NFL Playoff Bracket Scenarios 2024-25 Week 9: Standings After Steelers Win vs. Giants
The Pittsburgh Steelers put a bow on Week 8 of the NFL season with a 26-18 victory over the New York Giants on Monday and now sit atop the AFC North by themselves as a result.
Week 8 was an ideal one for Pittsburgh, as the Cleveland Browns shocked the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Cincinnati Bengals to create more breathing room on top for the division leaders.
Those were far from the only notable developments, as the Washington Commanders further announced themselves as contenders with a stunning Hail Mary victory over the Chicago Bears, the Atlanta Falcons seized control of the NFC South with a win over the Atlanta Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs continued their undefeated ways.
With all that in mind, here is a look at the updated standings and playoff picture heading into Week 9 of the 2024 campaign.
AFC Standings
1 of 2
Division Leaders
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
2. Houston Texans (6-2)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
4. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
Wild-Card Race
5. Denver Broncos (5-3)
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
8. Indianapolis Colts (4-4)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
10. Miami Dolphins (2-5)
11. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
14. New England Patriots (2-6)
15. New York Jets (2-6)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
It's the Chiefs' world and everyone else is just living in it.
Kansas City entered the season hoping to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, and it is certainly off to an ideal start with a 7-0 record. While the wins haven't always been pretty at times, a strong defense and timely plays from Patrick Mahomes have been more than enough to overcome in-game adversity.
It was more of the same Sunday, as the Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders by just seven points thanks in large part to Mahomes' two touchdown passes, one of which went to Travis Kelce for the tight end's first score of the season.
While it is still early in the season, the Chiefs are part of an AFC playoff picture that already seems to be coming together.
Nobody in the AFC West is within three games of them in the loss column. It is a similar situation for the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East, as they are three games ahead of the 2-5 Miami Dolphins in the loss column. What's more, the Houston Texans are two games ahead of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.
And Houston just defeated the Colts on Sunday to complete the season sweep, which further underscored its grip on the division.
The AFC North may end up being the only close divisional race down the stretch, as the Steelers still haven't played the Ravens or Bengals and may have to fend off Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow leading talented offenses.
If they do, playoff matchups against the Chiefs, Texans or Bills could be waiting.
NFC Standings
2 of 2
Division Leaders
1. Detroit Lions (6-1)
2. Washington Commanders (6-2)
3. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
Wild-Card Race
5. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
8. Chicago Bears (4-3)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)
10. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
11. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
12. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
13. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
14. New Orleans Saints (2-6)
15. New York Giants (2-6)
16. Carolina Panthers (1-7)
The Detroit Lions might be the best team in the NFL.
But first they have to prove they are the best team in the NFC North.
Detroit leads the best division in football with a 6-1 record after a blowout 52-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but a far more important game awaits in Week 9 when it hits the road to face the Green Bay Packers.
The winner of that game will sit atop the division that features all four teams above .500 even after the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Rams and the Bears dropped a stunner thanks to Jayden Daniels' Hail Mary pass on the final play of Sunday's contest.
While there isn't much drama in the AFC divisional races, there is plenty in the NFC.
In addition to the tightly contested NFC North, the NFC West includes three teams tied at 4-4 and another right behind at 3-4. Head-to-head results down the stretch will surely determine who emerges from that tightly contested race.
As for the NFC South, the Falcons seem to be in control despite just a one-game lead over the Buccaneers because Sunday's head-to-head win completed a season sweep. That means Tampa Bay will have to clear Kirk Cousins and Co. if it is going to take home the division crown.
The NFC East is shaping up to be a two-team race, as Daniels has the Commanders tied with the Eagles after Sunday's most memorable finish.
For now, there is far more uncertainty in the NFC than the AFC.
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