If the NFL playoffs began this week, Super Bowl mainstay and AFC powerhouse Kansas City would miss the tournament, with the Jacksonville Jaguars clinching the final wild card spot.
In the NFC, the Chicago Bears (5-3) are eighth in the conference, which means no playoffs – although they are one of three teams in the NFC North with an identical record. The No. 7 seed in the loaded NFC is currently the Detroit Lions (5-3).
Here’s a complete look at the playoff picture in each conference after nine weeks:
AFC
First round bye: 1. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) to 2. New England Patriots (7-2)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) at 3. Denver Broncos (7-2)
5. Buffalo Bills (6-2) at 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
Wildcard candidates:
8. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
9. Houston Texans (3-5); The Texans have a head-to-head victory against the Ravens.
10. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
NFC
Goodbye to the first round
1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
7. Detroit Lions (5-3) vs. 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)*
6. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) at 3. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
5. Los Angeles Rams (6-2) to 4. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)
*Buccaneers earn head-to-head victory over Seahawks
Wildcard candidates:
8. Chicago Bears (5-3)
9. Carolina Panthers (5-4)
10. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
11. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)
12. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
14. Washington Commanders (3-6)
–Field level media
