NFL playoff picture 2013: Panthers secure postseason spot, Broncos clinch AFC West
A few more pieces fell into place with the NFL playoff picture on Sunday.
With a dramatic late drive by Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers are heading to the playoffs -- and have a shot to finish the season as NFC South champions.
A 17-13 win over the New Orleans Saints was all Carolina needed to clinch a playoff spot. A win against the Falcons next week will give them the division, as would a loss and a Saints loss to Tampa Bay. New Orleans has the tiebreaker, so they could've clinched the division and a first-round bye with a win against the Panthers on Sunday.
Updated Playoff Picture
In the AFC, the Broncos clinched the AFC West by soundly beating the Houston Texans, which, coupled with a loss by the Chiefs to the Colts, ensures Denver will end the season at least tied in the standings with Kansas City. Since the Broncos won both regular season matchups with Kansas City, they'll get the tiebreaker. No team besides Kansas City can catch Denver in terms of total wins, so the Broncos will be the No. 1 seed and will relax with a first-round bye while the Chiefs will have to play a game during the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
(X) - clinched playoff berth (Y) - clinched division
AFC playoff standings
No. 1 - (Y) Denver 12-3
No. 2 - New England 10-4
No. 3 - Cincinnati 10-5
No. 4 - (Y) Indianapolis 10-5
No. 5 - (X) Kansas City 11-4
No. 6 - Baltimore 8-6
In the hunt: Miami (8-7), San Diego (7-7), New York Jets (7-8), Pittsburgh (6-8)
NFC playoff standings
No. 1 - (X) Seattle 12-2
No. 2 - Carolina 11-4
No. 3 - Philadelphia 8-6
No. 4 - Chicago 8-6
No. 5 - New Orleans 10-5
No. 6 - San Francisco 10-4
In the hunt: Arizona (9-5), Detroit (7-7), Dallas (8-7), Green Bay (7-6-1)
