By james art Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season is almost in the books, and halfway through the league’s latest 17-game schedule is the perfect time to get an update on the NFC and AFC standings and the overall playoff picture.
We know a lot will change down the line as trades are made, injuries mount and surprises happen, but the first seven or eight games will still go a long way toward determining the final records and playoff position.
Ahead of the second half of the season, here’s a look at which 14 teams will be in the playoffs and how they’ll be seeded in the race for Super Bowl 59, from the top division leaders to the final wild card teams.
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NFL Standings Through Week 8
(Gina Ferrazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty)
AFC playoff photo
1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-0 (first place, AFC West): The last undefeated team in the NFL is aiming for a perfect season and looks in good position to chase a third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
2. Houston Texans 6-2 (first place, AFC South): The Texans survived a challenge from the Colts in Week 8, staying just ahead of the Bills because they owned the head-to-head tiebreaker.
3. Buffalo Bills 6-2 (first place, AFC East): The Bills are on pace to run away with the East for a fifth straight division title, as the Dolphins, Patriots and Jets have combined for just six wins.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2 (first place, AFC North): The Ravens were upset by the Browns, allowing the Steelers to take over first place before trying to extend the lead to a full game by beating the Giants at home on Monday night.
5. Denver Broncos 5-3 (second place, AFC West): The Broncos were a pleasant surprise, taking advantage of a favorable schedule, good pass defense and solid rookie QB play from Bo Nix to prove that Sean Payton still has plenty of coaching options.
6. Baltimore Ravens 5-3 (second place, AFC North): The Ravens have some work to do in their two-team contest with the Steelers before the teams face off in Pittsburgh in Week 11. First, they get a head-to-head shot against the Broncos at home in Week 9.
7. Los Angeles Chargers 4-3 (third place, AFC West): The Chargers would make it three teams from the AFC West in the playoffs as Jim Harbaugh sees better play from Justin Herbert to add to a winning formula on run and defense.
Who is hunting the most?
- 8. Indianapolis Colts 4-4 (second place, AFC South)
- 9. Cincinnati Bengals 3-5 (third place, AFC North)
Of those two teams, the Bengals are better equipped to make a late game because they have a big quarterback advantage with Joe Burrow over Anthony Richardson.
Who’s left?
- 10. Miami Dolphins 2-5 (second place, AFC East)
- 11. Cleveland Browns 2-6 (fourth place, AFC North)
- 12. Las Vegas Raiders 2-6 (fourth place, AFC West)
- 13. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-6 (third place, AFC South)
- 14. New England Patriots 2-6 (third place, AFC East)
- 15. New York Jets 2-6 (fourth place, AFC East)
- 16. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-6 (fourth place, AFC South)
NFC playoff picture
1. Detroit Lions 6-1 (first place, NFC North): The Lions were a balanced, explosive and almost unstoppable scoring machine with Jared Goff and the rushing game. They look like the strong new favorites for the NFC title.
2. Washington Commanders 6-2 (first place, NFC East): Everything is falling into place in the first season together for Jaden Daniels, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury, including the incredible game-winning Hail Marys. They will be headed to the playoffs, but must continue to fight to hold off the Eagles for the division title.
3. Atlanta Falcons 6-2 (first place, NFC South): The Falcons are 4-0 in divisional play, having already swept Tampa Bay, leading by a game and head-to-head tiebreaker. They’ll be easy division champs barring a second-half disaster, just as they should have expected with Kirk Cousins turning on the offense to help the defense.
4. Arizona Cardinals 4-4 (first place, NFC West): The Cardinals’ win in Miami put them in first place thanks to a better conference record than the Seahawks and 49ers (2-0), with their wins thus far coming over the Rams and 49ers.
5. Green Bay Packers 6-2 (second place, NFC North): The Packers are a half-game behind the Lions with a chance to take over first place in Week 9 when they host Detroit at Lambeau Field in Week 9.
6. Minnesota Vikings 5-2 (third place, NFC North): The Vikings’ upset loss to the Rams on Thursday night cost them a spot as they slipped behind the Packers and also missed a chance to win against the losing Bears.
7. Philadelphia Eagles 5-3 (second place, NFC East): The Eagles have won three straight games to jump into that spot, a game behind the Commanders in the division race. The teams will play each other for the first time this season in Philadelphia in Week 11.
Who is hunting the most?
- 8. Chicago Bears 4-3 (fourth place, NFC North)
- 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-4 (second place, NFC South)
- 10. San Francisco 49ers 4-4 (second place, NFC West)
- 11. Seattle Seahawks 4-4 (third place, NFC West)
- 12. Los Angeles Rams 3-4 (fourth place, NFC West)
- 13. Dallas Cowboys 3-4 (third place, NFC East)
The Bears hurt their wild-card chances in Washington, while the Buccaneers’ key injury problems could continue to hinder them. The 49ers and Cowboys still have a lot of work to do after their Sunday night clash, while the Seahawks are fading fast facing a tough schedule.
Who’s left?
- 14. New York Giants 2-5 (fourth place, NFC East)
- 15. New Orleans Saints 2-6 (third place, NFC South)
- 16. Carolina Panthers 1-7 (fourth place, NFC South)