Dolphins and Aries go in the opposite direction

by Junna Base November 12, 2024

Each week during the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates on the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture – starting after late games on Sunday afternoon and continuing through the remainder of the week (leading up to Monday and Thursday games). . or Saturday if applicable).

What just happened? What does it mean? What relevant factors (and perhaps the deciding factors) will play a prominent role as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to emerge? Everything will be explained and analyzed until the postseason field is finalized on Sunday evening, January 5th.

Here’s where things stand with Week 11 of the 2024 season just around the corner:

AFC playoff image

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0), AFC West leaders: Even though they’re aiming for the league’s first three-peat Super Bowl, there’s definitely a lot of smoke and mirrors to their undefeated start. Whatever the case, KC sits two ahead of the field in the loss list and is looking to ensure the road to Super Bowl 59 runs through Arrowhead once again. Remaining schedule: at Bills, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

2. Buffalo Bills (8-2), AFC East leaders: They have won five in a row and a fifth straight league title is practically a foregone conclusion. But if they want any real home-field advantage, it’s almost imperative that they beat the Chiefs in Week 11. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, BYE, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2), AFC North leaders: The division has become a two-team race between them and Baltimore, with both meetings still to come. But the Steelers could win much bigger prizes. Remaining schedule: against Ravens, against Browns, against Bengals, against Browns, against Eagles, against Ravens, against Chiefs, against Bengals

4. Houston Texans (6-4), AFC South leaders: You have a few problems to solve, especially those related to injuries. But her should still on track for a second straight championship. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Titans, at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Baltimore Ravens (7-3), Wild Card No. 1: Their defensive problems are obvious. But the offense is so dominant that Baltimore could easily move up to No. 2. However, the Ravens’ Week 1 loss to the Chiefs leads to an even steeper climb to first place. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, at Chargers, vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

6. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3), wild card No. 2: Their defense was pretty tough. Her schedule was anything but that – although that’s about to change. However, the Bolts are starting to build a good lead between themselves and the clubs chasing them. Remaining schedule: against Bengals, against Ravens, against Falcons, against Chiefs, against Buccaneers, against Broncos, against Patriots, against Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (5-5), wild card No. 3: Had they managed to beat the Chiefs, they would have done several teams a favor, including themselves. But the Broncos lost the game – and the chance to take a two-game lead over their nearest rivals. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Raiders, vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (4-6), in the hunt: New QB1 Joe Flacco couldn’t stop the three-game deficit. But they have a chance at the Broncos later. Remaining schedule: at Jets, vs. Lions, at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6), in the hunt: QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase couldn’t stem the three-game deficit to start the season. But they have a chance at the Broncos later. (The Colts currently have a better conference record than Cincy, but have also played more of their AFC games.) Remaining schedule: at Chargers, BYE, vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

10. Miami Dolphins (3-6), in the hunt: Their first win since the return of QB Tua Tagovailoa has put them back on the edge of relevance – and the Fins’ upcoming games could further solidify that. Remaining schedule: against Raiders, against Patriots, against Packers, against Jets, against Texans, against 49ers, against Browns, against Jets

11. New York Jets (3-7), in the hunt: Technically, they have a chance to end the league’s longest playoff drought, which dates back to 2010. A loss to Denver in Week 4 is problematic. Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, BYE, vs. Seahawks, at Dolphins, at Jaguars, vs. Rams, at Bills, vs. Dolphins

12. New England Patriots (3-7), in the hunt: Technically, they have a chance to revive their dynastic tradition, which seemingly died out five years ago. A Week 1 win in Cincinnati could come in handy. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Colts, BYE, at Cardinals, at Bills, vs. Chargers, vs. Bills

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NFC playoff image

1. Detroit Lions (8-1), NFC North leaders: Even if they had lost on Sunday night, they would still have a tiebreaker lead over the Eagles and Vikings… which could still prove very helpful down the line. Remaining schedule: against Jaguars, at Colts, against Bears, against Packers, against Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, against Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2), NFC East leaders: The win against the Cowboys on Sunday allowed them to overtake Washington for first place. But that could change after Thursday night’s showdown. Remaining schedule: vs. Commanders, at Rams, at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Atlanta Falcons (6-4), NFC South leaders: They may come to regret Sunday’s loss to the sliding Saints. But a season win over the Bucs effectively gives Atlanta a three-game lead in the division. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, BYE, vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

4. Arizona Cardinals (6-4), NFC West leaders: Since they are winners four times in a row, their departure doesn’t necessarily come at an ideal time. The Cards’ 2-0 record in division play works in their favor; Their 3-3 record in NFC games won’t help them in the tiebreaker against Atlanta (6-2). Remaining schedule: BYE, at Seahawks, at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

5. Minnesota Vikings (7-2), Wild Card No. 1: Their longship has struggled since a 5-0 start, although they survived Jacksonville with a win on Sunday. The upcoming games seem to be forgiving, but the Vikes’ path becomes more and more difficult as time goes on. Remaining schedule: at Titans, at Bears, vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Washington Commanders (7-3), wild card No. 2: Regardless of whether or not they retake the NFC East lead from Philly on Thursday, the Commanders appear to have an easier lineup moving forward that could potentially keep them in the race for the No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, vs. Cowboys, vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

7. Green Bay Packers (6-3), Wild Card No. 3: Hopefully the week off has helped struggling QB Jordan Love as the Pack prepares for the stretch drive – one that could have very different results. Remaining schedule: at Bears, vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

8. San Francisco 49ers (5-4), in contention: The return of RB Christian McCaffrey could be the spark needed for a team that has performed strongly in recent years. However, a 1-2 record in NFC West games could prove to be a hindrance. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks, at Packers, at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

9. Chicago Bears (4-5), in the hunt: A three-game losing streak suggests they may not be in the hunt for much longer – especially considering what lies ahead. Remaining schedule: against Packers, against Vikings, at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, against Lions, against Seahawks, at Packers

10. Los Angeles Rams (4-5), in the hunt: A tough loss to the Dolphins on Monday also leaves them behind the Bears due to a Week 4 loss in Chicago. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, vs. Eagles, at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

11. Seattle Seahawks (4-5), in the hunt: A two-game loss suggests they may not be in the hunt for much longer – especially given what lies ahead. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Cardinals, at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), in the hunt: A three-game loss suggests they may not be in the hunt for much longer – but if they can get key players like WR Mike Evans back after the week off, they have a chance to get to the finish line with a strong kick. Remaining schedule: BYE, at Giants, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

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