As we head into Week 13 of the NFL season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape, with several teams on the cusp of clinching a postseason spot. The Lions, Bills, and Chiefs are all in a position to secure a playoff berth this week if certain results go their way. For the Bills and Chiefs, a Dolphins loss to the Packers on Thursday night would pave the way for them to clinch a spot with a win in their upcoming games. The Bills could also make history by clinching a division title with five weeks left in the season, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the 2009 Colts.
Looking at the playoff projections for the AFC, the Dolphins have a 15.7% chance of making it to the postseason, followed by the Colts at 11.5% and the Bengals at 11.3%. On the other end of the spectrum, the Patriots and Raiders are facing slim odds, with their chances listed at 0.0% due to the computer simulations.
In the NFC, the Buccaneers lead the pack with a 46.7% chance of making the playoffs, followed closely by the Cardinals at 43.7% and the Seahawks at 16.5%. The Rams, Saints, and Cowboys are also in the mix, albeit with lower probabilities of clinching a spot.
As for the wild-card round projections, we could potentially see matchups such as the Broncos facing the Bills, the Chargers taking on the Ravens, and the Steelers going up against the Texans in the AFC. In the NFC, the Commanders could square off against the Eagles, the Packers might face the Falcons, and the Vikings could meet the Seahawks. The Lions would earn a bye in the NFC, while the Chiefs would do the same in the AFC.
With the playoff race heating up, it’s clear that every game from here on out will have significant implications for the teams vying for a postseason berth. As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, the battle for playoff spots is only going to intensify, making each matchup a must-watch for football fans across the country. Stay tuned as the race to the playoffs continues to unfold in the coming weeks.
