The Chiefs are a step closer to clinching the AFC West. Here’s a look at the NFL standings.
With Week 12 finally in the books, the Kansas City Chiefs are just two games away from clinching the AFC West. With a win next week against the Denver Broncos and a loss by the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets, the Chiefs would be able to clinch the division with four weeks left in the season.
The NFL’s week only just ended, as we had to wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens to play on Wednesday afternoon after being rescheduled several times. The game was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving last week, but was postponed because the Ravens had a massive COVID-19 outbreak. At one point, the Ravens had 20 players on the COVID-19/reserve list. The game was postponed to Sunday, then Monday, then Tuesday, then finally Wednesday when it was able to be played.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and claimed their tenth victory of the season. The Chiefs started out red-hot, scoring 17 points in the first quarter. During this quarter, wide receiver Tyreek Hill amassed a spectacular 203 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 catches. However, after their crazy start to the game, the Chiefs slowed down a bit.
The Buccaneers fought their way back into the game and, with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, made it just a three point game. The Chiefs were able to hold on behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes to pull off the win. Mahomes completed 37/49 passes for 462 yards and 3 touchdowns to pull off a 27-24 win.
The playoff picture is continuing to heat up, with the current seeding in the AFC looking like this:
- Pittsburgh Steelers 11-0-0
- Kansas City Chiefs 10-1-0
- Tennessee Titans 8-3-0
- Buffalo Bills 8-3-0
- Cleveland Browns 8-3-0
- Miami Dolphins 7-4-0
- Indianapolis Colts 7-4-0
On the outside looking in are the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens, who sit at 6-5. The New England Patriots’ road is tough, but they are still in the hunt for a wildcard spot as they are currently at a 5-6 record.
The NFC playoff seeding looks like this:
- New Orleans Saints 9-2-0
- Seattle Seahawks 8-3-0
- Green Bay Packers 8-3-0
- New York Giants 4-7-0
- Los Angeles Rams 7-4-0
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-5-0
- Arizona cardinals 6-5-0
In contention for a wildcard spot are the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers who all sit at 5-6. The entire NFC East is, somehow, also in contention for a playoff spot as the division continues to be the worst division in football with the New York Giants and Washington Football Team tied at 4-7, the Philadelphia Eagles at 3-7-1, and the Dallas Cowboys at 3-8.
Here’s a look at the full NFL standings:
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills 8-3-0
- Miami Dolphins 7-4-0
- New England Patriots 5-6-0
- New York Jets 0-11-0
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs 10-1-0
- Las Vegas Raiders 6-5-0
- Denver Broncos 4-7-0
- Los Angeles Chargers 3-8-0
AFC North
- Pittsburgh Steelers 11-0-0
- Cleveland Browns 8-3-0
- Baltimore Ravens 6-5-0
- Cincinnati Bengals 2-8-1
AFC South
- Tennessee Titans 8-3-0
- Indianapolis Colts 7-4-0
- Houston Texans 4-7-0
- Jacksonville Jaguars 1-10-0
NFC East
- New York Giants 4-7-0
- Washington Football Team 4-7-0
- Philadelphia Eagles 3-7-1
- Dallas Cowboys 3-8-0
NFC West
- Seattle Seahawks 8-3-0
- Los Angeles Rams 7-4-0
- Arizona Cardinals 6-5-0
- San Francisco 49ers 5-6-0
NFC North
- Green Bay Packers 8-3-0
- Minnesota Vikings 5-6-0
- Chicago Bears 5-6-0
- Detroit Lions 4-7-0
NFC South
- New Orleans Saints 9-2-0
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-5-0
- Atlanta Falcons 4-7-0
- Carolina Panthers 4-8-0