NFL playoff picture following Week 12 action

The Bengals are out of the playoff picture, but, if you’re still interested in seeing who remains in the race, here’s a look at the standings as of Sunday night. No matter what happens on Sunday Night Football between the Chiefs and Broncos, the Chiefs will maintain a playoff spot. But, a Broncos loss would bounce them out of the top six seeds (as of Week 12) and give a spot, at least temporarily, to the Miami Dolphins.

Here are the standings in both the AFC and NFC.

AFC:

1. New England Patriots (9-2): AFC East leader. The Patriots were in the No. 2 spot heading into Sunday but their conference record is now better than the Raiders’ following their win over the Jets and put them back into position to claim the top seed.

2. Oakland Raiders (9-2): AFC West leader.

3. Baltimore Ravens (6-5): AFC North leader.

4. Houston Texans (6-5): AFC South leader.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3): Wild card team. They remain in wild-card position win or lose in Week 12.

6. Denver Broncos (7-3): Wild card team. They can move up to to the fifth seed by beating the Chiefs. A loss to the Chiefs would drop the Broncos from the top six playoff standings, and the Miami Dolphins would claim their spot.

AFC in the hunt:

• Dolphins (7-4)
• Steelers (6-5)
• Bills (6-5)
• Titans (5-6)
• Colts (5-6)
• Chargers (5-6)
• Bengals (3-7-1)
• Jets (3-8)
• Jaguars (2-9)
• Browns (0-12)

NFC:

1. Dallas Cowboys (10-1): NFC East leader.

2. Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1): NFC West leader.

3. Detroit Lions (7-4): NFC North leader.

4. Atlanta Falcons (7-4): NFC South leader.

5. New York Giants (8-3): Wild card team.

6. Washington Redskins (6-4-1): Wild card team.

NFC in the hunt:

• Buccaneers (6-5)
• Vikings (6-5)
• Eagles (5-5)
• Saints (5-6)
• Cardinals (4-6-1)
• Packers (4-6)
• Panthers (4-7)
• Rams (4-7)
• Bears (2-9)
• 49ers (1-10)