NFL Standings & Playoff Race 2013: Seahawks, Broncos Hold Top Seeds; Which Teams Could Sneak In?
The NFL playoff race is about to explode this week as a number of teams look to clinch playoff spots while others will be on their way out the door.
A total of only four teams have clinched playoff spots thus far -- three of them coming from the AFC -- despite the fact that many squads already have notched ten wins with two games to go.
In the NFC, the Seahawks are paving the way with a 12-2 record. However, as dominant as Seattle has been this season the team has yet to clinch the division. There is still a chance that the 49ers could win the division but only if they win out while the Seahawks would have to lose out.
The number two and three seeds in the NFC are the Saints and Eagles, respectively. The Philadelphia Eagles are enjoying a mediocre NFC East division this year under first year head coach Chip Kelly. The NFC North-leading Bears hold the number four spot while the Panthers and 49ers make up the wild card seeds.
The Arizona Cardinals are still alive at 9-5 and they are looking to win out for a chance to get in. They would need the 49ers to lose at least one time in the next two weeks, but tiebreakers would also become a factor.
In the AFC, Broncos and Patriots are at the top of the conference but the AFC West is still up for grabs. The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos have the same records but Denver holds the tiebreaker. The Bengals make up the third seed while the Colts, Chiefs, and Ravens are the fourth, fifth, and sixth seeds respectively.
The Wild Card race is getting even more interesting as we get closer to the playoffs. The 8-6 Dolphins are in the hunt and on the edge as they look to sneak in at the end of the year while the Chargers and Steelers remain alive.