Here’s what the playoff picture looks like after the first round of Sunday games for Week 12.
NFL playoff picture 2013: Dogfight for AFC, NFC Wild Card spots
The first round of Week 12 games on Sunday did nothing to clarify the playoff picture, except keep hope alive for a number of teams.
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1. NFC West: Seattle Seahawks (10-1)
2. NFC South: New Orleans Saints (9-2)
3. NFC North: Detroit Lions (6-5)
4. NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)
The Seahawks don't officially have the NFC West locked up, but they might as well. The other divisions are close. The Saints and Panthers still have two games left to play against each other, which could decide the division winner and the other NFC Wild Card spot. The Lions and Bears both lost this week, and the Packers tied with the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers' potential return for Week 13 will put them back in the race. The Eagles have a slight lead, but a Cowboys win over the Giants will keep it a two-team race in the NFC East. And don't write off the Giants in that division either.
Wild Card
5. Carolina Panthers (8-3)
6. San Francisco 49ers (6-4)
The Panthers have continued their massive winning streak with a victory over the Dolphins on Sunday. Carolina is in sole possession of the top wild card position and could push the Saints for the division. The Saints won on Thursday night and will play the Seahawks (on a bye) for the top spot in the conference in Week 13.
Keep an eye on the NFC North. Detroit and Chicago at both at 6-5, each with a shot at a Wild Card spot with five games left to play. The 49ers have a tiebreaker in hand by virtue of their win over the Cardinals, but Arizona is riding a vicious defense that should keep them in the playoff chase.
AFC Playoff Picture
1. AFC West: Denver Broncos (9-1)
2. AFC East: New England Patriots (7-3)
3. AFC South: Indianapolis Colts (7-3)
4. AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
The four division leaders are all later games on Sunday or on a bye. They all remain unchanged but a loss for the Patriots against the Broncos and a win for the Colts against the Cardinals would move Indianapolis in the second slot in the conference. The fight for home-field advantage continues on Sunday night.
Wild Card
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6)
There’s a six-team tie for the final Wild Card spot, with the Jets, Ravens, Dolphins and the winner of Sunday’s Raiders-Titans game all sitting at 5-6.
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