NFL Playoff Picture: Analyzing the Latest Scenarios for Week 11

Incredibly, there are only seven weeks to go in the NFL's current season, although most clubs have played only nine games.

And it's worth noting that 18 of the league's 32 clubs boast winning records, 11 of those teams in the AFC.

That makes for some interesting early forecasting when it comes to the playoff picture. And that's what we are here to do as things begin to get interesting for the vast majority of the league.

We'll also have some insight on clubs that, while struggling, could have their own say when it comes to the 2014 postseason.

Here, we will take a weekly look at the top seeds in each conference, other teams still in the playoff hunt, the key games that could affect the postseason picture and more. And chances are you'll find our current playoff seeding odds in each conference at times a little...odd.

So here's a glance at where we stand when it comes to the NFL playoff field. It's safe to say this feature will have quite a different look one week from now.

Current AFC Playoff Seeding

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AFC No. 1 Seed: New England Patriots (7-2)

To say Bill Belichick's club has turned things around following a mediocre 2-2 start is an understatement. The Pats have won five straight games by a combined score of 201-108, and quarterback Tom Brady has thrown 18 touchdown passes and just one interception over that span.

AFC No. 2 Seed: Denver Broncos (7-2)

John Fox's team bounced back from the debacle in Foxborough with a convincing win over the winless Oakland Raiders. The Broncos have limited three of their last five opponents to exactly 17 points, and Peyton Manning now leads the NFL with 29 touchdown passes.

AFC No. 3 Seed: Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Andrew Luck and company had the week off and now prepare for a visit from the hot New England Patriots this Sunday night. The Colts' third-year quarterback has already thrown a career-high 26 touchdown passes this season, and this club is 6-1 in its last seven games following that 0-2 start.

AFC No. 4 Seed: Cleveland Browns (6-3)

In a division where all four teams are at least two games above .500, the Browns have already totaled two more wins than they did all of last season. Cleveland's defense is finally starting to come into its own after a shaky start, and quarterback Brian Hoyer has been steady for the most part.

AFC No. 5 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

Like the Colts, the 0-2 start by Andy Reid's club this season has been long forgotten. The Chiefs are getting another big year from running back Jamaal Charles, and the defense has raised its game in recent weeks, allowing a total of 30 points in Kansas City's last three outings.

AFC No. 6 Seed: Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1)

The defending AFC North champions have looked like anything but a playoff contender following a strong 3-0 start. Marvin Lewis' once-heralded defense can't stop the run, while quarterback Andy Dalton can't seem to hang on to the football.

Current NFC Playoff Seeding

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NFC No. 1 Seed: Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

They'll have to go the rest of the way without veteran quarterback Carson Palmer, but Bruce Arians' resourceful team has won five straight games and continues to find ways to get it done. In Sunday's 31-14 win over the Rams, the defense totaled six sacks and returned a pair of takeaways for scores.

With Palmer out, Drew Stanton takes over for actually the second time this season. And as far as Arians is concerned, he's more than capable of taking Arizona to the top. "We can win the Super Bowl with Drew Stanton," said Arians to Peter King of MMQB. "There is no doubt in my mind."

Of course, there are the doubters. Brandon Gdula of NumberFire.com makes use of the numbers and metrics and speculates that the Cards might not only be in trouble but perhaps their season to date has been a desert mirage.

"

At 8-1 and with one of the best defensive units in the league, it's near impossible to think they miss the playoffs.

But things are looking grim enough on the offensive side of the ball to think that this season may wind up well short of the Super Bowl. And, really, things may have been fool's gold all along.

"

Really?

To assume the Cardinals are in trouble minus Palmer is to assume the veteran quarterback is the biggest reason the team sits at 8-1. Considering the team has played effectively on a week-to-week basis and has gotten contributions from all facets, that's a bit of a stretch. And in terms of reaching the Super Bowl, was anyone convinced that this team was headed to the Big Game even with Palmer at the helm?

One year ago, the Cardinals won seven of their last nine games to finish 10-6 and unfortunately out of the playoffs. They did with the sixth-ranked defensive unit in the league and despite committing 31 turnovers. Arguably the team's biggest win of 2013 came at Seattle, a contest in which Palmer threw four interceptions.

The point here is that this is a complete team that isn't extraordinary in any one aspect but very effective in all. Each unit elevates the play of the others. The Cardinals have been the league's steadiest team this season in an NFL that has been marked all year by inconsistency.

Give credit where credit is due. It was Stanton that came into the game against the Rams and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to rookie John Brown, one of the Cards' best stories this season. This is a team that has learned how to win various ways, is far from one-dimensional and is playing with confidence.

And as far as Stanton and his supposed shortcomings, the doubters should start to worry if the resourceful Arians is unavailable.

