NFL Playoff Scenarios 2022-23: Standings, Matchups to Watch Entering Week 12

The second half of the 2022 NFL season is heating up, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape.

Here's a look at where things stand as we turn the page to Week 12, as well as matchups to keep an eye on.

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NFC

1. Philadelphia Eagles, 9-1

2. Minnesota Vikings, 8-2

3. San Francisco 49es, 6-4

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5-5

5. Dallas Cowboys, 7-3

6. New York Giants, 7-3

7. Seattle Seahawks, 6-4

8. Washington Commanders, 6-5

9. Atlanta Falcons, 5-6

10. Detroit Lions, 4-6

11. Green Bay Packers, 4-7

12. Arizona Cardinals, 4-7

13. New Orleans Saints, 4-7

14. Los Angeles Rams, 3-7

15. Carolina Panthers, 3-8

16. Chicago Bears, 3-8

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AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs, 8-2

2. Miami Dolphins, 7-3

3. Tennessee Titans, 7-3

4. Baltimore Ravens, 7-3

5. Buffalo Bills, 7-3

6. New England Patriots, 6-4

7. Cincinnati Bengals, 6-4

8. New York Jets, 6-4

9. Los Angeles Chargers, 5-5

10. Indianapolis Colts, 4-6-1

11. Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-7

12. Las Vegas Raiders, 3-7

13. Cleveland Browns, 3-7

14. Denver Broncos, 3-7

15. Pittsburgh Steelers, 3-7

16. Houston Texans, 1-8-1

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Projected NFC Matchups

Bye: Philadelphia Eagles

(2) Minnesota Vikings vs. (7) Seattle Seahawks

(3) San Francisco 49ers vs. (6) New York Giants

(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. (5) Dallas Cowboys

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Projected AFC Matchups

Bye: Kansas City Chiefs

(2) Miami Dolphins vs. (7) Cincinnati Bengals

(3) Tennessee Titans vs. (6) New England Patriots

(4) Baltimore Ravens vs. (5) Buffalo Bills

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The Dallas Cowboys opened some eyes Sunday, blowing out the Minnesota Vikings 40-3 to end the latter's seven-game winning streak. A resounding win over the second-best team in the NFC had Cowboys president Jerry Jones touting his team as a Super Bowl contender, and Dallas has the chance to further solidify itself as such in Week 12.

The Cowboys will host the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day in a crucial NFC East matchup. Both teams boast a 7-3 record, though New York is coming off a disappointing loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Dallas won the teams' first matchup in Week 3, putting pressure on the Giants to avoid a sweep.

The Vikings will play in the nightcap on Thanksgiving against the New England Patriots, who vaulted into the playoff picture with a gritty win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Minnesota has a comfortable lead in the NFC North as the only team in the division with a record above .400, but it will surely be looking for a better showing after the disheartening loss to Dallas.

In the AFC, the top matchup of the week will be the Tennessee Titans hosting the Cincinnati Bengals. After opening the season 0-2, the Bengals have won six of their last eight games, including their last two contests. The Titans have also won two straight (and seven of eight) and hold a commanding lead in the AFC South.

The top seed in each conference, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, will face a team outside of the playoff picture in the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers.