How the NFL playoff picture looks coming out of Week 7

The NFL is wrapping up Week 7, and a few teams are standing out in the playoff picture heading into Week 8.

By David Fucillo@davidfucillo Updated Oct 24, 2021, 4:28pm PDT

Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Ja’Marr Chase #1 celebrate a touchdown during the second half in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The NFL is headed into the late slate, but we’ve already had a pair of statement wins in the playoff race. The Bengals went into Baltimore and crushed the Ravens to take over first place in the AFC North. Meanwhile, the Titans had no trouble with the Chiefs in Nashville, jumping out to a 27-0 first half lead and cruising to victory.

Just as important for the Bengals is they now hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They hold a tiebreaker edge over the Titans based on conference record. The Chargers and Bills are on bye this week.

Over in the NFC, chalk is holding for now up top with the Packers beating Washington in the early slate. Much of the big dogs in the NFC are playing Sunday afternoon and evening, with Saints vs. Seahawks closing things out on Monday. We’ll update results as they arrive the rest of Sunday and Monday.

PM update: The Raiders impressed with a win over the Eagles and hold a half-game lead in the AFC West. The Rams held off a game Lions squad to improve to 6-1 and remain a half game back of the Cardinals. The Bucs thumped the Bears and the Cardinals bounced back from a slow start to beat the Texans handily.

SNF update: The Colts beat the 49ers in a monsoon in Santa Clara and find themselves only one game back of the final wild card berth heading into Week 8.

Here’s a look at what the playoff picture looks like Sunday evening as Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football close out Week 7. Any team with two wins is removed from the “outside looking in” section.