Alan Conklin || Issue 10 || December 3rd, 2024
After 12 weeks of NFL action, the playoff picture for both the AFC and NFC is still completely up in the air. Multiple divisions still don’t have a clear frontrunner, and the number one seeds in both conferences are here by just one game. Let’s delve into what things will look like for the final six weeks of the regular season. Starting in the AFC, the least competitive division is easily the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills (9-2) can all but coast to their fifth consecutive division win with a four-game lead over the second place Miami Dolphins (5-6). The Bills are currently in line to be the number two seed in the AFC. The Dolphins are the only other team in the playoff conversation and are currently a game and a
half back from the seventh and final playoff spot. Switching now to the most competitive division, the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) hold just a half game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (8-4). This slots the Steelers in as the number three seed and the Ravens in at number five as the best wildcard team. The third-place team Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) are just a bit too far back for me to consider them in the playoff hunt, but at 2.5 games behind the seventh seed could still technically make it in. The worst division in the AFC looks to be only sending one team to the playoffs this year, that division being the AFC South. The Houston Texans (7-5) hold a comfortable two game lead over the Indianapolis Colts (5-7), despite being the AFC division leader with the worst record. The Texans are currently slotted in at the number four seed, with the Colts being behind the seventh seed by two games. The last AFC division, the AFC West, is easily the most dominant with their teams currently holding three of the seven playoff spots. The division is headed by the current number one seeded
Kansas City Chiefs (10-1). And while the Chiefs look like a lock for their ninth consecutive division win, the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) and Denver Broncos (7-5) are still in the hunt, currently seeded at number six and seven respectively. The NFC finds itself in a similar situation, with very little certainty after ⅔ of the regular season. One of the most interesting storylines of the season has been the NFC North battle, as three of the best teams, not just the NFC but the entire NFL, reside there. The division is headed by the Detroit Lions (10-1), who are the number one seed in the NFC. Followed close behind are the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and Green Bay Packers (8-3). These two, while not in the division lead, currently hold the best wildcard positions at five and six. Another highly competitive division, but on the other end of the record spectrum, is the NFC West. The Seattle Seahawks (6-5), Arizona Cardinals (6-5), Los Angeles Rams (5-6), and San Francisco 49ers (5-6) all sit with in a game of the division lead. The Seahawks currently hold that honor, coming in as the third seed. But the other three currently find themselves outside of the playoffs by half a game (Cardinals) and a game and a half (Rams and 49ers). Currently home to the number two and seven seed in the NFC is the NFC East. Headed by
the Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) and followed by the Washington Commanders (7-5) this looks to be the fourth year in a row in which the division sends multiple teams to the post season. Wrapping up the NFC conference is the NFC South. The Atlanta Falcons (65) currently hold the lead, but are followed
closely by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6). The Falcons are slotted in as the last division leader in the fourth seed, and the Buccaneers find themselves a game and a half back from the fourth seed, but
have their sights set on the division lead, which they are only one game out of. With so many different storylines and possible scenarios it will certainly be interesting to see what the playoffs look like come January.
The Hudsonian 