NFL Playoff Picture Week 13: Updated AFC, NFC Wild Card Scenarios, Predictions

The last month of the year means that the NFL season has taken shape, and it’s a fight to the finish from this point forward.

At this point, every team knows where they stand and every coach knows his team’s capabilities. There are few surprises when it comes to talent and ability. 

However, now that the NFL has reached its final full month of the regular season, coaches can unleash certain strategic changes that give their team a better chance to win and earn a playoff position.

The Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns have four regular-season games remaining, the remaining 28 teams have five games remaining.

Here’s a look at the playoff standings heading into Sunday’s action, and we’ll examine potential Wild Card scenarios as the season hits the home stretch.

In the AFC, the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders appear to be in a tight race for the No. 1 seed. 

Both teams have 9-2 records, and while the Pats are almost always near the top of the standings, the Raiders have been one of the biggest surprises in the league.

After hosting Buffalo this week, the Raiders have three tough games against their AFC West rivals in the final four weeks, and it could be difficult to stay with the Patriots.

The Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans are leading the AFC North and AFC South, respectively, but both teams are in tenuous positions with their 6-5 records.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are also 6-5, but the Ravens hold the current edge because they won their first meeting of the year with the Steelers. The two teams will meet again in Pittsburgh in Week 16.

The Texans have a half-game lead over the Titans and a one-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts, and their divisional lead could disappear if they lose on the road at Green Bay Sunday.

The …

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