NFL Power Rankings: Breaking Down Playoff Positioning for Each Team

After 10 weeks in the NFL season, the playoff picture is really starting to take shape as each team battles for playoff positioning.

Aside from the division leaders, the playoff race has a ton of teams battling for a wild-card spot with three teams just one game back in the NFC, while the AFC features five teams vying for the No. 6 seed.

With such a close race, every single game from here on out will have major implications either way, and it's anyone's guess what team will walk away with a coveted postseason seed.

Let's take a look at the full power rankings going into Week 11 and where each team stands in the playoff hunt.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)

Coming off a bye, the Kansas City Chiefs remain the only undefeated team in the NFL, although an upcoming matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 11 could end this magical and improbable run.

The Chiefs have a slim one-game lead over the Broncos in the AFC West and could fall to the No. 5 seed if they don't win the division, so these two divisional matchups in three weeks with Denver mean everything.

2. Seattle Seahawks (9-1)

The Seattle Seahawks returned to form in Week 10 with a comfortable 33-10 win over Atlanta, which was the biggest margin of victory the Seahawks enjoyed since Week 3 versus the Houston Texans.

A San Francisco 49ers loss in Week 10 gives the Seahawks a two-game advantage in the loss column over the only team with a chance to challenge them in the NFC West. Not to mention, Seattle owns the best record in the NFC and is facing the prospect of playing playoff games at CenturyLink Field.

3. Denver Broncos (8-1)

Despite the fact that they beat the San Diego Chargers, the Broncos didn't look so hot in the second half after scoring a single touchdown in the last two quarters, as they held on for dear life for the win.

The Broncos sit in second place in the AFC West just one game back and have a golden opportunity to take a lead in the division if they can top the Chiefs this week. If not, Denver is facing the No. 5 seed even though they own the second-best record in the conference.

4. New Orleans Saints (7-2)

Not only did the New Orleans Saints beat a tough opponent in the Dallas Cowboys, they outright beat them down with an offensive onslaught that resulted in 49 points and over 600 yards of total offense.

While it looked like a forgone conclusion that the Saints would win the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers are creeping up on them as they sit just one game back with two divisional showdowns coming up in Weeks 14 and 16. The Saints also own the second-best record in the NFC and a chance at a bye.

5. New England Patriots (7-2)

After disposing of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9 thanks to 55 points, the New England Patriots got a much-needed week off and should be fresh for a highly anticipated matchup with the surging Panthers on Monday Night Football.

Now that the Miami Dolphins are falling apart and the New York Jets are two games back, the Patriots have some breathing room in the AFC East and would be the No. 2 seed if the playoffs started today.

6. Carolina Panthers (6-3)

Carolina's rise as one of the best teams in the game got some more credibility in Week 10 after the Panthers completely shut down the Niners en route to a huge, respect-building win.

The Panthers are now just one game back in the NFC South after looking like they were dead in the water after starting 1-3. If the division doesn't pan out, Carolina can look forward to one of the last two seeds as it is in the No. 5 spot at the moment.

7. Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

The Indianapolis Colts' place as one of the top teams in the NFL took a huge hit in Week 10 after getting creamed by 30 points against the Sam Bradford-less St. Louis Rams in what was a head-scratching result.

With that loss, the Colts allowed the Tennessee Titans to remain in the race with a two-game deficit in the AFC South, and with two games between these teams in the next three weeks, the Titans could conceivably take the lead in the division.

8. San Francisco 49ers (6-3)

The Niners' lack of offense against the Panthers was alarming to say the least, but it must be noted that the Panthers have one of the finest defensive units in all of football, as evidenced by their allowing the second-fewest points per game in the league.

San Fran has a narrow, one-game lead for the final playoff spot in the NFC, and hopes of winning the division are beginning to fade while the Seahawks keep winning and the Niners having already dropped the pair's first meeting this season.

