Can you believe it? Only four weeks remain in the 2015 NFL season. We’re 13 weeks and 12 games into another wild season, and the final month of the year figures to provide plenty more twists and turns in the playoff race.
Here’s an in-depth look at the NFL’s postseason picture as the schedule hits Week 14:
AFC
1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-2)
2. Denver Broncos (10-2)
3. New England Patriots (10-2)
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)
6. New York Jets (7-5)
Other contenders: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5), Buffalo Bills (6-6), Houston Texans (6-6), Oakland Raiders (5-7), Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Biggest games in Week 14:
Steelers at Bengals
The Steelers are the best team in the NFL not currently in the postseason. That could change with a road win over the Bengals, who jumped up to the top seed in the AFC after Week 13. Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North with a win.
Raiders at Broncos
The Raiders haven’t beat the Broncos since Sept. of 2012, a span of eight consecutive games. Sunday would be a good time to snap the streak. Oakland is 5-7 and teetering on the brink of elimination. The Broncos could clinch the AFC West with a win and Chiefs loss to the Chargers.
Patriots at Texans
Despite falling to the No. 3 seed in Week 12, the Patriots can still clinch the AFC East with a win in Houston and a Jets loss to the Titans. Meanwhile, the Texans are 6-6 after snapping their four-game winning streak last Sunday in Buffalo. Luckily, Indianapolis also fell to 6-6 with a loss in Pittsburgh.
Giants at Dolphins
The Giants are still in the mix in the NFC East at 5-7. Every win is precious from here on out, especially with each team’s schedule over the final four games. The Dolphins are hanging on by the tiniest of threads for a wild card spot. Miami likely needs to win out.
NFC
1. Carolina Panthers (12-0)*
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
3. Green Bay Packers (8-4)
4. Washington Redskins (5-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (8-4)
6. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Other contenders: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), Atlanta Falcons (6-6), Philadelphia Eagles(5-7), New York Giants (5-7), Chicago Bears (5-7), Dallas Cowboys (4-8)
*Clinched the NFC South
Biggest games in Week 14:
Vikings at Cardinals
The Vikings have lost two out of three games since starting 7-2. A stabilizing win on Thursday won’t be easy, especially on the road in Arizona. The Cardinals have won six straight games and are closing in on an NFC West title. Arizona can clinch with a win against Minnesota and a Seattle loss to Baltimore.
Cowboys at Packers
Amazingly, the Cowboys are 4-8 and just one game back in the NFC East. Who knows, maybe it’ll only take two wins over the final four games to win the division. It’s possible. With 10 days to prep after the miracle in Detroit, the Packers can’t afford to throw away an opportunity to get to nine wins against Matt Cassel at home.
Bills at Eagles
Both the Bills and Eagles scored big wins in Week 13, with Buffalo taking down the Texans and Philadelphia upsetting the Patriots in New England. If either team can afford a loss in Week 14, it’s probably the Eagles. The 6-6 Bills need to keep up in the AFC’s muddled wild card hunt, while Philadelphia plays in the league’s worst division.
Saints at Buccaneers
The Saints, for all intents and purposes, are done. The Bucs are not. At 6-6, Tampa Bay is still alive, but there’s a small margin for error over the final four games. Sunday at home is a must win.
Redskins at Bears
The Redskins bungled away a chance at full control in the NFC East on Monday night. It wasn’t the end of the world, given that the four teams in the division have a combined 19 wins this season. The Bears, who also kicked away a win in Week 13, have entered can’t-lose territory.
Falcons at Panthers
The Falcons have lost five straight after starting the season 5-0. At 6-6, Atlanta absolutely needs a big win to get back on track. The Panthers already clinched the division, but now a bigger goal is there: the perfect season.