NFC No. 2 Seed: Detroit Lions (7-2)

A year ago, the Lions lost six of their last seven games following a 6-3 start. This season, they have already equaled 2013's victory total, and with stars such as Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush healthy again, this club could be ready to take it to another level on offense. Defensively, there's been no better team in the league.

NFC No. 3 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

No Nick Foles, no problem for Chip Kelly's club. The team's 45-21 Monday night win over the Carolina Panthers saw all three phases of the Birds reach the end zone. They remain a smidge ahead of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East.

NFC No. 4 Seed: New Orleans Saints (4-5)

So much for dome-field advantage? The Saints saw the 49ers interfere with their postseason plans Sunday by snapping the club's 11-game home winning streak. And it was not a good afternoon for quarterback Drew Brees, who committed all three of the team's turnovers in the 27-24 overtime loss to San Francisco.

NFC No. 5 Seed: Dallas Cowboys (7-3)

A trip overseas proved to be what the doctor ordered after all for the Cowboys, who ended a brief two-game losing streak with a 31-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Now Tony Romo and the team get a little respite before a stretch run that includes four road games in the final six weeks. But does anyone realize Jason Garrett's club is 4-0 away from home this season?

NFC No. 6 Seed: Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

Are the defending Super Bowl champions ready to roll? Against the New York Giants on Sunday, Pete Carroll's club rolled up 350 yards on the ground as both running back Marshawn Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson topped the 100-yard mark. The Seahawks are riding their first three-game winning streak of the season.

Teams on the Bubble

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AFC

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)

The roller-coaster season for the Black and Gold continued last Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where the struggling Jets forced four turnovers. The 20-13 loss dropped the Steelers in the standings in the AFC North. Don't forget they close the season facing the Bengals twice in the final four weeks of 2014.

Baltimore Ravens (6-4)

John Harbaugh's team rebounded from back-to-back losses to the Colts and Steelers with an efficient 21-7 win over the visiting Tennessee Titans. The Ravens have just one divisional game remaining this season when they host the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

San Diego Chargers (5-4)

The Bolts are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, and they have allowed a whopping 72 points in their last two outings. Quarterback Philip Rivers was bitten by the turnover bug four times in the 37-0 setback to the Miami Dolphins. The home loss to the Chiefs in Week 7 may ultimately come back to haunt them.

Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Doug Marrone's club ran into one of the league's hotter clubs these days as the Kansas City defense shackled the Buffalo offense via a 17-13 win. On the plus side, the Bills are 2-1 within the division and have a huge showdown with the Dolphins at Miami on Thursday night.

Miami Dolphins (5-4)

The Dolphins hung tough in the Motor City but ultimately couldn't make enough plays in a 20-16 loss. Miami's ground game has been efficient, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has played well, and the defense is starting to open some eyes. And the team already owns a win over the New England Patriots this season.

Houston Texans (4-5)

Despite an up-and-down season and a new starting quarterback in Ryan Mallett, Bill O'Brien's club remains just two games behind the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. The Texans boast a winning record in the conference (3-2) and still have four more games against divisional foes this season.

NFC

Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Aaron Rodgers is going to miss playing the Chicago Bears considering he threw 10 touchdown passes without an interception in the two-game sweep this season. Green Bay's defense has been spotty but has also shown signs of being opportunistic once again. The Packers host the Lions in both teams' season finale.

San Francisco 49ers (5-4)

No one is really that surprised that Jim Harbaugh's club has been erratic this season. The key for the Niners was to keep their heads above water until some of their better players returned from suspension or got healthy. The team still has both games remaining with the Seahawks and hosts the Cardinals in Week 17.

Minnesota Vikings (4-5)

Mike Zimmer has improved the defense, and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has had his moments. Winning the NFC North may be very difficult given the way both the Lions and Packers are playing, but the Vikings, winners of two straight games, are certainly in the wild-card hunt.

Carolina Panthers (3-6-1)

The Panthers were dreadful Monday night, committing five turnovers and allowing nine sacks in a 45-21 win. Ron Rivera's squad has already allowed more points this season (281) than it did all of 2013 (241). But this club remains very much in the divisional title picture.

Atlanta Falcons (3-6)

Mike Smith's team just snapped a five-game losing streak with a 27-17 win at Tampa, and two of the team's three wins this season have come via the Buccaneers. But the Falcons are just one game behind the Saints in the NFC South and have already beaten New Orleans this season.

Teams out of Contention

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At this stage of the season, any team with eight or more losses is basically playing for next season. That makes sense for a lot of reasons, although you could make an argument that an 8-8 record or worse could actually win the NFC South this year.

In the AFC, the Oakland Raiders (0-9), Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) and New York Jets (2-8) all fit the aforementioned criteria. The Silver and Black have lost 15 straight games dating back to last season, and while they play hard, they've also lost six straight games within the division.

