Another regular NFL season is coming to a close and some teams have already booked their slots in the playoffs. After 13 games of that regular campaign, four teams had made it through to the postseason.
In the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills have secured the divisional title, while the Kansas City Chiefs have done the same in the AFC West. Over in the NFC, the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles are through to the playoffs and both look likely to secure their divisional awards.
All other playoff slots are up for grabs, so there is plenty of competition remaining in the 2024 regular season campaign.
Favorites Close to Confirming
Of the teams yet to book their playoff slots after 13 games, the Pittsburgh Steelers carry the shortest figures in current NFL playoff odds. The Steelers are based in the AFC North and a record of 10-3 after 13 games suggests a playoff berth is certain.
Pittsburgh are the favorites to win the Super Bowl, but those three losses give hope to other contenders. As for progression to the playoffs, the team’s place in the postseason is all but guaranteed.
Despite those three losses, Pittsburgh has been strong. Their key stats for 2024 show that the majority of their influential players are in good form with regular starting quarterback Russell Wilson now returning to the team following injury.
With Wilson recovered, the Steelers look strong going into the postseason.
Bubbling Under
Pittsburgh Steelers’ rivals in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens, are also expected to make the playoffs. After 13 games, the Ravens’ 8-5 record may not look impressive, but they remain fourth favorites to win the Super Bowl next February.
Like all NFL teams, the quarterback is the key player in Baltimore’s story. Having featured in all 13 of those opening games, starting QB Lamar Jackson is seventh in the overall player standings. If he maintains that form, Baltimore could be the surprise package this year.
Other teams from the AFC most likely to make the playoffs include the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos. Franchises such as the Miami Dolphins, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Cincinnati Bengals remain in contention, but they have significantly more ground to make up.
NFC Contenders
Over in the NFC, we’ve already seen that the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles have booked their places in the postseason. Behind the two teams that have already qualified, some divisions are effectively settled, while others remain up for grabs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked to have sealed the title in the NFC South, but they face competition from the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins is the key to the team’s progression. He sits in third place in the overall QB stats and has 292 completions along with 17 touchdown passes.
If Cousins could receive more support from the offense around him, the Falcons could go deep into the postseason.
Behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings may well finish with the best record of any second-placed team. The Vikings were 11-2 after 13 games, and look set to progress.
Other NFC sides in a strong position after those 13 games are the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders. Below those franchises in the standings are teams such as the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s a fast-moving league and those remaining playoff slots may well be decided before the Christmas break.
Crucial Fixtures
For those looking beyond the playoffs for a potential Super Bowl winner, the teams that qualify early are in the best positions. If there are any injury niggles on their roster, they can afford to rest players and get them ready for the postseason.
For those who have yet to book their place, the next games are critical. If a team is playing a franchise that is already eliminated, they may stand a better chance of claiming a win against weaker and demoralized opponents. In contrast, if both teams have the mathematical possibility of making it through to the playoffs, the final rounds of fixtures are much tougher to call.
The NFL playoffs will begin on January 11, 2025, and the final lineup may not be confirmed until the very last regular season match. All of the teams mentioned retain a chance of making it into the postseason at the time of writing, but much can happen in the coming weeks.
The final games of any regular season are pivotal for those still in contention. Key players put themselves on the line, and there may be a higher chance of injury in these final fixtures. There’s much at stake heading into the New Year, and results in earlyJanuary will offer a key insight into the franchises most likely to make the Super Bowl on February 9.
