 8-4. Both Brock Purdy and Mac Jones have started multiple games for this team. The Niners would likely be one-and-done in the playoffs.
(6) Green Bay Packers @ (3) Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears would win the NFC North right now, but I am not sure this team is quite there yet. Chicago is very good, but the close games could indicate that the Bears can't really 'bury' opponents, and the Green Bay Packers are more battle-tested. In this potential matchup, I would actually take the Packers.
But Chicago being 8-3 is super impressive. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has done a marvelous job thus far.
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the more balanced teams in the NFL and would probably blowout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa has struggled this year, as the defense isn't very good, and we're beginning to see some of these injuries mount.
Seattle would take care of business and advance to the Divisional Round if this matchup held up.