NFL Playoff Picture, Week 13 AFC, NFC Wild Card Scenarios and Bracket Predictions

We're a quarter of the way through Week 13, and the four games we've seen all carried playoff implications.

The Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals all won as underdogs on Thursday, bettering their odds of reaching the postseason. The Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles then faced off on Friday in a battle for the NFC's No. 2 seed.

The Bears prevailed, staying atop the NFC North in the process.

The playoff picture will be further impacted by the week's remaining 12 games. Here's a look where every team stands and some predictions for what lies ahead.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Patriots WR Stefon Diggs

Division Leaders

1. New England Patriots (10-2)

2. Denver Broncos (9-2)

3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Wild Card

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)

7. Buffalo Bills (7-4)

In the Hunt

8. Houston Texans (6-5)

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)

10. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)

11. Miami Dolphins (4-7)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

13. Cleveland Browns (3-8)

14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)

15. New York Jets (2-9)

16. Tennessee Titans (1-10)

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Rams WR Puka Nacua

Division Leaders

1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)

2. Chicago Bears (9-3)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)

Wild Card

5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)

7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (7-5)

9. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)

10. Carolina Panthers (6-6)

11. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)

12. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)

13. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)

14. Washington Commanders (3-8)

15. New Orleans Saints (2-9)

Eliminated

16. New York Giants (2-10)

Playoff Scenarios

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

Thursday's games kept the Bengals and Cowboys alive while pushing the Ravens, Chiefs and Lions to the outside of the playoff bracket. Next Thursday's matchup between the Cowboys and Lions is shaping up to be a must-see event.

No teams were able to clinch anything, though, and that will remain the case through Monday night. We haven't reached clinching scenarios just yet, but the New York Giants have already been eliminated, and a few other teams could join them.

A full list of elimination scenarios can be found at nflplayoffscenarios.com. The Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders could all be eliminated this week—though Tennessee is the only team that can be eliminated with a loss alone.

Two of Sunday's games carry significant stakes in divisional races. The Pittsburgh Steelers are back on top in the AFC North but will need to hold off the Buffalo Bills to stay there.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meanwhile, would cede the NFC South with a loss and a Carolina Panthers win. Carolina faces a tough test against the Los Angeles Rams. However, the Bucs are likely to face the Arizona Cardinals with a less-than-healthy Baker Mayfield at quarterback.

Mayfield suffered a significant shoulder injury against the Rams last week. Head coach Todd Bowles, though, said that Mayfield is "trending" to play, per Scott Smith of the team's official website.

The Rams, meanwhile, need to win to stay atop the NFC standings. Should the fall, Chicago would take over the No. 1 seed.

Monday's matchup between the Giants and New England Patriots could be huge too. If the Denver Broncos best the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, the Patriots will need to win to keep the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Projected Playoff Brackets

AP Photo

AFC

1. New England Patriots

7. Houston Texans at 2. Denver Broncos

6. Kansas City Chiefs at 3. Indianapolis Colts

5. Buffalo Bills at 4. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC

1. Los Angeles Rams

7. San Francisco 49ers at 2. Philadelphia Eagles

6. Green Bay Packers at 3. Chicago Bears

5. Seattle Seahawks at 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

*Projections based on current standings and future game predictions.