NFL Playoff Scenarios 2022-23: AFC, NFC Bracket Picture and Pre-Week 15 Odds
The San Francisco 49ers won the NFC West championship. The Minnesota Vikings secured the NFC North title. The Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth for the fourth straight season. That all happened in Week 15, with most of the week's action still to come.
On Thursday night, the 49ers became the second NFL team to secure a spot in the postseason (joining the Philadelphia Eagles) with their win over the Seattle Seahawks. Then on Saturday, the Vikings beat the Indianapolis Colts and the Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins, ensuring they'll both be heading to the playoffs as well.
More clinches could occur Sunday, when 11 games will be taking place. There are pivotal matchups throughout the day, and then the week's action will conclude with a Monday night contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers.
Here's a look at the latest Super Bowl odds, followed by the current playoff picture for both the AFC and NFC.
Latest Super Bowl Odds
Buffalo Bills: +310 (bet $100 to win $310)
Philadelphia Eagles: +425
Kansas City Chiefs: +500
San Francisco 49ers: +750
Dallas Cowboys: +900
Cincinnati Bengals: +1000
Baltimore Ravens: +2500
Minnesota Vikings: +2800
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +3000
Miami Dolphins: +3000
Los Angeles Chargers: +3500
Tennessee Titans: +6000
Washington Commanders: +6000
Detroit Lions: +9000
New England Patriots: +10000
Seattle Seahawks: +10000
New York Jets: +10000
Cleveland Browns: +15000
Carolina Panthers: +15000
Jacksonville Jaguars: +15000
New York Giants: +20000
Green Bay Packers: +25000
New Orleans Saints: +40000
Las Vegas Raiders: +40000
Atlanta Falcons: +50000
Pittsburgh Steelers: +60000
Arizona Cardinals: +70000
Los Angeles Rams: +80000
Indianapolis Colts: +80000
AFC Playoff Picture
Division Leaders
1. Buffalo Bills (11-3, clinched playoff berth)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
4. Tennessee Titans (7-6)
Wild-Card Leaders
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
6. Miami Dolphins (8-6)
7. New England Patriots (7-6)
In the Hunt
8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
9. New York Jets (7-6)
10. Cleveland Browns (6-8)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8)
14. Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)
Not only did the Bills clinch a playoff berth on Saturday night, but they extended their AFC East lead to three games over the second-place Dolphins. Buffalo still has the incentive to keep winning, though, as it hasn't yet clinched the division title. And it will also be trying to secure the No. 1 seed.
The Chiefs have an opportunity to clinch their seventh consecutive AFC West title on Sunday. They'd also secure the division championship if the Chargers lose to the Titans.
The Bengals can take control of the AFC North race with a win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. If they lose, though, the Ravens will move back into first place, even though they lost to the Browns on Saturday. Baltimore beat Cincinnati in Week 5, but the two teams will meet again in Week 18.
Tennessee has lost three straight games, so it will be trying to get back on track against Los Angeles on Sunday. However, the Titans remain in a good position in the AFC South race, especially if the Jaguars lose to the Cowboys.
The AFC wild-card mix got much tighter on Saturday, when the Dolphins lost to the Bills. If the Patriots, Chargers and Jets all win on Sunday, they'll each be 8-6, just like Miami.
But if New England, Los Angeles and New York all lose, it will help Cleveland, which would be only one game out of a playoff spot following its win over Baltimore. The Browns have won three of their past four contests to stay in the race.
NFC Playoff Picture
Division Leaders
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1, clinched playoff berth)
2. Minnesota Vikings (11-3, clinched NFC North)
3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4, clinched NFC West)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
Wild-Card Leaders
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
6. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
7. New York Giants (7-5-1)
In the Hunt
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
9. Detroit Lions (6-7)
10. Green Bay Packers (5-8)
11. Carolina Panthers (5-8)
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
13. Arizona Cardinals (4-9)
14. New Orleans Saints (4-9)
15. Los Angeles Rams (4-9)
The Eagles may have been the first NFL team to clinch a playoff berth, but they can't secure the NFC East title in the near future. The division has been highly competitive, and the Cowboys are keeping pace in second place.
Dallas could also clinch a postseason berth on Sunday, though. It would do so with a win over Jacksonville, or if either Washington or Detroit loses.
That's not the only reason the Commanders' Sunday night matchup against the Giants is important. The two NFC East rivals tied in Week 13, and they now have identical 7-5-1 records. The winner will have a leg up in the wild-card race, while it will become more difficult for the loser to get into the playoffs.
Although Philadelphia can't clinch anything if it beats Chicago on Sunday, it will distance itself from Minnesota in the battle for the No. 1 seed. If the Eagles lose, they'll be only one game ahead of the Vikings.
The Lions have won five of their past six games, and while the NFC North race is over, they're playing their way into the wild-card mix. Detroit will look to keep its momentum going against the Jets on Sunday.
As for the NFC South, it's the only division in the league in which every team has a sub-.500 record. The Buccaneers have a challenging matchup against the Bengals on Sunday, which could allow the Panthers (facing the Steelers) and/or the Falcons (playing the Saints) to pull even atop the division.
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