Jacksonville's lone win in 2014 came against the first-place Cleveland Browns, while Rex Ryan's Jets just got done cooling off the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Tennessee Titans (2-7) also don't appear to be ready to make a run this year, especially with so many teams boasting winning records in the conference.

Speaking of the NFC, we will do just that. Amazingly, there are five teams in the conference with 3-6 marks and another, the Carolina Panthers, with a 3-6-1 record. While there's still time for most of those clubs to still make a playoff run, especially the Panthers and 3-6 Atlanta Falcons in the woeful NFC South, we are not nearly as optimistic when it comes to the 3-6 Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams.

The former has already been swept by the Green Bay Packers and sits four games behind the first-place Detroit Lions in the NFC North. The Rams find themselves five games behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West and have already played four games within the division.

Can either Chicago or St. Louis play spoiler? It's worth noting that the Bears have yet to face the Lions or Minnesota Vikings this season.

AFC Seeding Odds

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AFC No. 1 Seed

Best Odds: Denver Broncos

Yes, John Fox's club has already lost to the New England Patriots, which puts Denver behind the eight ball in terms of the head-to-head tiebreaker. But the Broncos know how to pile up wins, especially within the division, and don't be surprised if they own a better overall win-loss record than the Pats.

Long Shot: Pittsburgh Steelers

The long odds are a direct result of the talented team's inconsistency. Mike Tomlin's club owns wins over the Browns, Colts and Ravens this season, but the resume also includes losses to the 1-8 Buccaneers and 2-8 Jets.

Prediction: Broncos

AFC No. 2 Seed

Best Odds: New England Patriots

Winners of five straight, the Patriots are getting ready to embark on quite the stretch run, which includes visits to Indianapolis, Green Bay and San Diego the next four weeks. Bill Belichick's club closes the season with three straight divisional foes, including home tilts with the Dolphins and Bills.

Long Shot: Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Reid's team is 6-1 in its last seven games, and the defense is playing very well. The Chiefs have already lost to the Broncos this season but own a victory over the Patriots. Reid's club still has four games to play within the division and tough assignments against the Seahawks, Cardinals and Steelers—the last two of those games on the road.

Prediction: Patriots

AFC No. 3 Seed

Best Odds: Indianapolis Colts

This Sunday night will tell us a lot about the Colts, who have already lost to the Broncos this season but host the Patriots this week. And Chuck Pagano's team has not pulled away from the Houston Texans just yet.

Long Shot: Cleveland Browns

The franchise finds itself in first place in the AFC North looking for its first playoff appearance since 2002 and first division title since 1989. Mike Pettine's club owns a 4-3 record within the conference and needs to improve on that figure if it expects to challenge the Broncos, Patriots and/or Colts.

Prediction: Colts

AFC No. 4 Seed

Best Odds: Pittsburgh Steelers

Every team in the AFC North owns a winning record, and all have at least three losses. The Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals twice in the final four weeks of the season, including at Pittsburgh in Week 17. But a little consistency would be a little nice.

Long Shot: Houston Texans

Bill O'Brien's club is one game under .500 and would need plenty of help to reach the playoffs, much less win a division title. But the Texans' final seven games are all within the conference, so they can certainly help themselves.

Prediction: Steelers

AFC No. 5 Seed

Best Odds: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs dropped five of their seven regular-season games last season but now look better than the squad that opened 9-0 a year ago. Beating the Broncos has been a problem in recent seasons, but this could be a very dangerous team in the playoffs should it get there.

Long Shot: Buffalo Bills

The franchise hasn't reached the playoffs since 1999 but is one win away from equaling last season's victory total of six. A win over the Dolphins in Miami on Thursday night would give the Bills a sweep of that series. But beating the Patriots has been a major obstacle for more than a decade for this team.

Prediction: Chiefs

AFC No. 6 Seed

Best Odds: Cincinnati Bengals

They have been erratic at best since their 3-0 start. And while Andy Dalton has had his issues, the defense has been a bigger problem. The Bengals have experience on their side, having reached the playoffs each of the last three seasons.

Long Shot: Miami Dolphins

There was a huge win over the Patriots and, two weeks later, a lopsided home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, the Miami defense has upped its game as of late, and that could be the difference in the stretch run.

Prediction: Dolphins

NFC Seeding Odds

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NFC No. 1 Seed

Best Odds: Arizona Cardinals

They have been the front-runner in the conference for the majority of the season and are riding a five-game winning streak. They still have two games with the Seattle Seahawks and a rematch with the 49ers, but Bruce Arians' club is a perfect 6-0 against the NFC this season.

Long Shot: Dallas Cowboys

They still have to get past the Philadelphia Eagles and also have to deal with their demons of the recent past. And losses in the conference to the 49ers, Redskins and Cardinals certainly don't help their cause.

