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NFL playoff picture: How did Week 12 shake up the standings in the AFC and the NFC?

NFL playoff picture: How did Week 12 shake up the standings in the AFC and the NFC?

We have reached Thanksgiving week here in the United States.

And in the National Football League, some teams have more reasons to be thankful than others.

Another wild slate of NFL action shook up the standings, where we have a new team atop the conference in the AFC, a new division leader in the AFC as well, and a host of teams fighting for their playoff lives.

What are the AFC playoff standings?

Here is how things stand in the AFC:

1. New England Patriots (10-2)
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
7. Buffalo Bills (7-4)

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
9. Houston Texans (6-5)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5)
11. Miami Dolphins (4-7)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8)
13. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)
15. New York Jets (2-9)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-10)

Let’s start at the top of the conference. With the Denver Broncos on a bye week, the door was open for the New England Patriots to ease ahead of them atop the conference standings. It was not pretty for the Patriots against the Cincinnati Bengals — and the health of their offensive line is now an issue after a few key players left due to injuries — but New England’s win moves them to the top spot for now.

The Indianapolis Colts slide back to No. 3 in the AFC after their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (more on them in a moment) and we have a new team at No. 4. After starting the year 1-5 the Baltimore Ravens, winners of five straight games, now lead the AFC North. Baltimore improved to 6-5 with Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, while the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped to 6-5 thanks to their loss to the Chicago Bears.

At the moment Baltimore holds the tiebreaker edge thanks to a better division record (2-0 versus 2-1 for Pittsburgh). That sees the Steelers slide out of the playoffs entirely.

We then see three 7-4 teams (the Chargers, the Jaguars, and the Bills) fill out slots five, six, and seven. Los Angeles slots in at No. 5 thanks to their 6-2 record in AFC play, while Jacksonville comes in at No. 6 thanks to a 4-2 record in conference games. Buffalo’s 4-3 record in conference play feels like it could be something to watch down the stretch.

Up next are the three 6-5 teams: Pittsburgh, Houston, and Kansas City. The Chiefs have a 3-4 record in the AFC, which drops them to No. 10, while the Steelers have a tiebreaker advantage over the Texans based on their Strength of Victory. So while Sunday’s win over the Colts was huge for Kansas City’s playoff hopes, there is still work to be done.

If the playoffs began today, the Patriots would be home while these would be the matchups on Wild Card Weekend:

  • No. 7 Buffalo at No. 2 Denver
  • No. 6 Jacksonville at No. 3 Indianapolis
  • No. 5 Los Angeles at No. 4 Baltimore

What are the NFC playoff standings?

Here is the state of play in the NFC:

1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
3. Chicago Bears (8-3)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
6. Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)
7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)

8. Detroit Lions (7-4)
9. Carolina Panthers (6-6)
10. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1)
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
12. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
13. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
14. Washington Commanders (3-8)
15. New Orleans Saints (2-9)
16. New York Giants (2-10)

Last week the Los Angeles Rams moved into the lead in the NFC West with their win over the Seattle Seahawks.

This week, the Rams moved into the top spot in the conference.

With the Philadelphia Eagles losing to the Dallas Cowboys, and the Rams defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, the Rams are now sitting in the No. 1 spot in the NFC.

Philadelphia slides down to No. 2 after their loss to the Cowboys, while the Chicago Bears are still in the No. 3 spot after their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Buccaneers’ loss to the Rams dropped Tampa Bay leve with the Carolina Panthers at 6-5, the Buccaneers still hold the lead in the division thanks to a 2-0 record in NFC South play, compared with a 2-1 mark for the Panthers.

But Carolina can move into first with a win later tonight over the San Francisco 49ers.

Moving to the bottom of the playoff picture in the NFC, as things stand the 49ers are in over the Detroit Lions. Both teams have 7-4 records but at the moment the 49ers have the tiebreaker edge based on NFC record, 7-2 versus 4-3 for Detroit.

And yes, the Cowboys are hanging around.

At the very bottom of the standings, the Giants were the first team officially eliminated with their loss to the Lions.

If the playoffs began today the Rams would have the lone bye week in the NFC. These would be the three matchups on Wild Card Weekend:

  • No. 7 San Francisco at No. 2 Philadelphia
  • No. 6 Green Bay at No. 3 Chicago
  • No. 5 Seattle at No. 4 Tampa Bay

What about 49ers-Panthers?

A few weeks ago, tonight’s game between the Panthers and the 49ers did not seem like it would be pivotal for the NFC playoff picture.

But that is just how fast things can change in the NFL.

Right now the Buccaneers and Panthers are tied atop the NFC South standings, with Tampa Bay winning the tiebreaker based on a better record in division play. But if the Panthers win tonight, they’ll move into sole possession of first place in the division. That would also drop the 49ers out of a playoff spot, and bump the Lions up into the seventh spot in the NFC.

A 49ers win, however, keeps San Francisco in as the No. 7 seed, and also keeps Tampa Bay atop the NFC South and in the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the NFC.

