Week 11 NFL Playoff Picture: Chiefs’ Stumble Shakes Up AFC, NFC Battle Heats Up
It’s that time of year again where every single game matters, and NFL fans everywhere are glued to the standings, trying to figure out which team will snag the top seed and punch their ticket to the playoffs. Sunday’s action was jam-packed with drama, especially in the AFC where the Kansas City Chiefs came out on the losing side. That upset could make the race for the No. 1 seed way more interesting, while the NFC continues to shift week after week. So, what exactly does the postseason outlook look like as we approach Week 11? Let’s break everything down and see who’s sitting pretty and who’s still got work to do.
Chiefs’ Loss Throws a Wrench in the AFC Race
Let’s start in the AFC, where Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the New York Jets in a 24-20 game that no one saw coming. Despite Mahomes throwing for two touchdowns, it wasn’t enough as the Jets put down Kansas City to shake up the entire playoff race in the AFC.
With this loss, the Chiefs are now 7-3, which keeps them in a good spot at the top of the AFC West, but No. 1 seed? That’s suddenly up for grabs. The Chiefs now find themselves locked in a heated battle for home-field advantage with some fierce competition, most notably from the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins, both of whom still have big games ahead.
- Kansas City Chiefs: 7-3, 1st in AFC West
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-2, 1st in AFC North
- Miami Dolphins: 7-3, 1st in AFC East
The Ravens, currently the AFC’s top seed, pulled off a solid 34-20 victory against the Cleveland Browns, moving them up into the No. 1 spot. But it’s not just the Ravens and Dolphins that could benefit from Kansas City’s stumble—teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) are lurking just below, ready to capitalize if any more surprises come down the line.
NFC Still Unpredictable After Eagles’ Bye
Meanwhile, over in the NFC, the top spot looks a little more secure, with the Philadelphia Eagles sitting at 8-1. Going into their bye week, they’ve been holding off stiff competition from the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. But with two losses, San Francisco has had a few hiccups of their own this season, meaning things could still shift.
While there’s much more clarity at the top of the NFC, the wildcard race is a hotbed of uncertainty, with the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings all jockeying for solid playoff positioning. The Cowboys, sitting in 4th place at 6-3, picked up a statement win this week, routing the Giants 49-17 and making it clear they’re still serious contenders.
The Giants and Commanders, on the other hand, find themselves in less favorable positions—both with even more work left to do if they want a shot at the playoffs this year.
Here’s what the NFC Picture Looks Like:
- Philadelphia Eagles: 8-1, 1st in NFC East
- San Francisco 49ers: 7-2, 1st in NFC West
- Detroit Lions: 7-2, 1st in NFC North
Below these top-tier teams, it’s a wild scrum for the remaining playoff spots. The Vikings, despite some inconsistencies, are fighting to hang on, while the Seahawks’ defense has continually kept them competitive this season. As for the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints? They’re both sitting on the fence, hoping to land a wildcard spot by sneaking into the win column in their upcoming matchups. If they can string together some wins, we’ll be seeing this battle go down to the wire.
Teams on the Bubble: Are They In or Out?
As we head into Week 11, there are several teams in both conferences that are teetering on the edge. Some of them are hanging tough, while others are barely hanging on by a thread. But here’s the twist: one or two big victories could propel these bubble teams into playoff contention:
Teams on the AFC Bubble:
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-5): After a shaky start, Joe Burrow and the Bengals have found their footing, winning three of their last four. They’ll need to keep this momentum going if they plan to sneak into the wildcard.
- Buffalo Bills (5-5): Another team that was full of promise, the Bills have found themselves underperforming over the last couple of weeks. With upcoming games against divisional rivals, they’ll need to step up if they want in.
Teams on the NFC Bubble:
- Washington Commanders (4-6): Matching up against some tough opponents hasn’t made things easy for Ron Rivera’s squad, but the Commanders still have a shot if they can tighten their defense up.
- Green Bay Packers (4-6): There’s no sugarcoating it—the Packers have had a rough season. But with Aaron Rodgers leading the charge, anything’s possible in the last few weeks.
What’s Next? The Wild Wild Week Ahead
As we prepare for Week 11 and beyond, every game now has postseason implications. Whether it’s a battle for the top seed in the conference or a last-ditch effort by a wildcard hopeful, the drama is just getting started. Teams like the Bills and Bengals will be fighting tooth and nail just to stay in the playoff race, while the Chiefs look to rebound quickly and shift the odds back in their favor. Don’t blink—things are about to get intense as playoff fever hits the NFL!
Let’s not forget the upcoming Thanksgiving slate of games, either. The traditional holiday matchups will give several teams the chance to either lock down their playoff spots or risk seeing their postseason dreams dashed. Will the Eagles continue their march toward domination in the NFC? Can the Dolphins rise past the Chiefs and Ravens in the AFC standings?
It’s anyone’s guess at this stage, but one thing’s for sure: the final stretch of this NFL season is shaping up to be an absolute rollercoaster. Buckle up!
Originally Written by: Steve Gardner
