Bills hand Chiefs their first loss, Steelers atop the AFC North
Mackenzie Salmon discusses the biggest storylines of Week 11 in the NFL.
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Throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates on the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture each week – beginning after late Sunday afternoon games and continuing throughout the rest of the week (through Monday’s games and Thursday). or Saturday, if applicable).
What just happened? What does it mean? What are the relevant factors (and perhaps the deciding factors) that are coming into prominence as each conference’s seven-person group begins to crystallize? Everything will be explained and analyzed up to the point where the postseason field is finalized on Sunday evening, January 5.
Here’s where things stand as week 11 of the 2024 season nears completion:
AFC play-off photo
1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1), AFC West leaders: Their first loss of the year could be significant, as the Bills now only need to catch up on the reigning Super Bowl champions by one game to take over the top spot. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2), AFC East leaders: They’ve won six in a row after toppling KC and a fifth consecutive division title is all but a foregone conclusion. And with that potentially crucial head-to-head tiebreaker in hand, the Bills could soon be steering the road to Super Bowl 59 through Western New York. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2), AFC North leaders: Their loss to the Ravens gives them breathing room at the top of the division and makes them a viable threat to secure home field advantage as well. Remaining schedule: at Browns, at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals
4. Houston Texans (6-4), AFC South leaders: They have some issues they need to work on, especially those related to injuries. But her should still on its way to a second straight division championship. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Titans, at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3), Wild Card No. 1: Their defense was quite tough. Their schedule was anything but – although that started to change on Sunday evening. Still, the Bolts are starting to build a nice bond between themselves and the clubs pursuing them — and are even ahead of next week’s opponent, Baltimore. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4), Wild Card No. 2: As good as they are, losses to the wrong teams could mean no home playoff games this season. Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns
7. Denver Broncos (6-5), Wild Card No. 3: They didn’t take their hooves off the gas on Sunday against Atlanta and, in a broader sense, can’t do it as they try to hold on to this spot. Remaining schedule: at Raiders, vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs
8. Indianapolis Colts (5-6), in the hunt: They have an important opportunity with the Broncos down the road. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars
9. Miami Dolphins (4-6), on the hunt: They build up steam and jumped Cincy with Sunday’s win. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), on the hunt: The crushing losses of the past two weeks may be too much to overcome. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers
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NFC Playoff Photo
1. Detroit Lions (9-1), NFC North leaders: After Sunday’s 52-6 walkover against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Lions’ biggest concern might be peaking too early. Remaining schedule: at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), NFC East leaders: Philly pulled away from Washington on Thursday night to solidify its hold on first place in the division — and might need that reinforcement later in the process. However, the Iggles now also officially pose a clear and present danger to Detroit. Remaining schedule: at Rams, at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants
3. Arizona Cardinals (6-4), NFC West leaders: A bye week interrupted their four-game series. But Atlanta’s loss also moved Arizona up one spot in seeding. The Cards’ 2-0 record in division games serves them well; their 3-3 mark in NFC games won’t help them in the tiebreaker division with Atlanta (6-2). Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5), NFC South leaders: A Bucs season win effectively gives Atlanta a three-game lead in the division. The Falcons don’t have much of an advantage over the suddenly emerging Saints. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers
5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2), Wild Card No. 1: They’ve won three straight, all against AFC South competition, to keep this spot – while staying a game behind Detroit in the NFC North. Remaining schedule: at Bears, vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions
6. Green Bay Packers (7-3), Wild Card No. 2: They were fortunate to escape Chicago with a win… which means they also remain relevant in the NFC North despite how dominant Detroit seems. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears
7. Washington Commanders (7-4), Wild Card No. 3: Thursday night’s loss to Philly hurts and costs Washington the seeding for the time being, but it should also be a learning experience. And the Commanders appear to have an easier lineup than Philly to beat the rest of the way, one that could keep them in contention for the NFC East throne. Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys, vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys
8. Los Angeles Rams (5-5), on the hunt: Wins over the 49ers and Seahawks give them a tenuous advantage among the conference’s currently .500 draw. Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, vs. Saints, vs. Bills, vs. 49ers, vs. Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
9. Seattle Seahawks (5-5), on the hunt: They are just 1-2 in the division, but that’s better than the Niners, who Seattle just split its season series with. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams
10. San Francisco 49ers (5-5), in the hunt: They fell to 1-3 in NFC West play, which dropped them to the conference table and could make it very difficult to win the division if it stays together. Remaining schedule: at Packers, at Bills, vs. Bears vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), on the hunt: They actually made up a bit of ground during their week off. Now if they can get key players like WR Mike Evans back, there’s a chance for a strong final kick. Remaining schedule: at Giants, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints
12. Chicago Bears (4-6), on the hunt: A four-match skid suggests they may not be in the hunt for much longer, especially considering what lies ahead. Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions vs. Seahawks, at Packers
13. New Orleans Saints (4-7), on the hunt: Under interim HC Darren Rizzi, they are 2-0. And considering the way the NFC South is compressing… Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Rams, at Giants, vs. Commanders, at Packers, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers
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