NFL playoff standings 2016: How the Week 13 schedule shaped the standings

The Dallas Cowboys started Week 13 by solidifying their spot at the top of the NFC, and now they’re the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season. They needed Washington or the Tampa Buccaneers to lose, and Washington fell to the Cardinals, officially locking up a postseason spot for Dallas.

The Buccaneers held on against the Chargers and improved to 7-5 and are tied atop the NFC South with the Falcons. The Bucs are now in the final wild card spot after Washington lost.

With divisional games stacking the last weeks of the schedule, there isn’t a single game between division rivals on the Week 13 slate. But there’s still plenty of jockeying for position that can happen, and teams in the hunt can’t afford to drop games with only a few weeks left to play.

Here’s a look at this week’s playoff standing on Sunday of Week 13:

All times listed are Eastern and all games are on Sunday unless listed otherwise.

Cowboys 17, Vikings 15 (Thursday)

There’s an actual clinching scenario for the Cowboys now, who will be in the playoffs officially if Washington or Tampa Bay lose Sunday. Of course, Dallas has much higher aspirations than just clinching a berth and would be helped most by a New York Giants loss as well as losses for the other NFC divisional leaders. For the Vikings, things are getting desperate and they have catching up to do.

Chiefs 29, Falcons 28

A Week 6 win over the Raiders means the Chiefs can vault to the AFC West lead and the No. 2 seed if Oakland loses to the Bills. But a Week 14 game will sort out the division plenty. A win over Atlanta keeps the Chiefs ahead of the Broncos and inches the team closer to a playoff berth. With the Buccaneers surging, the Falcons’ position in the NFC South is suddenly shaky.

Ravens 38, Dolphins 6

Baltimore keeps its spot ahead of the Steelers in the AFC North and improves its standing in the race for a wild card berth as a backup plan. The Christmas matchup against Pittsburgh still looms large, but the Ravens are in good shape. The Dolphins, though, fall out of the playoff picture this week.

Bears 26, 49ers 6

The win is not good for the Bears’ draft position, but the loss is good for the 49ers’ draft position.

Bengals 32, Eagles 14

It’s probably too little, too late for Cincinnati, which likely knocked Philadelphia out of the playoff race. Even if the Bengals win the next four, including games against the Steelers and Ravens, the best-case scenario is 8-7-1 and that’s probably not going to be enough.

Packers 21, Texans 13

A Week 3 win over the Lions means catching up in the NFC North is still doable at 6-6. The Vikings don’t look like a threat, but Green Bay has a big test with the Seahawks next week. After that it’s all NFC North opponents, including a huge game against the Lions in Week 17. The Texans, meanwhile, are now .500 and tied with the Titans and Colts atop the AFC South. Houston still owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Broncos 20, Jaguars 10

The Broncos are 8-4 and re-enter the playoff picture this week after the Dolphins lost. Getting a win over the Jaguars was important with much more difficult matchups on the way against the Patriots, Raiders, and Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars are officially eliminated from the postseason.

Patriots 26, Rams 10

The Raiders scooted back up to the No. 1 seed with a win over the Bills, but at 10-2, New England is in great shape for a first-round bye and still has plenty of chances at wrestling the top seed away from Oakland. Clinching the AFC East is on the table in Week 14 after the Dolphins lost.

Lions 28, Saints 13

Detroit takes a two-game lead in the NFC North with four weeks left to play. That’s enough to essentially rule out the Vikings’ chances thanks to a season sweep for the Lions, though the Packers are still hanging around.

Raiders 38, Bills 24

A win over an AFC opponent means the Raiders are back in the No. 1 spot in the AFC at 10-2, and there will be a chance to essentially lock up the AFC West and a first-round bye if Oakland beats Kansas City in Week 14. The Bills, well, still aren’t catching the Patriots.

Cardinals 31, Washington 23

It’s almost definitely too late for the Cardinals to make a run in a crowded field unless the Seahawks completely collapse and open the door in the NFC West. Washington falls out of the playoff picture this week and the Bucs jump into the final wild card spot.

Steelers 24, Giants 14

The AFC North race could be decided on Christmas when the Steelers host the Ravens, but it’s important that Pittsburgh keeps the pace after losing to Baltimore in Week 9. Getting to 7-5 is a great start. The Giants are still in the wild card race, but don’t have much hope of passing the Cowboys in the division.

Buccaneers 28, Chargers 21

That’s four straight for the Buccaneers and enough to keep Tampa Bay very much in the hunt for both the NFC South and an NFC wild card berth. Tampa Bay moves into the No. 6 spot, but an inferior division record means the Buccaneers can’t catch the Falcons this week.

Seahawks 40, Panthers 7

The Seahawks shook off a Week 12 setback with a Week 13 win that should be enough to end any hope for the Rams or Cardinals coming back in the NFC West. It’ll also keep Seattle in line for a first-round bye. The Panthers aren’t officially eliminated, but it’s all but certain they’re out of the postseason hunt.

Colts 41, Jets 10

With the Monday Night Football win, the Colts are now tied with the Texans and Titans at 6-6. Indianapolis can jump ahead in AFC South next week when it faces off against Houston. The Jets, though, are officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Here’s what the standings look after Week 13