The witching hour was in full effect across the NFL on the Sunday of Week 3. Both the early and late windows had climactic endings to one or more games, headlined by the dramatic come-from-behind victory by the Los Angeles Rams over the San Francisco 49ers.
PFN’s Playoff Predictor certainly saw some changes with some of the shocking results in Week 3. Now that we are close to being one-sixth of the way through the regular-season, let’s update how the playoff picture looks in both the AFC and NFC.
Current NFL Standings After Sunday’s Week 3 Action
AFC Playoff Picture
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
2) Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
3) Buffalo Bills (2-0)
4) Houston Texans (2-1)
5) New York Jets (2-1)
6) Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)
7) Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
In the Hunt
8) Miami Dolphins (1-2)
9) New England Patriots (1-2)
10) Denver Broncos (1-2)
11) Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
12) Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
13) Cleveland Browns (1-2)
14) Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
15) Tennessee Titans (0-3)
16) Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
NFC Playoff Picture
1) Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
2) Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
3) Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
5) New Orleans Saints (2-1)
6) Detroit Lions (2-1)
7) Green Bay Packers (2-1)
In the Hunt
8) Washington Commanders (1-1)
9) Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
10) Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
11) Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
12) San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
13) New York Giants (1-2)
14) Carolina Panthers (1-2)
15) Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
16) Chicago Bears (1-2)
Steelers Are the AFC’s Current No. 1 Seed
The Justin Fields experiment is working well so far for the Steelers. Pittsburgh is 3-0 for the first time since 2020 and only the second time in the last 14 seasons.
It’s not just Fields, though, that has the Steelers off to a 3-0 start. The team’s defense has been reminding everybody why they are one of the best units in the NFL. They have held all three opponents to 10 points or less in each of the first three games.
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If Fields continues to make strides and the Steelers’ defense continues to shut down opposing offenses, Pittsburgh can make the playoffs and win the AFC North. Their schedule from Weeks 11-18 is wicked, though, with all six AFC North games, a road game at the Philadelphia Eagles, and a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas.
Bills-Chiefs Round Four Coming?
Right now, the Bills and Chiefs are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the AFC playoff picture. That means it’s likely those two teams could meet again in the AFC Divisional Round this season.
It would be the fourth Bills-Chiefs playoff matchup this decade. We all know how the last three postseason meetings have gone. Forget the Chiefs winning all of those games. All three playoff clashes between the two teams this decade have been great games and instant classics.
Will the Jets End Their Playoff Drought?
It’s been well over a decade since the New York Jets last made the playoffs, with their last postseason appearance coming in 2010. That’s the longest active drought without a playoff appearance in the NFL.
The Jets would be the No. 5 seed in the AFC if the season ended today. Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to three road playoff wins and a win in Super Bowl XLV in 2010. Now, Rodgers could have the opportunity to repeat history with the Jets in 2024.
Jim Harbaugh To Make the Playoffs in First Season?
Jim Harbaugh has gotten the Chargers off to a strong start in 2024. Despite losing at the Steelers in Week 3, the Chargers are still the current sixth seed in the AFC.
In 2011, Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to the playoffs in his first season in the Bay Area. Everywhere he has been as a head coach, Harbaugh has immediately turned the program/franchise into a contender. The same could happen in Los Angeles in 2024.
Can the Raiders Make the Playoffs?
Right now, they’re the current seventh seed in the AFC. This is one of those questions that can be asked just in Week 3 of the NFL season.
The Raiders didn’t have a lot of expectations coming into the season. Despite being in the current No. 7 seed position in the AFC, they lost 36-22 to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. That’s not going to cast a lot of optimism in the short-term future this season.
Ravens and Bengals on the Way Outside Looking In
At No. 12 and No. 14, respectively, the two teams that were viewed as the AFC North favorites coming into the season have both gotten off to slow starts. Both teams were 0-2 going into Week 3.
The Ravens got their first win of the season in Week 3 with a 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Cincinnati doesn’t play until Monday night, when it hosts the Washington Commanders.
With a lot of the season still to play, it’s fair to think the Ravens and Bengals will both be in the thick of the playoff picture come late December/early January.
Vikings in the Current Position for the No. 1 Seed
It’s been 26 years since the Vikings were the NFC’s top seed, but that could change this season. Quarterback Sam Darnold has gotten the Vikings off to a 3-0 start, but this team is so much more than Darnold.
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Minnesota’s defense has allowed just 30 points through its first three games. That’s an average of 10 points per game, and they played the 49ers and Texans in the last two weeks.
The Vikings have a really good team through three weeks. Their schedule will get tougher, with a road game at the Packers in Week 4. But right now, the Vikings look the part of a playoff contender.
Three NFC North Teams To Make the Playoffs?
The NFC North is legitimizing itself as one of the NFL’s best divisions. Through three weeks, three teams have winning records and are currently in the playoff picture.
It’s worth noting that there has not been an NFC North matchup yet this season. That changes this week with the Vikings playing at the Packers. Right now, though, the depth of talent in this division is prevalent.
The 49ers Are the No. 12 Seed in the NFC
This may be the most shocking development through three weeks. The reigning NFC champions are way outside the playoff picture through three weeks.
We have seen the 49ers overcome slow starts and losing streaks the last three seasons, but injuries have mounted through three weeks of the 2024 campaign. The 49ers let a crucial game slip away at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, and they’re now two games out of first place in the NFC West.
NFC West standing after three weeks:
– Seahawks: 3-0
– Cardinals: 1-2
– Rams: 1-2
– 49ers: 1-2 pic.twitter.com/CS5ZNElPIH— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2024
The 49ers should get healthy with key players like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle returning. There’s still a lot of season left to play, but it’s shocking to see the 49ers in the No. 12 seed through three weeks.
The Cowboys Are in Second-To-Last Place in the NFC
After a really good performance in Week 1, the Cowboys have taken massive steps back the last two weeks.
The Cowboys’ defense was gashed by the Saints and Ravens’ running games, raising many questions about coordinator Mike Zimmer’s unit.
Now the Cowboys go on the road to face the Giants on Thursday Night Football in Week 4 and the Steelers on Sunday Night Football in Week 5. Those two games seem winnable, but the Cowboys have not inspired a lot of confidence in their last two games.