2024 NFL playoff picture: Updated AFC and NFC rankings, bracket, tiebreakers after Week 12

The NFL playoff race is heading into Thanksgiving and here’s how the playoff picture is shaping up ahead of Monday Night Football in Week 12:

NFC playoff picture

DEPARTMENT HEAD
1. Detroit Lions (10-1): 1-game lead in NFC North.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2): 2.5 games ahead in the NFC East.

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5): Own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Falcons and Cardinals.

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5): One game ahead in the NFC South.

WILD CARDS
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2): Lost at home to the Lions.

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3): Home loss to the Lions and Vikings.

7. Washington Commanders (7-5): They need to reverse their recent deficit.

FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKS IN
8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5): The loss to the Seahawks on Sunday was big.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6): Own the NFC record tiebreaker over the Rams.

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6): Winner in the direct tiebreaker against the 49ers.

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6): The preseason NFC favorites are in danger of missing the playoffs.

12. New Orleans Saints (4-7): Two games in division.

13. Chicago Bears (4-7): Deep in last place in the NFC North.

14. Dallas Cowboys (4-7): Thanksgiving against the Giants looks like a turkey.

15. Carolina Panthers (3-8): Playing much better football lately.

16. New York Giants (2-9): Worst team in the NFC.

AFC playoff picture

DEPARTMENT HEAD
1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1): The reigning champions are at the top of the conference.

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2): If they can catch the Chiefs in the standings, they will be in the direct tiebreaker.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): The straight win against the Ravens was great.

4. Houston Texans (7-5): They’re not playing well, but they should win the AFC South by default.

WILD CARDS
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3): The big game takes place on Monday night.

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4): The big game comes Monday night.

7. Denver Broncos (7-5): Bo Nix has given them a two-game lead in the wild-card race.

FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKS IN
8. Miami Dolphins (5-6): With Tua Tagovailoa healthy, they are playing like playoff contenders.

9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7): Catching the Texans in the AFC South will be a long road.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7): They will probably have to play through the standings to get into the playoffs.

11. Cleveland Browns (3-8): Deshaun Watson has dug a hole that Jameis Winston can’t get the Browns out of.

12. New York Jets (3-8): Aaron Rodgers’ experience is trending toward disaster.

13. Tennessee Titans (3-8): A big upset over the Texans on Sunday.

14. New England Patriots (3-9): Drake Maye is promising, but this team is far from competitive.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9): Doug Pederson is in the hot seat.

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9): Antonio Pierce is in the hot seat.