As we get ready to head into Week 14, there are still a total of 12 playoff spots that will be up for grabs in the NFL over the final five weeks of the season.
In the AFC, two spots have already been clinched with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills both punching their ticket to the postseason in Week 13. The Bills clinched the AFC East, which means they’ll definitely be playing at least one home game in January. Based on the blizzard we saw in Buffalo in Week 13, that’s a home-field advantage that could come in handy.
In the NFC, all seven playoff spots are up for grabs, although we could see that change in Week 14 as the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles all have clinching scenarios this week.
So who will actually be making the postseason? Let’s get to this week’s playoff projections and find out.
These projections are based on data from number-cruncher Stephen Oh of SportsLine. Each week, Oh plugs some numbers into his SportsLine computer and simulates the rest of the NFL season. Using those numbers, we then project the 14 teams we expect to make the playoffs.
With that in mind, let’s get to the projections heading into Week 13.
AFC playoff projection
Here’s a list of the playoff chances for all the other AFC teams (their percentage chances of getting into the playoffs is listed next to them in parentheses): Colts (14.9%), Dolphins (7.6%), Bengals (1.4%), Titans (0.2%), Browns (0.0%), Jets (0.0%), Jaguars (Eliminated, Patriots (Eliminated), Raiders (Eliminated)
Note: The Browns and Jets aren’t eliminated from playoff contention, but their chances are listed at zero because the computer has given up on both of them. And I know what you’re thinking, I also can’t believe the computer has given up on Jameis Winston.
NFC playoff projection
Here’s a list of the playoff chances for all the other NFC teams (their percentage chances of getting into the playoffs is listed next to them in parentheses): Falcons (52.5%), Cardinals (27.3%), Rams (17%), 49ers (4.9%), Cowboys (1.7%), Saints (0.9%), Panthers (0.0%), Bears (0.0%), Giants (Eliminated)
Wild-card round projection
AFC
(7) Broncos at (2) Bills
(6) Ravens at (3) Steelers
(5) Chargers at (4) Texans
Bye: Chiefs
NFC
(7) Commanders at (2) Eagles
(6) Packers at (3) Seahawks
(5) Vikings at (4) Falcons
Bye: Lions
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