NFL Playoff Picture Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Wild-Card Scenarios and Predictions
There are a lot of tight division races around the NFL at the moment. And surprisingly, the AFC West is among them.
Although the Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2023 season as the favorite to win the AFC West (and remain the favorite), they're 8-5 and have only a one-game lead over the surging Denver Broncos (7-6). Also, don't count out the Las Vegas Raiders, who improved to 6-8 with a resounding 63-21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.
A lot could change between now and the start of the NFL playoffs. Four weeks of regular-season play remain, and some high-stakes matchups will be taking place.
Here's a look at the current postseason picture for both conferences, along with predictions for how the playoff berths will shake out.
AFC Playoff Picture
1 of 4
Bye: No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (10-3)
No. 2 Miami Dolphins (9-4) vs. No. 7 Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) vs. No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) vs. No. 5 Cleveland Browns (8-5)
In the hunt: Houston Texans (7-6), Denver Broncos (7-6), Cincinnati Bengals (7-6), Buffalo Bills (7-6), Las Vegas Raiders (6-8), New York Jets (5-8), Tennessee Titans (5-8), Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
AFC Predictions
2 of 4
1. Kansas City
2. Jacksonville
3. Baltimore
4. Miami
5. Cleveland
6. Indianapolis
7. Denver
The Ravens may have been at No. 1 heading into Week 15, but they have plenty of challenges ahead. Over the next four weeks, Baltimore will take on four teams currently in playoff spots: Jacksonville, San Francisco, Miami and Pittsburgh.
So don't be surprised if the Ravens (who will be a legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl) don't end up getting the first-round bye. And like always, never count out the Chiefs.
Kansas City has a more favorable remaining schedule, as long as it can get back on track after losing four of its past six games. The Chiefs are set to play the Patriots, Raiders, Bengals and Chargers, a quartet of teams unlikely to get into the playoffs.
All four division leaders should hold onto their leads, though. The Jaguars and the Dolphins are the clear best teams in their divisions and should be hosting games in the Wild-Card Round.
The prediction here is that the three AFC wild-card teams will end up being Cleveland, Indianapolis and Denver. Of that trio, the Broncos could be the most dangerous squad.
Denver started the season 1-5, but it has since won six of its past seven games. The Broncos have a challenging road matchup vs. the Lions in Week 15. Then, they get lighter matchups against the Patriots, Chargers and Raiders the rest of the way.
The Browns and the Broncos each have veteran quarterbacks powering their offense (Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson, respectively), and that could help both finish the regular season strong and push their way into the playoffs.
NFC Playoff Picture
3 of 4
Bye: No. 1 San Francisco 49ers (10-3)
No. 2 Dallas Cowboys (10-3) vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers (6-7)
No. 3 Detroit Lions (9-4) vs. No. 6 Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles (10-3)
In the hunt: Los Angeles Rams (6-7), Seattle Seahawks (6-7), Atlanta Falcons (6-7), New Orleans Saints (6-7), New York Giants (5-8), Chicago Bears (5-8), Washington Commanders (4-9), Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
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NFC Predictions
4 of 4
1. San Francisco
2. Philadelphia
3. Detroit
4. New Orleans
5. Dallas
6. Green Bay
7. Seattle
The Cowboys may have defeated the Eagles in Week 14, but the latter could still end up as the NFC East champion. Both teams are 10-3, and Philadelphia has a light slate after its Week 15 road matchup vs. Seattle, as it will conclude the regular season with a pair of games vs. the Giants and another against the Cardinals.
Still, it won't be enough for the Eagles to overtake the 49ers for the top seed. San Francisco, which is the only team that has clinched a playoff berth, should continue to be dominant as it cruises to an NFC West title and a first-round bye for the postseason.
One of the more intriguing division races is taking place in the NFC South, where the Buccaneers, Falcons and Saints are all tied at 6-7. However, only one will end up getting into the playoffs, and that could end up being New Orleans.
The Saints have been inconsistent all year. But if they can establish some momentum heading into their matchups vs. the Bucs and Falcons in Weeks 17 and 18, they may capture their first division crown since the 2020 season.
The second-place NFC East team will surely be the top wild card. Then, the final two spots could go to the Packers and the Seahawks.
Green Bay has won three of its past four games, and quarterback Jordan Love is only getting better with experience. The 25-year-old could help guide the Packers into the postseason.
Seattle may lose to Philadelphia in Week 15, but it should get back on track over its final three games against Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Arizona.
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