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Week 15 has arrived, leaving less than three weeks into the 2020 NFL regular season. Every win means while trying to lock in the standings, division titles or places to advance to the playoffs, while every loss is devastating.
The playoff field expanded by one team each in the AFC and the NFC to a total of 14 made the end of season results more interesting. Based on the current leaderboard, here’s an updated look at what each conference tournament would look like if the playoffs started now:
WEEK 15: Sporting News’ latest NFL power rankings
NFL Ranking for Week 15
AFC playoff photo
Who would be in it?
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1), champions, AFC West. The Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions, are back in their place, as the undisputed seed with likely MVP Patrick Mahomes. They clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Broncos in Week 13 and won another division title with a win over the Dolphins in Week 14. They can focus on the lone bye and the field advantage after climbing a full game over the Steelers. . Remaining calendar: to NO, against ATL, against LAC
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2), first place, AFC North. The Steelers shockingly lost to Washington at home in Week 13 to dash their hopes of a perfect season, then took another big blow to the Bills in Week 14. They still lead the Browns by two games in. division and hold the lead – the lead tiebreaker plus the division record tiebreaker. The Steelers nabbed a playoff berth with a loss to the Raiders, but now know they’ll be chasing the Chiefs. Remaining calendar: at CIN, vs IND, at CLE
3. Buffalo Bills (11-3), champions, AFC Est. The Bills clinched their Premier League title in a quarter of a century and their second straight playoff spot with a win over the Broncos on Saturday in Denver. Their win over the Steelers in Week 14 was key to securing a top-three seed as they lost to the Titans. Remaining calendar: at NE, against MIA
4. Tennessee Titans (9-4), first place, AFC South. The Titans are a longer shot to move to catch the Chiefs, which they don’t play, and they’ve lost to the Steelers already. They have a key win over the Bills, but failed to beat the Browns in Week 13 to solidify their playoff position. They hold the division record against the Colts. Remaining calendar: vs DET, in GB, in HOU
5. Cleveland Browns (9-4), second place, AFC North. The Browns, despite their Monday night loss to the Ravens, still hold the top spot in the wild card thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Colts and a full game against the Dolphins. The Browns also have a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Titans if the South changes hands in the past three weeks. Catching the Steelers is next to impossible despite the race’s tightening lately. Remaining calendar: in NYG, in NYJ, against PIT
6. Indianapolis Colts (9-4), second place, AFC South. The Colts are putting everything in place at the right time with one tough game to play: at the Steelers in Week 16. Their losses to the Browns and Ravens hurt, so beating the Texans and Raiders two to four was huge. This allowed them to form a virtual bond with the Titans, with whom they parted ways. They have to keep winning to keep pace and hope the Titans stumble once. Remaining calendar: against HOU, at PIT, against JAX
7. Miami Dolphins (8-5), second place, AFC Est. The Dolphins still have that wildcard spot ahead of the Ravens because their conference record is better halfway through the game. They fell a full game behind No.6 with their loss to the Chiefs and the Colts’ victory in Las Vegas. They still have to host New England and go to Buffalo and have another tough game outside the division on the road against the Raiders in Week 16. Remaining calendar: vs NE, at LV, at BUF
Who can do it?
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
9. Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)
The Ravens close with winnable games against the Jaguars, Giants and Bengals trying to catch the Dolphins, who so far hold a small tiebreaker against them. The Ravens now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Colts and Browns, but lose it to the Titans. The Raiders are hanging on to a threat after back-to-back home losses to the Colts and Chargers.
Who is probably missing?
10. New England Patriots (6-7)
11. Denver Broncos (5-9)
Who is outside
12. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
13. Houston Texans (4-9)
14. Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12)
16. New York Jets (0-13)
The Patriots became inconsistent in returning to the wildcard race, and their loss to the Rams in Week 14 kept them from climbing back above .500. The Broncos and Texans have been doing better than expected lately, but both teams are thinking more about next year. The Chargers can think of what could have been with all of their losses close. The Bengals were finished when Joe Burrow fell in Week 11. The Jaguars and Jets are battling for the top pick in the draft and both lost in unbalanced games in Week 14 to keep the draft in order. .
