8 Critical Weeks: A Too-Early Glimpse Into The NFL Playoff Picture

This NFL season has been completed over nine weekends and 144 games, and we have already learned so much. For instance, the Kansas City Chiefs may be on the path to completing the NFL’s third-ever undefeated campaign, with the 1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots having accomplished the feat before them.

Thus, the NFL Playoff Picture has already begun to take shape. There are surprise clubs that have positioned themselves as we step into November, and there are just as many clubs we expect to be holding down these positions that will almost certainly continue to do so as the weather gets ever colder and the season continues to kick into overdrive.

NFC Playoff Picture After Week 9

First and foremost, a tip of the cap to the Washington Commanders. The brand-new ownership group led by Bob Myers and Magic Johnson has been the focal point of a revival of the long-suffering Washington fanbase, and likely Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels has led the Commanders to a 7-2 start to their campaign.

A similar shock can be found in Minneapolis. When their own rookie Quarterback, Michigan standout J.J. McCarthy went down before the season, few pegged the Vikings to be in the discussion. Yet nine weeks in, they are perfectly in the playoff picture as well, but at 6-2, they are fighting the Lions and Packers in an intensely competitive NFC North this season.

The full NFC Playoff Picture is as follows:

1. Lions 7-1
2. Commanders 7-2
3. Falcons 6-3
4. Cardinals 5-4
5. Vikings 6-2
6. Eagles 6-2
7. Packers 6-3

AFC Playoff Picture After 9 Weeks

The Chiefs being 8-0 and holding down the #1 seed at the present moment is not a surprise. However, plenty of other surprises are behind them. The Buffalo Bills improved to 7-2 behind Tyler Bass’s 61-yard Field Goal, which can be seen as a form of redemption for him after his failures ten months ago in the playoffs. The Bills’ improvement to 7-2 came at the cost of the Dolphins sliding back to 2-6. In fact, through nine weeks, nobody else in the AFC East has a winning record.

The Steelers, a “Quarterback-by-committee” situation, lead the AFC North at 6-2. Another masterclass performance by Mike Tomlin to squeeze as much out of an unfavorable situation is sure to lead to Steelers fans enjoying a possible home playoff game come January.

Also holding up the back end of the Playoff Picture (as of now) are the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. These clubs, one led by a new Head Coach and the other by a rookie QB, are Kansas City’s closest pursuers in the AFC West. (We use “closest” loosely here).

The full AFC Playoff Picture as of now is as follows:

1. Chiefs 8-0
2. Bills 7-2
3. Steelers 6-2
4. Texans 6-3
5. Ravens 6-3
6. Chargers 5-3
7. Broncos 5-4

Make sure to check back over the following weeks as this picture will be constantly evolving.