With the NFL calendar flipping well into November and Week 10 here, there are only two months left in the 2023 regular season. That’s a good time to check in on the league playoff picture to see what teams would be playing for Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas if this were the end of the season.
As usual, there’s a mix of powerhouses living up to expectations as contenders a good share of surprises in the NFL standings. On the flip side, there are also some major disappointments making up the pretenders.
Here’s looking at who would be in and who’s out in both conferences, from seeds No. 1 (home-field advantage) through No. 7 (third wild-card berth):
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NFL standings for Week 10
AFC playoff picture
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2), first place, AFC West. The Chiefs haven’t put it together offensively but the reigning Super Bowl 57 champions are getting it done with defense and more complete play. They are still the team to beat but that can change playing fellow contenders in the second half.
2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2), champions, AFC North. The Ravens are back in a big way and separating from tough division competition (for now) as everyone else in the North also is playoff positioned. Lamar Jackson has been playing well, but the real story is the defense going back to domination.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2), first place, AFC South. The Jaguars have picked up where they left off with their second-half run to the division title and advancing to the divisional playoffs. Their defense and running game are much improved, taking pressure off Trevor Lawrence under Doug Pederson in Year 2.
4. Miami Dolphins (6-3), first place, AFC East. The Dolphins have fallen hard to the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs, so they need to prove themselves more against the league’s better teams. But they are beating whom they should beat withour remorse.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3), second place, AFC North. The Steelers aren’t getting a lot of style points offensively and defensively, but Mike Tomlin once again has them with a winning record because of clutch playmaking along with mental and physical toughness. They should keep getting better to threaten the Ravens, whom they already beat.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-3), third place, AFC North. The Browns have a fantastic defense and that’s their foundation, along with a no-Nick Chubb running game. But Deshaun Watson and offensive injuries make their playoff position precarious.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3), fourth place, AFC North. The Bengals are playing the best football in the conference after a 0-2 start and somehow are still the last playoff team. They have a big chance to jump all the way to No. 1 in the second half.
Who’s in the hunt?
8. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
9. Houston Texans (4-4)
10. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4)
11. New York Jets (4-4)
12. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-5)
15. Denver Broncos (3-5)
16. New England Patriots (2-7)
The Bills have been disappointing so far, while the Texans have been a pleasant surprise. The Chargers and Jets are going in opposite directions after their Week 9 Monday night result. The Patriots having the worst record in the conference is a strange sight to behold.
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NFC playoff picture
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1), first place, NFC East. The Eagles are sorting through some challenges offensively and defensively that they didn’t have last year, but they are getting better through adversity with no signs of a Super Bowl hangover. The win over the Cowboys says they should take the division again.
2. Detroit Lions (6-2), first place, NFC North. The Lions are mighty all-around with few weaknesses so this strong position shouldn’t surprise anyone. They can do just about everything offensively and their young defense has them this high.
3. San Francisco 49ers (5-3), first place, NFC West. xThe 49ers’ defense isn’t as daunting with a limited pass rush and leaks in the secondary. But their offense can rev up again with explosiveness on top of reliability with Christian McCaffrey.
4. New Orleans Saints (5-4), first place, NFC South. The Saints have marched to the division lead by default by having the fewest offensive and defensive questions and the most key experience. Unlocking Taysom Hill again has been huge.
5. Seattle Seahawks (5-3), second place, NFC West. Geno Smith hasn’t played up to his 2022 level. The defense has had ups and downs against the pass and run. Yet they are for gritty play and improving health, coming together again for the coaching of Pete Carroll.
6. Dallas Cowboys (5-3), second place, NFC East. The Cowboys still can’t get over the Eagles hump and still have work to do just to make the playoffs. Dallas looks like a high-floor, low-ceiling playoff team again.
7. Minnesota Vikings (5-4), second place, NFC North. The Vikings are doing this without Justin Jefferson and now Kirk Cousins and recovering from a 0-3 start. They’re once again a magical comeback team, but can they keep it up with Josh Dobbs?
Who’s in the hunt?
8. Washington Commanders (4-5)
9. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
11. Green Bay Packers (3-5)
12. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)
13. Chicago Bears (3-7)
14. New York Giants (2-7)
If any teams can make a run here, it would be the Falcons and Buccaneers trying to rally and steal the NFC South from the inconsistent Saints. The one-win Cardinals and Panthers are vying for the worst record in the league.