MORE: The NFL Extended Playoffs, Explained
NFC playoff image
Who would be in it?
1. Green Bay Packers (11-3), champions, NFC North. The Packers had a great Week 14 with their win over the Lions. They clinched a second straight division title with the losing Vikings. They got the bonus of jumping into the seed because the Saints, whom they beat, lost to the Eagles. They followed it all up by hanging on to beat the Panthers in Week 15. The Packers just have one tough game, the Titans in Week 16, and it’s at Lambeau Field. They should be successful in their quest to retain the field advantage and the only bye of the NFC playoffs. Remaining calendar: vs TEN, at CHI
2. New Orleans Saints (10-3), first place, NFC South. The Saints finally suffered their first loss with Taysom Hill replacing Drew Brees in quarterback as their offense and defense started too slow and couldn’t make up for the loss to the Eagles in Week 14. The Saints have already clinched a playoff spot with their win and loss to the Bears in Week 13. They’ll always win another Southern title with one more win or one loss for the Buccaneers. Remaining calendar: vs KC, vs MIN, in CAR
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-4), first place, NFC West. The Rams remained in first place in Week 14 after dominating the Patriots. The Rams own the head-to-head tiebreak for the division due to their Week 10 victory over the Seahawks. They face the Seahawks and Cardinals a second time each to end the season as they try to clinch their third visioning title in four seasons. Remaining calendar: against NYJ, at SEA, against ARI
4. Washington Football Team (6-7), 1st place, NFC Est. Washington jumped here ahead of the 49ers game in Week 14 when the Giants, to whom he lost twice, lost to the Cardinals in the early afternoon window. Washington maintained their position with a win over the 49ers, riding a full game over the Giants and keeping pace with the winning Cowboys and Eagles. WFT must finish a game in front of the Giants because they have lost twice to the Giants. Remaining calendar: vs SEA, vs CAR, at PHI
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-4), second place, NFC West. The Seahawks did very well at home against the Jets in Week 14 after losing to another New York team, the Giants, in Week 13. They kept pace with the Rams and the division is expected to advance. for the match of week 16 after a difficult test in Washington in week 15. The first or second place of choice for the jokers still seems assured. Remaining calendar: at WAS, vs LAR, at SF
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) second place, NFC South. After a pass in Week 13, the Bucs are simply focused on maintaining a wild card with the Saints retiring to the division. They scored a very important victory to that end against the Vikings at home in Week 14. They are still in 5th or 6th place when they advance to the playoffs with an easy closing slate. Remaining calendar: at ATL, at DET, vs. THAT YOU
7. Arizona Cardinals (7-6), third place, NFC South. The Cardinals regained their playoff position and ended a three-game losing streak with their important win at the Giants in Week 14, keeping them one step ahead for that spot. They have little room for error with the Vikings and Bears right behind them. They have a favorable finish except for the Rams on the road in Week 17. Remaining calendar: vs PHI, vs SF, at LAR
Who can do it?
8. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
9. Chicago Bear (6-7)
12. New York Giants (5-8)
The Vikings fell here with their loss to the Buccaneers while the Bears fired even with their victory over the Texans. The Giants came down here with their loss to the Cardinals and stayed here with Washington winning.
Who is probably missing?
10. San Francisco 49ers (5-8)
11. Detroit Lions (5-8)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)
14. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
15. Dallas Cowboys (4-9)
16. Carolina Panthers (4-10)
The Lions and Falcons are here after both firing their coaches during the season. The 49ers joined them with back-to-back home losses to the Bills and Washington. The Panthers’ Week 15 loss in rebuilding to Green Bay was their eighth loss in one possession this season. The Eagles and Cowboys had key wins in Week 14 to stay alive in the divisional race, but it still doesn’t look good with Washington and the Giants winning one game yet to come.
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