Playoff Picture: Dolphins vault into playoff spot
Week 13 of the NFL season didn't exactly take a sledgehammer to the playoff picture - each of the eight division leaders remain intact - but there were some important wins from teams jockeying for position in the crowded wild-card races.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patriots | East | 9-3 |
| 2 | Broncos | West | 9-3 |
| 3 | Bengals | North | 8-3-1 |
| 4 | Colts | South | 8-4 |
| 5 (WC) | Chargers | West | 8-4 |
| 6 (WC) | Dolphins | East | 7-5 |
X - Clinched Playoff Berth Y - Clinched Division Title Z - Clinched Bye
In The Hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Chiefs | West | 7-5 |
| 8 | Bills | East | 7-5 |
| 9 | Ravens | North | 7-5 |
| 10 | Steelers | North | 7-5 |
| 11 | Browns | North | 7-5 |
| 12 | Texans | South | 6-6 |
The Miami Dolphins moved into the final playoff spot with their victory over the New York Jets on Monday. They own the tiebreaker among the six 7-5 teams and face a critical showdown next week against the Baltimore Ravens.
The New England Patriots' loss in Green Bay allowed the Denver Broncos to draw even for the top spot in the AFC. New England's win over Denver in their earlier meeting give the Patriots the tiebreaker between the two.
The Cincinnati Bengals not only came away with a win in their game in Tampa Bay, but they also watched each of their AFC North rivals lose their games, helping the team move a full game ahead in the division. They draw the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.
The San Diego Chargers currently sit ahead of a group of six teams jockeying for the wild-card spots thanks to a come-from-behind win in Baltimore - their third win in a row.
The New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oakland Raiders have all been eliminated from playoff contention.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | West | 9-3 |
| 2 | Packers | North | 9-3 |
| 3 | Eagles | East | 9-3 |
| 4 | Falcons | South | 5-7 |
| 5 (WC) | Seahawks | West | 8-4 |
| 6 (WC) | Lions | North | 8-4 |
X - Clinched Playoff Berth Y - Clinched Division Title Z - Clinched Bye
In The Hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Cowboys | East | 8-4 |
| 8 | 49ers | West | 7-5 |
| 9 | Saints | South | 5-7 |
| 10 | Bears | North | 5-7 |
| 11 | Vikings | North | 5-7 |
| 12 | Rams | West | 5-7 |
| 13 | Panthers | South | 3-8-1 |
| 16 | Buccaneers | South | 2-10 |
The Arizona Cardinals looked like they would run away with the NFC, holding a two-game lead just two weeks ago, but they've been caught by the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles picked up a big win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, and the Seattle Seahawks did the same against the San Francisco 49ers. Both winners remain in the playoff picture, while the two losers are on the outside looking in.
The New Orleans Saints held the NFC South division lead for a few hours, but the Atlanta Falcons claimed it right back with their win over the Cardinals in the mid-afternoon slate.
The New York Giants and Washington Redskins have all been eliminated from playoff contention.