NFL Playoff Picture 2024-25: Standings, Bracket Scenarios After Jets Win vs. Texans
November 01, 2024
The NFL season is nearing the end of its first half after the New York Jets kicked off Week 9 with a 21-13 home win over the Houston Texans on Thursday evening.
This season has been an interesting one to say the least, and both conferences offer far different division races.
In the AFC, it's possible three teams (the Buffalo Bills, Texans and Kansas City Chiefs) run away with their division titles before we get too far into December, although Houston's loss knocks the 6-3 team down to a game-and-a-half ahead of the 4-4 Indianapolis Colts (albeit with the head-to-head tiebreaker in hand).
But the race for the AFC's top seed (and bye) could be a great one. The 7-0 Chiefs lead that charge, but the 6-2 Bills and 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers aren't far behind.
It's a lot tighter in the NFC, where the first- and second-place teams in three of the four divisions are tied or a half-game apart in the standings. Even the NFC South is competitive, as the Atlanta Falcons hold only a one-game edge over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (with the head-to-head tiebreaker confirmed).
Following Thursday's matchup, here's a look at the latest standings and playoff pictures, alongside bracket scenario discussions and a closer look at two of the more intriguing division races thus far.
AFC Standings
Division Leaders
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
3. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
4. Houston Texans (6-3)
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. New York Jets (3-6)
11. Miami Dolphins (2-5)
12. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
15. New England Patriots (2-6)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Currently in wild card playoff position.
Bracket Scenarios: No. 1 Seed Talk, and The Texans/Jets Game Impact
The Chiefs have a massive leg up on the rest of the AFC thanks to a two-game edge in the loss column over the Bills and Steelers.
However, Buffalo and Pittsburgh both host Kansas City for home games later this year, on Nov. 17 and Christmas Day, respectively. They can take care of business and position themselves nicely in the fight for the No. 1 seed.
AFC North: Steelers and Ravens Race Once Again
The Steelers or Baltimore Ravens have won the AFC North a combined 16 times since the division's advent in 2002. It's very likely this season will mark No. 17.
The 6-2 Steelers are off to a tremendous start. If not for a pair of three-point losses, Pittsburgh would be 8-0. The team's No. 2 scoring defense leads the way, but the running game has gotten going behind Najee Harris (744 total yards), and the pass game has fared well behind new quarterback Russell Wilson.
The only downside here is a brutal schedule in the second half. Pittsburgh somehow hasn't faced a division rival yet, so six AFC North games remain.
That means two games against the 5-3 Ravens, two games against a potentially explosive Cincinnati Bengals offense and two games against a Cleveland Browns team that looks rejuvenated with Jameis Winston now at quarterback. The three other games are at the 6-2 Washington Commanders, at the 5-2 Philadelphia Eagles and home versus the 7-0 Chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Ravens stand as one of the NFL's most perplexing teams. At their best, they look like the league's No. 1 team, nevermore than when they crushed the Bills 35-10. At their worst, they've fallen to the 2-6 Las Vegas Raiders and 2-6 Browns.
But the bottom line is this team can go places with potential three-time MVP Lamar Jackson and rushing leader Derrick Henry pacing the offense. The problem is a leaky defense that's 26th in points allowed, even though the team has solid playmakers in the likes of Kyle Hamilton and sack leader Kyle Van Noy.
The schedule isn't easy, with six games remaining against winning teams. Five of their remaining nine are at home, though, which should help matters.
NFC Standings
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)
Italics: Currently in wild card playoff position.
Bracket Scenarios: Lions in Driver's Seat, But For How Long?
There's much evidence to suggest, of course, that this could finally be the Detroit Lions' year.
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