NFL playoff picture as Week 12 starts: Raiders replace Colts in AFC bracket
Nate DavisHere's how the NFL playoff picture looks with Week 12 now underway:
AFC
1. New England Patriots (9-1): AFC East leader. After surviving the Eagles in Sunday's Super Bowl LII rematch, they draw another NFC East opponent when the Cowboys come to Foxborough. Interconference games have far fewer tiebreaking implications, but the Pats can't afford to slip up after losing their head-to-head matchup with Baltimore.
2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2): AFC North leader. The hottest team in the league at the moment and ready to make a play for home-field advantage if New England falters. Next two against NFC West (at Rams, host 49ers).
3. Houston Texans (7-4): AFC South leader. Recovered from their beatdown at Baltimore in Week 11 to knock off the Colts on Thursday night and claim first place in the division outright. Week 6 win in Kansas City moves Texans from sixth spot all the way to third. But beware: New England visits on other side of upcoming mini-bye.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4): AFC West leader. They held off the Chargers on Monday night, meaning they also held off the Raiders for first place in the division.
5. Buffalo Bills (7-3): Wild card No. 1. They continue to largely maximize a soft schedule, but can't blame them for that. Next up, the reeling Broncos head to Western New York.
6. Oakland Raiders (6-4): Wild card No. 2. They return to the field, replacing the Colts in the wake of Thursday night's loss at Houston. The Silver & Black can firm up their position by beating the suddenly ascending Jets on Sunday. However that Week 4 win in Indianapolis also looms as a critical tiebreaker for the Raiders down the road.
NFC
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-1): NFC West leader. They've struggled the past three weeks, sandwiching a pair of escape-act victories to the lowly Cardinals around their overtime heartbreaker to Seattle. Had they tripped against Arizona on Sunday, the Niners would have plummeted to fifth in the bracket. A Week 12 showdown with Green Bay looms large.
2. Green Bay Packers (8-2): NFC North leader. They hold the second spot by virtue of a superior record in conference games to New Orleans but are looking to move up with the Niners on deck.
3. New Orleans Saints (8-2): NFC South leader. While the 49ers host the Pack Sunday night, the Saints welcome the reeling Panthers to the Superdome. Should be a golden opportunity to climb back into position for a first-round bye.
4. Dallas Cowboys (6-4): NFC East leader. Sunday was a good day given their victory at Detroit coupled with Philadelphia's loss, which essentially gives Dallas a 1½-game lead in division for the moment. Nice little cushion to have considering the Cowboys visit the Patriots next.
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-2): Wild card No. 1. Enjoyed a needed break after their big win in San Francisco. But their Week 12 assignment entails playing the Eagles in Philadelphia for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The 'Hawks can easily move into bye territory or fall from the field entirely depending how things go in the loaded NFC.
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-3): Wild card No. 2. Came very close to getting ambushed at home by the Broncos but might have wound up with a galvanizing victory instead as they head into off week.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders.