Throughout the 2024 NFL regular season, YSL News Sports will keep you updated on the changing playoff landscape every week. This coverage will begin after the late Sunday games and continue through the weeks, including Monday and Thursday matchups or Saturday games if they occur.

What just transpired? What are the implications? What are the key elements (and possible tiebreakers) that are affecting each conference’s seven-team playoff bracket as it starts to take shape? All these questions will be addressed and analyzed until the postseason lineup is set on Sunday night, January 5.

Here’s the current status as we approach Week 11 of the 2024 season:

AFC Playoff Update

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0), Leaders of the AFC West: As they chase a third consecutive Super Bowl title, there’s some speculation surrounding their perfect record. Nonetheless, Kansas City has a two-game cushion over the competition in the loss column, seeking to keep the route to Super Bowl 59 going through Arrowhead Stadium. Upcoming Schedule: at Bills, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

2. Buffalo Bills (8-2), Leaders of the AFC East: With five consecutive victories, they are nearly certain to claim their fifth straight division title. However, if they desire a shot at securing home-field advantage, defeating the Chiefs in Week 11 is essential. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Chiefs, BYE, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2), Leaders of the AFC North: This division looks to be a contest between them and Baltimore, with both teams yet to play against each other. Still, the Steelers have bigger aspirations in sight. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Ravens, at Browns, at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (6-4), Leaders of the AFC South: They have some challenges to navigate, especially concerning injuries. Nonetheless, they should likely secure a second consecutive division title. Upcoming Schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Titans, at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Baltimore Ravens (7-3), Wild Card No. 1: While their defensive problems are obvious, the offense is powerful enough for Baltimore to potentially climb to the No. 2 seed. However, their Week 1 setback against the Chiefs poses a challenge for reaching the top spot. Upcoming Schedule: at Steelers, at Chargers, vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

6. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3), Wild Card No. 2: Their defense has been solid, and while their schedule has been tough, that is about to change. The Chargers are also creating a nice cushion above the teams trailing them. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Ravens, at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (5-5), Wild Card No. 3: If they had managed to defeat the Chiefs, they would have helped themselves and a few other teams. Unfortunately, the Broncos lost the game, missing the chance to gain a two-game lead over their nearest rivals. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Falcons, at Raiders, vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (4-6), Contending: New quarterback Joe Flacco hasn’t been able to halt a three-game losing streak. Still, they have an opportunity against the Broncos later. Upcoming Schedule: at Jets, vs. Lions, at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6), Contending: Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase haven’t been able to reverse a three-game slump to start the season, but they have a chance to challenge the Broncos coming up. (Currently, the Colts possess a better conference record than the Bengals, despite having played more divisional games.) Upcoming Schedule: at Chargers, BYE, vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

10. Miami Dolphins (3-6), Contending: After securing their first victory since quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned, the Dolphins have positioned themselves back into contention, with upcoming games potentially enhancing their standing. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Patriots, at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets

11. New York Jets (3-7), Contending: They still hold a slim possibility of breaking the league’s longest playoff drought, which has lasted since 2010. Their Week 4 loss to Denver complicates matters. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Colts, BYE, vs. Seahawks, at Dolphins, at Jaguars, vs. Rams, at Bills, vs. Dolphins

12. New England Patriots (3-7), Contending: There’s still a glimmer of hope for reviving their once-great legacy, which has seemingly declined over the past five years. Their Week 1 win against Cincinnati might be a valuable asset. Upcoming Schedule: vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Colts, BYE, at Cardinals, at Bills, vs. Chargers,

NFC Playoff Landscape

1. Detroit Lions (8-1), leaders of the NFC North: They would have still held valuable tiebreakers over the Eagles and Vikings even if they had lost on Sunday night. These advantages could be significant as the season progresses. Upcoming games: vs. Jaguars, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2), leaders of the NFC East: Their decisive victory over the Cowboys on Sunday helped them rise to the top of their division, overtaking Washington. However, their position could change after Thursday’s match. Upcoming games: vs. Commanders, at Rams, at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Atlanta Falcons (6-4), NFC South leaders: They may regret their loss to the struggling Saints, but a season sweep against the Buccaneers gives them a strong three-game lead in their division. Upcoming games: at Broncos, BYE, vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

4. Arizona Cardinals (6-4), leaders of the NFC West: With four consecutive wins, their week off may not arrive at the best moment. The Cardinals’ strong divisional record (2-0) is beneficial, yet their 3-3 record in NFC games won’t help in potential tiebreakers against Atlanta (6-2). Upcoming games: BYE, at Seahawks, at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

5. Minnesota Vikings (7-2), wild card No. 1: After a shaky period post their 5-0 start, they secured a win against Jacksonville on Sunday. Their following fixtures appear manageable, but the challenge will increase as the season progresses. Upcoming games: at Titans, at Bears, vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Washington Commanders (7-3), wild card No. 2: Regardless of whether they reclaim the NFC East lead from Philadelphia on Thursday, the Commanders have a favorable schedule that could keep them contending for the top seed. Upcoming games: at Eagles, vs. Cowboys, vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

7. Green Bay Packers (6-3), wild card No. 3: Hopefully, the recent bye week helped their injured quarterback Jordan Love as they gear up for a crucial phase of the season, which could present varying results. Upcoming games: at Bears, vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

8. San Francisco 49ers (5-4), in contention: The return of running back Christian McCaffrey could ignite their performance as they look to finish the season strong. However, their 1-2 record against NFC West rivals could be a setback. Upcoming games: vs. Seahawks, at Packers, at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

9. Chicago Bears (4-5), in contention: A recent three-game losing streak indicates they may soon drop out of the playoff race, especially with tougher games ahead. Upcoming games: vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, at Packers

10. Los Angeles Rams (4-5), in contention: A difficult loss to the Dolphins pushed them behind the Bears, thanks to a prior defeat in Week 4. Upcoming games: at Patriots, vs. Eagles, at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

11. Seattle Seahawks (4-5), in contention: A two-game losing streak raises doubts about their playoff prospects, particularly facing challenging games ahead. Upcoming games: at 49ers, vs. Cardinals, at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), in contention: A three-game losing streak leaves them vulnerable in the race, though if they can bring back key players like WR Mike Evans post-bye, they might still finish strong. Upcoming games: BYE, at Giants, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

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