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NFL playoff picture in Week 12: Who's in and out heading into Sunday?

christian d'andrea
·2-min read
Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Week 12 means we're two-thirds of the way through the 2024 NFL regular season. While that makes it far too early to know exactly which 14 teams are bound for the playoffs and who'll make up the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, we've got a solid idea how things are shaping up.

The Buffalo Bills, can clinch their fifth-straight AFC East title as early as next weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs have a 4.5-game cushion between their place at the top of the conference and the Indianapolis Colts' spot as the last team out of the bracket. The Detroit Lions still have to fight in a brutal NFC North this winter, but they're on the inside track to the conference's top seed and a Wild Card bye this January.

What are the current playoff standings headed into Week 12? And how does the top of next year's draft look? We've got you covered.

Who's currently in the AFC side of the bracket?

Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1, AFC West leaders)

  2. Buffalo Bills (9-2, AFC East leaders)

  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3, AFC North leaders)

  4. Houston Texans (7-4, AFC South leaders)

  5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

  6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

  7. Denver Broncos (6-5)

Who's still in the AFC playoff hunt?

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-6)

9. Miami Dolphins (4-6)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

Who's probably out of the AFC playoff hunt?

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field after losing to the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field after losing to the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

11. New York Jets (3-8)

12. New England Patriots (3-8)

13. Cleveland Browns (3-8)

14. Tennessee Titans (2-8)

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

Who's currently in the NFC side of the bracket?

Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) waves at fans as he exits the field after 52-6 win over Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) waves at fans as he exits the field after 52-6 win over Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

  1. Detroit Lions (9-1, NFC North leaders)

  2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2, NFC East leaders)

  3. Arizona Cardinals (6-5, NFC West leaders)

  4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5, NFC South leaders)

  5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)

  6. Green Bay Packers (7-3)

  7. Washington Commanders (7-4)

Who's still in the NFC playoff hunt?

Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

8. Los Angeles Rams (5-5)

9. Seattle Seahawks (5-5)

10. San Francisco 49ers (5-5)

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)

12. Chicago Bears (4-6)

Who's probably out of the NFL playoff hunt?

Nov 10, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) fumbles the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) fumbles the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

13. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

14. Carolina Panthers (3-8)

15. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)

16. New York Giants (2-8)

What does the top of the 2025 NFL Draft currently look like?

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: Evan Engram #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts with Brenton Strange #85 after a touchdown reception against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151436 ORIG FILE ID: 2181393013
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: Evan Engram #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts with Brenton Strange #85 after a touchdown reception against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151436 ORIG FILE ID: 2181393013

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9, Strength of schedule: .492)

  2. Tennessee Titans (2-8, .514)

  3. New York Giants (2-8, .520)

  4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8, .525)

  5. New England Patriots (3-8, .472)

  6. New York Jets (3-8, .511)

  7. Cleveland Browns (3-8, .511)

  8. Carolina Panthers (3-7, .486)

  9. Dallas Cowboys (.525)

  10. New Orleans Saints (.483)

  11. Cincinnati Bengals (.491)

This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL playoff picture in Week 12: Who's in and out heading into Sunday?