NFL Playoffs 2023-24: AFC and NFC Predictions for Postseason

Ever found yourself staring an abstract artwork and struggling to understand what it means?

Well, that's sort of how it feels to take a snap shot of the NFL standings right now. The Week 14 schedule isn't even finished, and the top seed in each conference has already changed hands—and the AFC's No. 1 spot might shift again on Monday night.

Everything is as clear as mud at the moment, forcing fans and analysts to pretend to be mathematicians while crunching the numbers to break apart ties involving more teams than you can count on one hand. Still, this congestion will eventually be cleared up, so after updating the league standings, we'll predict how things will take shape in each conference.

Current Playoff Picture

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

American Football Conference

Division Leaders

1. Baltimore (10-3)

2. Miami (9-3)

3. Kansas City (8-5)

4. Jacksonville (8-5)

Wild Card Race

5. Cleveland (8-5)

6. Pittsburgh (7-6)

7. Indianapolis (7-6)

8. Houston (7-6)

9. Denver (7-6)

10. Cincinnati (7-6)

11. Buffalo (7-6)

National Football Conference

Division Leaders

1. San Francisco (10-3)

2. Dallas (10-3)

3. Detroit (9-4)

4. Tampa Bay (6-7)

Wild-Card Race

5. Philadelphia (10-3)

6. Minnesota (7-6)

7. Green Bay (6-6)

8. Los Angeles Rams (6-7)

9. Seattle (6-7)

10. Atlanta (6-7)

11. New Orleans (6-7)

AFC Predictions

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 10: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

There's a good chance the Dolphins reclaim lead of the AFC on Monday night. That's when they'll host a Titans team that has dropped four of their last five and six of their last eight.

There's also a good chance—at least in our eyes—that it won't be enough to stay in front of the Ravens. Not when Baltimore is set to host a head-to-head face-off between these teams in Week 17. And certainly not when Miami, which also has Dallas and Buffalo on its remaining schedule, has struggled to beat good teams all season.

The Ravens don't always win pretty—they needed a walk-off, overtime punt return touchdown to knock off the Rams on Sunday—but they do have a ferocious defense and one of the league's most dynamic playmakers in Lamar Jackson. That should be just enough for them to fend off the competition and wind up with the No. 1 seed.

The Dolphins won't slip farther than No. 2, though, and the Chiefs and Jaguars will manage to hold down the Nos. 3 and 4 spots, respectively. Kansas City has some issues, but it closes with a soft schedule. Jacksonville should fend off its AFC South competition, especially with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud now in concussion protocol.

You could flip a few coins to find the final three playoff teams, but our crystal ball backs the Browns, Steelers and Bills.

NFC Predictions

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the first quarter in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The 49ers continue distancing themselves from their injury-impacted three-game losing streak that spanned Weeks 6, 7 and 8. After resetting during their Week 9 bye, they've won five consecutive contests, each decided by 12-plus points.

Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level, the playmakers around him are all humming and this defense is one of the stingiest you'll find. All arrows point toward San Francisco surging into the postseason as the NFC's top seed.

Philadelphia theoretically should have a clear path to the No. 2 spot, as it can pad its division and conference record over the coming weeks with two games against the Giants and another versus the Cardinals left on the schedule. But a Week 15 road stop in Seattle on Monday night could spell the Eagles' demise, dropping them to the No. 5 seed and allowing Dallas, which is also getting MVP play from its quarterback (Dak Prescott), to snag the second seed.

The Lions have no major threat for the No. 3 seed, so that's where we'd slot them. The No. 4 seed goes to whoever wins the NFC South, which may not take a .500-plus record to do so. We'll back the Buccaneers, who have a disruptive defense and a red-hot running back in Rachaad White, who's had triple-digit scrimmage yards in three consecutive outings.

As for those final two playoff spots, we see the Packers and Rams emerging from this congested race.