Prediction: Cardinals

NFC No. 2 Seed

Best Odds: Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly's club continues to put up points even when part of his team is struggling. The Birds have nine return touchdowns this season, and new quarterback Mark Sanchez was effective in his first start Monday night. But that 24-20 loss to Arizona this season could loom large by season's end.

Long Shot: New Orleans Saints

It would be a long shot indeed, especially considering Drew Brees and company have lost five games, four more than the Cardinals and three more than both the Eagles and Lions—the latter of whom defeated the Saints earlier this season.

Prediction: Eagles

NFC No. 3 Seed

Best Odds: Green Bay Packers

The Packers are not leading the NFC North these days, trailing the Lions by one game in the division with a loss to Detroit this season. But don't be shocked if these two teams are tied heading into their Week 17 showdown at Lambeau Field, a place where the Lions haven't won since 1991. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been hot, and Green Bay has won three straight NFC North titles, but this has been a season of surprises.

Long Shot: San Francisco 49ers

They've made three straight appearances in the NFC title game and have reached the Super Bowl over that span. The Niners have already defeated the Saints and Eagles this season but have also lost home games to the Bears and Rams. Jim Harbaugh's club plays three of its final five games against the Seahawks (twice) and Cardinals.

Prediction: Lions

NFC No. 4 Seed

Best Odds: New Orleans Saints

They are one game below .500 and just saw their 11-game home winning streak snapped by the 49ers on Sunday. But Sean Payton's club owns a 2-1 record against its NFC South rivals and plays four of its final seven games at home.

Long Shot: Atlanta Falcons

It's perhaps not the long shot you would think, although Mike Smith's team is still three games under .500 this season. But the Falcons knocked off the Saints in Atlanta back in Week 1, and a victory at the Superdome in Week 16 could be the deciding step in a disappointing division.

Prediction: Saints

NFC No. 5 Seed

Best Odds: Seattle Seahawks

The defending Super Bowl champions remain two games behind the Cardinals in the NFC West and still have two meetings remaining with Arizona. But remember that the Cards did win in Seattle last season. Was Sunday's thrashing of the Giants a sign of things to come for Pete Carroll's club?

Long Shot: Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera's club has won just once since opening 2-0 this season. It would probably take the Panthers running the table to reach the playoffs and hold off both the Saints and Falcons, making this the longest of long shots.

Prediction: Seahawks

NFC No. 6 Seed

Best Odds: Detroit Lions

These days, the Lions are finding ways to pull out games instead of losing them and are riding a four-game winning streak. The defense is top-notch, but quarterback Matthew Stafford has to cut down on the turnovers.

Long Shot: Minnesota Vikings

Mike Zimmer's club has won two straight games to get within a victory of the .500 mark. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the offense are starting to come together. Is this team capable of reeling off a string of victories?

Prediction: Packers

Week 11 Games with Biggest Playoff Implications

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Buffalo Bills (5-4) at Miami Dolphins (5-4)

Back in Week 2 at Orchard Park, the Bills' special teams came up with five field goals and a kickoff return touchdown to thwart Joe Philbin's team, 29-10. Both of these clubs are still in the AFC East title race, but the Dolphins and Bills also come off tough four-point losses to the Lions and Chiefs, respectively, last Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) at New Orleans Saints (4-5)

Marvin Lewis' defensive unit continues to be a liability, and quarterback Andy Dalton comes off a horrendous performance. The Saints saw their 11-game home winning streak come to an end last week, and like Dalton, Drew Brees suffered through a three-turnover performance.

Detroit Lions (7-2) at Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

Who would have thought both of these teams would be leading their divisions just past the halfway point of the season? The Lions' fourth-quarter magic continued last week vs. Miami, while the Cards won their fifth straight game despite losing quarterback Carson Palmer for the season.

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) at Green Bay Packers (6-3)

This should be interesting. The Packers (55) and Eagles (45) combined to score 100 points in their prime-time victories last Sunday and Monday night, respectively. Philadelphia's defense totaled nine sacks of Cam Newton, but can it get a hand on red-hot Aaron Rodgers?

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)

The defending Super Bowl champions are starting to look a little more like the part in recent weeks thanks to three straight wins. Andy Reid's club is 6-1 in its last seven games, and the Kansas City defense is looking pretty fierce these days.

New England Patriots (7-2) at Indianapolis Colts (6-3)

Both the Patriots and Colts have had a little extra time to prepare for this prime-time clash and playoff rematch from a season ago. Along with the obvious Tom Brady-Andrew Luck showdown, there's a pair of pretty good tight ends here in New England's Rob Gronkowski and Indianapolis' Dwayne Allen, who've combined for 15 touchdown receptions (eight for Gronkowski, seven for Allen).