Update: With San Francisco’s win, the 49ers remain in the playoff picture as the No. 7 seed, and Tampa Bay remains atop the NFC South. Carolina stays in the No. 8 spot, but have a tiebreaker advantage over the Cowboys for that position based on a win over Dallas.

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#NFL #playoff #picture #Week #shake #standings #AFC #NFC

োস্টন স্টেডিয়ামে চলমান ২০২৬ ফিফা ফুটবল বিশ্বকাপের নকআউট পর্বে জার্মানি ও প্যারাগুয়ের মধ্যকার ম্যাচটি এখন চরম উত্তেজনাকর মুহূর্তে রূপ নিয়েছে। প্রথমার্ধের ৪২ মিনিটে হুলিও এনসিসোর গোলে প্যারাগুয়ে এগিয়ে গিয়ে চমক দেখালেও, দ্বিতীয়ার্ধের শুরুতেই ৫৪ মিনিটে দারুণ এক হেডার থেকে গোল করে জার্মানিকে ১-১ সমতায় ফেরান কাই হাভার্টজ।

সমতা ফেরার পর জুলিয়ান নাগেলসম্যান আক্রমণ আরও জোরদার করতে ৬২ মিনিটে ডেনিজ উন্দাভের পরিবর্তে মাঠ নামিয়েছেন তারকা মিডফিল্ডার জামাল মুসিয়ালাকে। অন্যদিকে প্যারাগুয়ে তাদের গোলদাতা এনসিসোকে তুলে নিয়ে মাউরিসিওকে মাঠে নামিয়েছে। দুই দলেরই শেষ ১৬-তে যাওয়ার লড়াইয়ে ম্যাচটি এখন উন্মুক্ত। ম্যাচটি সরাসরি দেখা যাচ্ছে ZEE5 অ্যাপ ও ওয়েবসাইটে।

#জরমন #বনম #পযরগয #লইভ #সকর #কমবযক #জরমনর #হভরটজর #দরদনত #গল #সমতয় #ফরল #ডই #মনশফট">জার্মানি বনাম প্যারাগুয়ে লাইভ স্কোর: কামব্যাক জার্মানির! হাভার্টজের দুর্দান্ত গোলে সমতায় ফিরল ডাই মানশাফট  Kai Havertz celebrates scoring for Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match against Paraguay. 
                                                                          | Photo Credit:  
                                      Getty Images via AFP
                                                                      
                        Kai Havertz celebrates scoring for Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match against Paraguay.
                                                  | Photo Credit:  
                          Getty Images via AFP
                                              োস্টন স্টেডিয়ামে চলমান ২০২৬ ফিফা ফুটবল বিশ্বকাপের নকআউট পর্বে জার্মানি ও প্যারাগুয়ের মধ্যকার ম্যাচটি এখন চরম উত্তেজনাকর মুহূর্তে রূপ নিয়েছে। প্রথমার্ধের ৪২ মিনিটে হুলিও এনসিসোর গোলে প্যারাগুয়ে এগিয়ে গিয়ে চমক দেখালেও, দ্বিতীয়ার্ধের শুরুতেই ৫৪ মিনিটে দারুণ এক হেডার থেকে গোল করে জার্মানিকে ১-১ সমতায় ফেরান কাই হাভার্টজ।সমতা ফেরার পর জুলিয়ান নাগেলসম্যান আক্রমণ আরও জোরদার করতে ৬২ মিনিটে ডেনিজ উন্দাভের পরিবর্তে মাঠ নামিয়েছেন তারকা মিডফিল্ডার জামাল মুসিয়ালাকে। অন্যদিকে প্যারাগুয়ে তাদের গোলদাতা এনসিসোকে তুলে নিয়ে মাউরিসিওকে মাঠে নামিয়েছে। দুই দলেরই শেষ ১৬-তে যাওয়ার লড়াইয়ে ম্যাচটি এখন উন্মুক্ত। ম্যাচটি সরাসরি দেখা যাচ্ছে ZEE5 অ্যাপ ও ওয়েবসাইটে।  #জরমন #বনম #পযরগয #লইভ #সকর #কমবযক #জরমনর #হভরটজর #দরদনত #গল #সমতয় #ফরল #ডই #মনশফট

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close

Plenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.

That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.

The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.

It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.

Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:

“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”

Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.

Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com">Why Miami Football Is Poised to Return to College Football’s Elite | Deadspin.com   Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s closePlenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?Well…Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.   #Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com

The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.

That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.

The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.

It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.

Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:

“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”

Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.

Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com">Why Miami Football Is Poised to Return to College Football’s Elite | Deadspin.com

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close

Plenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.

That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.

The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.

It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.

Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:

“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”

Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.

Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com
Celebrities At The Los Angeles Lakers Game
Celebrities At The Los Angeles Lakers Game

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James speaks with Stephen Curry following a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Getty Images

#LeBron #James #Warriors #suddenly #doesnt #sound #crazy">LeBron James to the Warriors suddenly doesn’t sound so crazy  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James speaks with Stephen Curry following a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) Getty Images  #LeBron #James #Warriors #suddenly #doesnt #sound #crazy

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