What Week 13 means for the 2020 NFL playoff picture

UPDATE: We’re updating NFL playoff standings here coming out of Week 13.

The NFL is firmly into December after a lengthy Week 12. The Ravens and Steelers finally played on Wednesday after three separate postponements, but that also meant the Ravens Week 13 Thursday Night Football contest against Cowboys was bumped back. And so, Week 13 will open on Sunday instead of Thursday, and close with a doubleheader on Monday and Ravens-Cowboys on Tuesday.

This week brings some critical matchups for playoff positioning. The most notable features the 8-3 Titans hosting the 8-3 Browns. Against teams with winning records, Cleveland has a win over the Colts and two bad losses to the Ravens and Steelers. They are in great shape to earn a playoff berth, but a win over the Titans would put them in prime position to clinch a berth in the next week or two.

In the NFC, the Rams and Cardinals meet in Arizona looking to maintain pace with the Seahawks. Seattle hosts the Giants and is likely to improve to 9-3. A Cardinals win would be crushing for the Rams division chances, while a Rams win drops Arizona into a clump for the last playoff spot.

Below is a look at what each conference’s playoff standings look like heading into Week 13, along with notable games on the schedule. Here’s a full list of tiebreakers for determining playoff standings.

AFC

1. Pittsburgh Steelers, 11-0
2. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-1
3. Tennessee Titans, 8-3 (H2H over Bills)
4. Buffalo Bills, 8-3

5. Cleveland Browns, 8-3
6. Miami Dolphins, 7-4 (Conference record over Colts)
7. Indianapolis Colts, 7-4

Outside looking in: Baltimore Ravens (6-5), Las Vegas Raiders (6-5)

Browns (8-3) @ Titans (8-3)
Bengals (2-8-1) @ Dolphins (7-4)
Raiders (6-5) @ Jets (0-11)
Colts (7-4) 2 Texans (4-7)
Broncos (4-7) @ Chiefs (10-1)
Washington (4-7) @ Steelers (11-0)
Bills (8-3) @ 49ers (5-6)
Cowboys (3-8) @ Ravens (6-5)

NFC

1. New Orleans Saints, 9-2
2. Seattle Seahawks, 8-3
3. Green Bay Packers, 8-3
4. New York Giants, 4-7

5. Los Angeles Rams, 7-4
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-5
7. Arizona Cardinals, 6-5

Outside looking in: Minnesota Vikings (5-6), Chicago Bears (5-6), San Francisco 49ers (5-6), Washington Football Team (4-7), Philadelphia Eagles (3-7-1), Dallas Cowboys (3-8)

Saints (9-2) @ Falcons (4-7)
Lions (4-7) @ Bears (5-6)
Jaguars (1-10) @ Vikings (5-6)
Rams (7-4) @ Cardinals (6-5)
Giants (4-7) @ Seahawks (8-3)
Eagles (3-7-1) @ Packers (8-3)
Bills (8-3) @ 49ers (5-6)
Cowboys (3-8) @ Ravens (6-5)