Three weeks ago, seven NFL teams had a 5-5 record. I posted my discussion of those teams on the bubble earlier. Three weeks later, four AFC teams — Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans — all sit at 7-6. Meanwhile, over in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings are barely ahead of three 6-7 clubs. The Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins.
The Dallas Cowboys (8-5) and the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) have each won three straight games. They are practically locks for the postseason as a division leader and a top wildcard, respectively. The Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) have lost five in a row. Marvin Lewis should be fired, but he’ll probably stick around.
Below you will find the playoff outlook for eight franchises — four NFC and four AFC — as we come to the end of the season.
Minnesota Vikings
(6-6-1, sixth in the NFC)
Luckily for these rovers, the teams beneath in the standings are tanking, too. After a hard loss in New England, the Seahawks embarrassed Minnesota in Seattle on Monday Night Football. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is making confusing decisions and the Vikings are imploding.
Remaining schedule
vs. Dolphins, at Detroit Lions, vs. Chicago Bears
Outlook
Man, I don’t know. Miami is streaky, and so is Detroit. And Chicago is great. Minnesota is still a top 10 defense, and its offense sits in the middle of the pack. The Vikings might get in, but they’ll have to burn a hole through uranium.
Carolina Panthers
(6-7, seventh in NFC)
The Pittsburgh Steelers screwed Carolina up; the Panthers have not won a contest since getting shellacked in Week 10. It’s too bad, Carolina had high hopes this season.
Remaining schedule
vs. New Orleans Saints, vs. Atlanta Falcons, at Saints
Outlook
The black cats have a tie-breaker over Philadelphia and Washington, which does not mean much right now. Cam Newton has thrown 12 interceptions because he’s just trying to get something going. Christian McCaffrey leads Carolina in both rushing and receiving yards…where is the rest of this team?
Philadelphia Eagles
(6-7, eighth in NFC)
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that quarterback Carson Wentz fractured a vertebra. This guy tore his knee last season, missing play in a victorious Super Bowl, and now this. He cannot catch a break. Neither can the Eagles, as they are having a horrible championship hangover.
Remaining schedule
at L.A. Rams, vs. Houston Texans, at Redskins
Outlook
A possible 6-10 finish. Or Nick Foles comes in and Philadelphia runs the table with trick plays.
Washington Redskins
(6-7, ninth in NFC)
The NFC East always gets all the drama. Once a 6-3 division leader, the Redskins went from bad to worse. They were blown out against the New York Giants (40-16 loss) last week. In this current moment, I cannot think of one positive. Washington is making zero headlines.
Remaining schedule
at Jacksonville Jaguars, at Titans, vs. Eagles
Outlook
Bottom-third in overall offense, satisfactory defense. Better hope the Jaguars and Titans shoot blanks.
Baltimore Ravens
(7-6, sixth in AFC)
Lamar Jackson has officially replaced Joe Flacco at quarterback, per Head Coach John Harbaugh. Over 10 years as Baltimore’s starter, Flacco won 10 playoff games and one Super Bowl. But instead of relying on a veteran to secure a postseason berth, the Ravens hand the responsibility to a rookie. OK.
Remaining schedule
vs. Tampa Buccaneers, at L.A. Chargers, vs. Cleveland Browns
Outlook
Baltimore held the final wildcard spot three weeks ago, and they still do. The Ravens have a tie-breaker over the Dolphins and Colts;. Another win seems imminent against the Bucs this week. Life after the regular season looks OK.
Indianapolis Colts
(7-6, seventh in AFC)
Impressively, on the road last week, the Colts halted the Texans’ long winning streak. And Indianapolis has its own streak going, winning six of their last seven. With poised Andrew Luck under center, all is peachy.
Remaining schedule
vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants, at Titans
Outlook
Playing hot Dallas and manic New York in consecutive weeks could be trouble. The Colts rarely play NFC East teams. Indy already beat Washington and lost to Philly this year. Equipped with a top 10 offense and a defense that allows 23 points per game, I am liking the Colts’ odds here.
Miami Dolphins
(7-6, eighth in AFC)
The most shocking finish to a game this season (and maybe of the last decade) keeps Miami floating. All the Patriots had to do was make a tackle. But DeVante Parker lateraled the football to Kenyan Drake, who zipped through the defense and gave the Dolphins continued hope.
Remaining schedule
at Vikings, vs. Jaguars, at Buffalo Bills
Outlook
Fifteen weeks ago, we probably didn’t see much potential importance with Miami vs. Minnesota in Week 15. But it might be the biggest game this week as both teams are struggling not to struggle. Miami has a less-than-average defense and offense, so the luck probably runs out.
Tennessee Titans
(7-6, ninth in AFC)
The Titans have been trading wins with losses all season. They won three, lost three, won two, lost two, and then won two more. Running back Derrick Henry’s stiff-arm infused 99-yard run against Jacksonville goes down in history. The offense needs to run through Henry for the rest of the year, especially when quarterback Marcus Mariota is averaging 194 passing yard per game.
Remaining schedule
at Giants, vs. Redskins, vs. Colts
Outlook
All eyes on Week 17 in Tennessee. Indianapolis is coming to town with a possible playoff position on the table. However, the Titans must get by the pesky Giants and Redskins beforehand, and that is never a given.
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