NFL Playoff Picture Week 13: Latest AFC, NFC Standings and Bracket Scenarios

Week 13 is jampacked with games that are significant to the AFC and NFC playoff races.

Thursday night's clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks is the first of those contests.

Dallas is the clear favorite to land the No. 5 seed in the NFC, while Seattle is in desperate need of a win to avoid opening up the competition for the final two wild-card spots even further than it already is.

The top two teams in the NFC play each other in Sunday's marquee game, and the third-place team will try to bounce back in a tough road environment.

All eyes in the AFC will be on the Houston Texans' home clash with the Denver Broncos that will shape which direction the wild-card race goes over the final few weeks of the regular season.

AFC Playoff Picture

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 26: Devin Singletary #26 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Division Leaders

1. Baltimore (9-3)

2. Kansas City (8-3)

3. Jacksonville (8-3)

4. Miami (8-3)

Wild-Card Race

5. Pittsburgh (7-4)

6. Cleveland (7-4)

7. Indianapolis (6-5)

8. Houston (6-5)

9. Denver (6-5)

10. Buffalo (6-6)

11. Cincinnati (5-6)

12. Las Vegas (5-7)

Denver and Houston play in the Week 13 main event in the AFC.

Each team sits at 6-5 on the wrong end of a tiebreaker with the Indianapolis Colts in the race for the No. 7 seed.

The Denver-Houston will take over the final wild-card position if the Colts somehow stumble on the road against the Tennessee Titans.

Indianapolis needs a win to remain in a playoff position for another week thanks to a superior conference record over both teams and a head-to-head win over Houston.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are expected to remain one game ahead of the chasing groups with victories over the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams.

Cleveland's margin for error is much smaller, though, since it could start Joe Flacco at quarterback.

The Browns still have one of the best defenses in the NFL and that unit will be the reason why they win a majority of their games late in the season.

The home-field advantage competition will be front and center in primetime. The Kansas City Chiefs visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night and the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

Both No. 1 seed contenders are expected to win, as are the Miami Dolphins against the Washington Commanders.

That would create a four-way tie at 9-3 with the Baltimore Ravens, who are one of six teams on bye in Week 13.

Kansas City owns head-to-head wins over Jacksonville and Miami, and it has the best conference record among the four teams, so it would top the AFC if it wins on Sunday.

NFC Playoff Picture

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) blocks during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Division Leaders

1. Philadelphia (10-1)

2. San Francisco (8-3)

3. Detroit (8-3)

4. Atlanta (5-6)

Wild-Card Race

5. Dallas (8-3)

6. Seattle (6-5)

7. Minnesota (6-6)

8. Green Bay (5-6)

9. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)

10. New Orleans (5-6)

11. Tampa Bay (4-7)

The NFC wild-card race has the potential to get really interesting over the next few weeks.

That is dependent on Seattle's result against Dallas on Thursday night.

A Seahawks loss would put them and the Minnesota Vikings, who are on a bye, at 6-6 and in a vulnerable position if any of the teams beneath them go on a run.

All three 5-6 wild-card chasers host playoff teams on Sunday. Green Bay plays Kansas City, the Rams host Cleveland and the Saints face the Lions.

The Seahawks and Vikings will be rooting for the Chiefs, Browns and Lions so that they hold a one-game edge over the field with one fewer week left on the schedule.

Seattle needs a win the most of the wild-card group since it has to play the San Francisco 49ers for the second time in three weeks in Week 14.

A three-game losing skid with defeats to the 49ers and Cowboys could derail Seattle's season.

Dallas should be affected by a loss since it enters Thursday with a two-game edge over Seattle.

There will be no change at the top of the NFC after Week 13 since the Philadelphia Eagles hold a two-game edge on the 49ers.

The best the 49ers can do is move within one game of the Eagles with a win on Sunday. A loss would basically doom them to fight for the No. 2 seed with the Lions for the rest of the regular season.