9. Detroit Lions (6-3)

A big divisional win over the Chicago Bears in Week 10 gave the Detroit Lions a leg up in the NFC North as the Green Bay Packers continue to struggle without superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Lions now own a one-game advantage over both the Packers and Bears, who have a 5-4 record. As long as the Packers are without Rodgers, the Lions are the class of this division and even have a shot at the No. 2 seed with a one-game difference between Detroit and New Orleans.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

Just when you think the Cincinnati Bengals will emerge as an elite team in the league, they go ahead and drop a game to a struggling Baltimore Ravens squad—although historically Cincy doesn't play well in Baltimore.

Still, those past problems in Baltimore are something a top team should be able to overcome, so the jury is still out on this team being elite. The loss allowed the Ravens and Cleveland Browns to inch closer in the AFC North with only one game separating them from the Bengals in the loss column. Also, the Bengals have the worst record of any of the division leaders and are looking at a No. 4 seed in the playoffs.

11. New York Jets (5-4)

A win over the Saints in Week 9 showed that the Jets can beat any team in the NFL when their defense is at its best. A bye week in Week 10 gave New York some rest, and they look primed to top the Buffalo Bills in Week 11.

A two-game deficit in the AFC East may look difficult to overcome, but the Pats have been a bit inconsistent this season and could blow it. Even if that doesn't happen, the Jets control their own fate as they hold the No. 6 seed in the playoff picture.

12. Chicago Bears (5-4)

Chicago played Detroit tough in Week 10 and had a chance to tie the game late but was unable to convert the two-point conversion to get the job done. If nothing else, it was a great sign for the struggling Bears defense to allow just 21 points to the Lions.

With several issues overall, the Bears are fortunate to be in second place and just one game back of the Lions in the division. With better teams like Carolina and San Francisco ahead of them in the playoff race, it's looking like division or bust for the Bears' playoff hopes.

13. Green Bay Packers (5-4)

The Packers are better than how they've performed in recent weeks as you can chalk their problems up to the fact that their star quarterback is on the shelf and nothing more.

After two straight losses, the Packers are now in the middle of the pack for the NFC North, and even though Rodgers is out, the picture isn't as doom and gloom if he can return in the next few weeks.

14. Arizona Cardinals (5-4)

Arizona is having an impressive season in 2013, and a win over the Houston Texans in Week 10 put this squad back over .500.

An incredibly tough NFC West will make it nearly impossible for the Cards to win the division as they sit three games back in the loss column to the Seahawks. Arizona is on the cusp of a playoff spot, however, with a one-game deficit for the No. 6 seed to overcome.

15. San Diego Chargers (4-5)

A loss to the Broncos is one thing, but losing to them by just one score was a great sign for the Chargers, who were able to hold Peyton Manning and Co. to just one touchdown in the second half and nearly pulled out a win.

The Chargers happen to be in one of the finest divisions in football this season, and as a result, winning the AFC West is highly unlikely. Instead, the No. 6 seed is more realistic as they sit just one game back of the Jets for that spot.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't earn any respect points for beating a Rodgers-less Packers team last week, but a win is a win, and now the Eagles are back to .500 with a great shot at making the playoffs.

While the Eagles have to jump four teams just for a wild-card spot, Philly's hopes of winning the division are more than realistic as it shares a lead of the division with the Dallas Cowboys.

17. Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

Losing to the Saints 49-17 not only showed that the Cowboys have a long way to go as far as being a top team, but it also showed some major problems on both sides of the ball for head coach Jason Garrett's squad.

The horrid NFC East is a division the Cowboys should be running away with, but inconsistency in 2013 has axed that dream, and now Dallas is fighting for its divisional life with Philly being even for the lead. The New York Giants and Washington Redskins just one game back in the loss column.

18. Cleveland Browns (4-5)

A bye week followed a win over the Ravens for the Browns, and an even more important matchup with the Bengals lies ahead for this football team.

Along with the Ravens, the Browns are back in the hunt for the AFC North with a one-game deficit to make up in the loss column, and the final playoff seed is still very much in sight.

19. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)

After beating one of the better teams in the AFC (the Bengals), the Ravens will be flying high going into Week 11 versus a tough Bears team.

It was thought the Bengals could run away with the AFC North this season, but surprisingly Baltimore and Cleveland are one game back in the loss column as the division grows tighter and tighter by the week.

