The NFL playoff picture goes into hyperdrive this month as the final stretch of the season approaches. Five weeks into the regular season, several teams are still in contention for a playoff berth. The Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots are still on course to take one of the last AFC playoff spots while the Washington Commanders are half a game away from the last playoff spot. NFC playoffs.
The playoff standings certainly change every week, but which of the teams within striking distance still has a chance of stealing one of those playoff spots? Let’s rank some of the away teams that have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.
There is a qualifier for this exercise. Teams must be within two games of last playoff spot to make this list, which eliminates the Green Bay Packers from this discussion.
1. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
The Commanders are just half a game out of last place in the conference playoffs, dropping to seventh place after Sunday’s tie with the Giants. Washington can still snatch a playoff berth by beating New York when the Commanders return from their Week 15 bye, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Seahawks have also lost two of their last three games and have games against the 49ers (8-4), Chiefs (9-3) and Jets (7-5) to come. There is a golden opportunity for the Commanders to enter the playoffs, even with an abrupt end to the schedule which includes the Giants (7-4-1), 49ers, Browns (5-7) and Cowboys (9-3).
2. Los Angeles Chargers (6-6)
While the Chargers have been a disappointment this year, the eventual return of Mike Williams will help this team significantly in the passing game. Add healthier Justin Herbert every week and Los Angeles looks set to race.
The next two games on the schedule are brutal (Dolphins, Titans), but the Chargers finish with the Colts (4-8-1), Rams (3-9) and Broncos (3-9). A split with Miami (8-4) and Tennessee (7-5) and running the business in the last three games gives Los Angeles 10 wins – which may be enough to make the AFC playoffs.
How does a team two games under .500 have a good chance of making the playoffs? The Lions have won four of their last five games after a 1-6 start, staying alive in the playoff hunt. The offense averaged 28.4 points during the streak while allowing 19.8.
The next two games are against Minnesota (10-2) and the New York Jets (7-5), but Detroit has proven it can score with any team in the league. The offense makes Detroit dangerous going forward, but the margin for error is slim. The Lions need to win their next two games to have a chance of qualifying for the final playoff spot. They finish with Chicago (3-9), Carolina (4-8) and Green Bay (5-8).
4. New England Patriots (6-6)
Back-to-back losses have significantly hurt the Patriots’ playoff chances, but New England holds the tiebreaker over the Jets after sweeping them earlier this year. The Patriots have a favorable schedule with the Cardinals (4-8) and Raiders (5-7), but have crucial matchups against the Bengals (8-4), Dolphins (8-4) and Bills (9- 3) to close the year.
The schedule does not favor New England going forward.
5. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
Winning three straight gave the Raiders an outside chance to qualify for the playoffs, with Las Vegas two games behind the Jets. The schedule is also favorable over the next few weeks, starting with the Rams (3-9) this week. Las Vegas then faces New England (6-6) in what is essentially a playoff game for a playoff opportunity, followed by a showdown with Pittsburgh (5-7).
The Raiders finish the season against the 49ers (8-4) and the Chiefs (9-3), so it is essential to win the next three games before it comes to that. The odds are long, but Las Vegas still has a chance.
The Falcons make this list because they are still mathematically alive in the NFC South race, trailing the Buccaneers by 1.5 games in the standings – Tampa Bay also owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. Atlanta has a bye this week before facing New Orleans (4-9), Baltimore (8-4) and Arizona (4-8). The Falcons then finish with the Buccaneers (6-6).
Conclusion: Atlanta must win games.
The Steelers have won three out of four to stay alive in the AFC playoff race, but the margin for error is slim. Pittsburgh needs to beat Baltimore (8-4) this week to stay alive so Carolina’s (4-8) Week 15 game means something.
If the Steelers have a season over .500, that would be impressive at this rate — whether Pittsburgh makes the playoffs or not.
8. Cleveland Browns (5-7)
Sure, the Browns got Deshaun Watson back, but are they better off with him as he’s still getting used to playing in an NFL game again? Playing the Bengals (8-4) and Ravens (8-4) in the next two games doesn’t help either.
Cleveland is the ultimate long shot to make the playoffs, but beating Cincinnati will certainly improve their chances. The Browns may have to win at this rate.