The playoff picture is starting to come into view now that we're approaching the season's halfway point (and we all remember, oh yeah, 7 teams get in per conference this year).
In the AFC:
1. Pittsburgh 6-0
2. Kansas City 7-1
3. Tennessee 5-1
4. Buffalo 5-2
Wild Cards
5. Baltimore 5-1
6. Cleveland 5-2
7. Indianapolis 4-2
Outside Looking In Right Now
8. Miami 3-3
9. Las Vegas 3-3
Analysis: KC, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh seem like locks, and the class of the conference. Cleveland, Tennessee, and Buffalo... it depends what week it is, but they seem like playoff teams (although, the Browns still are the Browns). Indianapolis, Miami, and Vegas will likely be fighting for that last playoff spot all through December.
In the NFC:
1. Green Bay 5-1
2. Seattle 5-1
3. Tampa Bay 5-2
4. Philadelphia Eagles 2-4-1
Wild Cards
5. Chicago 5-2
6. Arizona 5-2
7. LA Rams 5-2
Outside Looking In Right Now
8. New Orleans 4-2
9. San Francisco 4-3
10. Detroit 3-3
Analysis: Unlike the AFC's three juggernaut teams, the NFC playoff contenders all seem far more wide open. Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers playing at a ridiculous level and throwing to ??? every week, Seattle has Russell Wilson with some great WRs but an uncharacteristically weak defense, and Tampa Bay is becoming the threat people thought they would be when you give Tom Brady countless weapons to work with. Of the division winners... that 4 seed out of the NFC East is going to be a story to watch, and Philly seems the most likely suspect for it. Whether they're a "one and done" depends on if that team can in any way get healthy by playoff time. Make no mistake, if the Eagles do anything this year, their team MVP should be the training staff.
Here's the real story, though... look at the 5 through 10 teams... only three of the six are in. And right now... does it feel right to count anyone out (maybe Detroit)? Like, San Francisco is 4-3 with COUNTLESS injuries. If they get healthy? How long can they hold up with what they're doing right now? Maybe they're not the one you'd expect to come off the bubble and back into the playoffs, given that. The Saints seem like a team you'd expect to get in... so if they move off the bubble, which of the three are gonna fall to them? Can Kyler Murray still keep dragging Arizona to victories? Is Chicago's lack of a QB and terrible offense going to do them in? Can the Rams' defense keep them winning, in spite of Jared Goff's limitations under center?
The NFC is gonna keep people talking until all 16 games are played. It's gonna come down to the last day. Almost certain of it.