20. St. Louis Rams (4-6)

Losing quarterback Sam Bradford was supposed to make the Rams totally inept, but that wasn't the case in Week 10 as they scorched the Colts 38-8.

A five-game lead for the Seahawks over the Rams in the NFC West means St. Louis must get to a wild-card spot in order to see playoff football. Good luck with that, considering the Rams are three games back in the loss column for the last two seeds.

21. Miami Dolphins (4-5)

The collapse of the Miami Dolphins continued last week after dropping a game to the formerly winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now that they have fallen three games back in the AFC East, the Dolphins' chances at winning the division are just about gone. Things are looking a bit brighter in the wild-card hunt with a one-game deficit separating Miami from New York for the No. 6 seed.

22. Tennessee Titans (4-5)

The Titans were the second team in Week 10 to allow a winless squad to beat them with the Jacksonville Jaguars being the beneficiary.

Even after a dreadful loss to the Jags, the Titans are one game behind the Jets for the final playoff spot and have only the Dolphins to jump on their way there.

23. New York Giants (3-6)

New York continues to climb the power rankings at the pace of a snail after topping the Oakland Raiders in Week 10.

The turmoil surrounding the Giants this season has been well-documented, but that hasn't erased their playoff hopes with the Cowboys and Eagles unable to take a stranglehold for the division. New York is just one game back in the loss column and very much alive.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6)

A strong showing on both sides of the ball helped the Pittsburgh Steelers walk out of a home game with a win over the Bills.

The Bengals' loss helped the Steelers take a step in the right direction for the division. With the win and Cincy's loss, the Steelers are just two games back in the loss column for the time being.

25. Washington Redskins (3-6)

The Washington Redskins squandered a great opportunity to make up some ground in the NFC East following a loss to the lowly Minnesota Vikings.

With the loss, the Redskins are one behind in the loss column and could have been tied in losses with both the Cowboys and Eagles had they taken care of business.

26. Oakland Raiders (3-6)

Oakland's growing pains continued in Week 10 after some sloppy play allowed the G-Men to escape with a victory.

The Raiders are at the bottom of the highly competitive AFC West, and they have a ton of teams to leap-frog if they want to grab a wild-card spot this season.

27. Buffalo Bills (3-7)

A loss to the Steelers last week was just a microcosm of the Bills' up-and-down season and wasn't the ideal result as rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel returned to the field.

The Bills appear to be finished in the playoff hunt this season as the division and wild-card deficits look insurmountable.

28. Minnesota Vikings (2-7)

Minnesota was supposed to be a stepping stone for Washington in its quest to get back into the NFC East, but somebody didn't tell the Vikings as they beat the Redskins by a touchdown.

Minnesota's season is lost in 2013 as it sits in last place in the NFC North and will never make up the considerable ground to catch the Panthers and Niners, both at 6-3.

29. Atlanta Falcons (2-7)

A year ago the Atlanta Falcons were on the same level talent-wise as the Seahawks and even a step higher, but this is a new season, and the Falcons are certainly not as good after getting crushed by Seattle in Week 10.

It appears veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez's return this season will be spoiled as the Falcons simply aren't good enough to turn things around and make the playoffs having won two games all season.

30. Houston Texans (2-7)

The fall from grace for the Houston Texans this season has been epic, and it remained a trend after dropping a game to a middle-of-the-road team in the Cardinals.

With two teams ahead of them in the AFC South and a four-game deficit in the loss column to overcome, the Texans are all but out of the playoff hunt as even the AFC Wild Card looks bleak at best.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8)

Tampa Bay finally earned its first win of the season in Week 10 after beating a totally dysfunctional Dolphins team.

Forget the playoffs, the Bucs were lucky to garner a single win this season and will look to build on that with a young and somewhat talented roster that is already looking to next season.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)

Like the Bucs, the Jaguars notched their first mark in the win column by emerging victorious over the Titans last week.

Unlike the Bucs, the Jags don't have as many bright spots in the talent department, and the win only hurts their chances at landing a top pick in the 2014 NFL draft.