The NFL's playoff picture is rounding into form. With Week 12 all but complete, a number of teams have inched closer to clinching a postseason berth.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steelers | North | 9-2 |
| 2 | Patriots | East | 9-2 |
| 3 | Titans | South | 7-4 |
| 4 | Chiefs | West | 6-5 |
| 5 | Jaguars | South | 7-4 |
| 6 | Bills | East | 6-5 |
The Steelers remain a step ahead of the Patriots after their second-half comeback against the Packers on Sunday night.
The Titans recorded a similar victory on Sunday and, for the time being, took control of the AFC South, thanks in part to the Jaguars' loss to the Cardinals.
The Chiefs' playoff spot once seemed assured, but now they're in danger of falling out of the picture altogether.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ravens | North | 5-5 |
| 8 | Bengals | North | 5-6 |
| 9 | Chargers | West | 5-6 |
| 10 | Raiders | West | 5-6 |
| 11 | Texans | South | 4-6 |
The Chargers and Raiders are just one game back of the AFC West-leading Chiefs, and are also both firmly in the wild-card race.
The Ravens could regain their tenuous hold on the sixth and final playoff spot with a win over the Texans on Monday night.
Finally, the Bengals are quietly mounting a challenge after winning three of their last five.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagles | East | 10-1 |
| 2 | Vikings | North | 9-2 |
| 3 | Rams | West | 8-3 |
| 4 | Saints | South | 8-3 |
| 5 | Panthers | South | 8-3 |
| 6 | Falcons | South | 7-4 |
The Eagles remain the class of the NFL and are now just one win - or one loss from both the Cowboys and Redskins - from clinching the NFC East.
The Vikings remain a game behind the NFC leaders, but put some serious distance between themselves and the division-rival Lions with their Thanksgiving Day victory.
The Rams won the much-anticipated showdown with the Saints on Sunday to remain a leg up for the No. 3 seed, and also kept their one-game lead over the Seahawks in the NFC West.
A trio of representatives from the NFC South have designs on the final three conference playoff spots.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Seahawks | West | 7-4 |
| 8 | Lions | North | 6-5 |
| 9 | Packers | North | 5-6 |
| 10 | Cowboys | East | 5-6 |
| 11 | Redskins | East | 5-6 |
| 12 | Cardinals | West | 5-6 |
The Seahawks' Monday night loss to the Falcons last week has already had an adverse effect, as they have been bumped from a playoff spot by Atlanta.
With five weeks remaining in the season, the Seahawks and Lions stand as the closest challengers to shake up the NFC playoff picture, as it currently stands.
