NFL standings Updated AFC NFC playoff picture after Week 12

Posted by seestyle on July 25th, 2022

The 2021 NFL season is into double-digit weeks and closer to the endof its new 17-game schedule. It's time again tocheck in on the updated standings and what the playoff picture is looking like after Week 12 heading into the weekend games of Week 13.

The league kept its expanded playoff field, with 14 of its 32 teams (43.8 percent) set to qualify for the latest postseason. That includes 7 each from the AFC and NFC, with only the No. 1 seeds getting byes on top of home-field advantage.

Who would be in, who's still in contention, and who should be thinking about next season? Here's a comprehensive look:

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Patriots, 49ers, Buccaneers surge as Rams, Steelers tumble into Week 13

NFL standings forWeek 12AFC playoff picture

Who would be in?

1. Baltimore Ravens (8-3), first place, AFC North.The Ravens made sure to stay ahead of the Patriots in the race for Minnesota Vikings Accessories the No. 1 seed and the Bengals for the division lead by beating the Browns at home on Sunday night.Balitmore still has a tough slate ahead but is finding ways to win even when not at its best on either side of the ball. The Ravens still have four division games left and two daunting NFC foes awaiting.Remaining schedule:at PIT, at CLE, vs. GB, at CIN, vs. LAR, vs. PIT

2. New England Patriots (8-4), firstplace, AFC East.The Patriots matched the Bills' result of Week 12 to jump back on top in the division by a half-game. They are behind the Ravens with a le ser winning percentage having played more two games. Their win over the Titans gave them the tiebreaker for No, 2, too.Remaining schedule: vs. BUF, BYE, at IND, vs. BUF, vs.JAX, at MIA

3. Tenne see Titans (8-4), first place, AFC South.The Titans slipped from No. Jeff Gladney Jerseys 1 with their lo s to the Patriots, falling a full game behind the Ravens and and staying only a half-game ahead of the Chiefs, whomthey beat earlier in the season, along with the Bills. The Titans still don't need to worry about the Remaining schedule:BYE, vs. JAX, at PIT, vs. SF, vs. MIA, at HOU

4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4), firstplace, AFC West.The Chiefs stayed here after beating the Cowboys because they lost to both the Titans and Ravens and the Patriots have the superior conference record, too. A win was huge to keep staying ahead of the Chargers.The Chiefs get a much-needed bye in Week 12. Remaining schedule: vs.DEN, vs.LV, at LAC, vs.PIT, at CIN, at DEN

5. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4), secondplace, AFC North.The Justin Jefferson Hoodies Sweatshirts Bengals have surged back into wild-card and division playoff contention with key consecutive big wins over the Raiders and Steelers after the bye. They beat the Ravens on the road earlier and can end up in first place if the Ravens lose to the Browns. They hold the tiebreaker for this spot over the Bills with a better conference record.There is nothing easy left on the slate, however.Remaining schedule: vs. LAC, vs. SF, at DEN, vs. BAL, vs. KC, at CLE

6. Buffalo Bills (7-4), secondplace, AFC East.The Bills dropped down here after their win over the Saints because the Patriots responded by taking care of the Titans.They will get their shot to catch and pa s the Patriots next Monday night. Other than New England twice, Buffalo has a big challenge left against Tampa Bay. Remaining schedule: vs. Ameer Abdullah Jerseys NE, at TB, vs.CAR, at NE, vs. ATL, NYJ.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (6-5), second place, AFC West. The Chargers lost badly to the Broncos on the road to blow a big opportunity to maintain the pace with the Bengals, Raiders and Billswinning. They get a head-to-head shot with the Bengals with a chance to move up in Week 13.Remaining schedule:at CIN, vs. NYG, vs. KC, at HOU, vs. DEN, at LV

Who can get there?

8. Denver Broncos(6-5)9. Las Vegas Raiders(6-5)10. Indianapols Colts (6-6)11. Cleveland Browns(6-6)12. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5-1)

The Raiders won to help themselves in Week 12, while theSteelers and Colts lost to fall behind them. The Browns wasted a big opportunity against the Ravnes on Sunday night, while the Broncos took advantage of theirs against the Chargers.

Who's set to be out?

13. Miami Dolphins (5-7)14. New York Jets (3-8)15. Houston Texans (2-9)16. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

The Dolphins have won four consecutive games after a 1-7 start in a climb toward respectability, but it's too little, too late for a playoff push. The Jets separated themselves from the bottom two with a win over the Texans and they still also play the Jaguars.

NFL PICKS WEEK 12:|

NFC playoff picture

Who would be in?

1. Arizona Cardinals (9-2), first place, NFC West.The Cardinals did their best togrind home an impre sive road victory in Seattle once again without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. They already jumped up back here after Everson Griffen Jerseys the Packers lost to the Vikings in Week 11. The Cardinals are enjoying a bye in Week 12.Remaining schedule: at CHI, vs LAR, at DET, vs. IND, at DAL, vs. SEA

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3), first place, NFC North.The Packers took care of busine s against the Rams to move within a half-game of the idle Cardinals, whom they beat, for the top seed. In the proce s, they also helped the Cardinals grow a bigger lead in their division. Now they can rest up. and hope the Cardinals get upset by the Bears in Week 13.Remaining schedule:BYE, vs. CHI, at BAL, vs. CLE, vs. MIN, at DET

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-3), first place, NFC South.The Buccaneers used Week 12's win over the Colts to push closer to the top seed. They again jumped the Cowboys, who lost, Patrick Jones II Jerseys and are behind the Packers for No. 2 with a le ser conference record. Tampa Bay neededthe second straight victorybadly after losing two consecutive games around a bye with Tom Brady having rare interception woes.Remaining schedule:at ATL, vs. BUF, vs. NO, at CAR, at NYJ, vs. CAR

4. Dallas Cowboys(8-4), first place, NFC East.The Cowboys stayed here after beaing the Saints in Week 13 on the roadin NFC play on Thursday night to rebound from their interconference home lo s to the Raiders in Week 12.They moved up to only a game behind the Packers and a half-game behind the Buccaneers, to whom they lost in Week 1. They needed the win to create some separation between them and Washington,