What a difference a week makes.
One week ago, we sat here and looked at the playoff picture and surmised the New England Patriots’ loss to the Denver Broncos wasn’t a huge deal. The Patriots surely would bounce back against Philadelphia and preserve that spot atop the AFC.
The Eagles, however, had different plans. Philly came into Foxboro and took it to the Patriots, handing New England a rare home loss and an even rarer two-game losing skid. The loss, combined with wins from both Cincinnati and Denver, put the Patritots in a less-than-ideal playoff spot — for now.
There’s plenty of football to be played, but of the AFC’s three 10-2 teams, the Patriots now sit in third place. If the playoffs started Monday (they don’t, we know), New England would actually have to play in the wild card round against the rival New York Jets, of all teams.
There is one giant caveat, though. The Broncos and Bengals still have to play each other in what will be a pivotal Week 16 Monday night matchup. Assuming they don’t tie, one team would fall to the back of the three-team pack, meaning the Patriots could still get that first-round bye back by winning out.
Here’s the rest of the playoff field, if the playoffs started Monday.
AFC
First-round byes
1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-2)
2. Denver Broncos (10-2)
Wild-card round matchups (Jan. 9-10)
No. 6 New York Jets (7-5) at No. 3 New England Patriots (10-2)
No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs (7-5) at No. 4 Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
Notes: Despite beating the Colts by 35 points Sunday night and being one game better record-wise, the Steelers are still on the outside as Indy would get in as the AFC South champ … Pittsburgh’s road to the playoffs is a rough one, too, with games against both Cincinnati and Denver still on the schedule.
NFC
First-round byes
1. Carolina Panthers (12-0)
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
Wild-card round matchups (Jan. 9-10)
No. 6 Seattle Seahawks (7-5) at No. 3 Green Bay Packers (8-4)
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (8-4) at No. 4 Washington Redskins (5-6)*
Notes: Green Bay can still earn a first-round bye if they’re able to win out. … Monday night’s matchup between Washington and Dallas has too many implications to mention. … The Seahawks’ next three opponents have a combined record of 10-26
*Washington hosts Dallas on “Monday Night Football”
Playoff scenarios via NFL.com
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
