We entered Week 7 with two undefeated teams in the NFL, but only one left without a loss. As we work our way through Week 8, the Kansas City Chiefs are in first place in the AFC as the only team without a blemish.
The Detroit Lions were in the lead in the NFC entering Week 8 after beating the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings opened this week with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams and the Lions easily romped over the Titans on Sunday.
As we continue through Week 8, we will update this article with the latest information. All 32 teams are in action and there are no byes, so this will he very fluid through the day on Sunday and eventually into Monday night. Stay tuned.
Note: In the standings below, only the pertinent tiebreakers are listed.
AFC standings during Week 8
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-0)
2. Houston Texans (6-2)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, 4-1 AFC)
4. Buffalo Bills (5-2, 4-2 AFC)
5. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
6. Denver Broncos (4-3)
7. Indianapolis Colts (4-4, .444 strength of victory)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (3-3, .333 strength of victory)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
10. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5, .438 strength of victory)
11. Miami Dolphins (2-5, .250 strength of victory)
12. Cleveland Browns (2-6, 2-2 AFC)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6, 2-4 AFC, .313 SoV for NE)
14. New England Patriots (2-6, 2-4 AFC, .200 SoV for JAX, H2H over NYJ)
15. New York Jets (2-6, 2-3 AFC)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
NFC standings during Week 8
1. Detroit Lions (6-1)
2. Washington Commanders (5-2, 3-1 NFC over PHI)
3. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
4. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
5. Green Bay Packers (6-2, loss to MIN)
6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2, 17-18 SoV over PHI)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2, 3-2 NFC for division, 13-23 SoV for WC)
8. Chicago Bears (4-2, 2-0 NFC)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4, 4-2 NFC)
10. Arizona Cardinals (4-4, 2-3 NFC)
11. Dallas Cowboys (3-3, 1-2 NFC)
12. Los Angeles Rams (3-4, win over 49ers)
13. San Francisco 49ers (3-4, loss to ARI)
14. New Orleans Saints (2-5, 2-3 NFC)
15. New York Giants (2-5, 1-4 NFC)
16. Carolina Panthers (1-6)
Week 8 playoff picture takeaways
All 4 NFC North teams are in playoff position
The coolest factoid in the playoff picture right now is the emergence of the NFC North. While the Lions and Vikings played last week, it was only the second divisional game of the year, so they haven’t had a chance to beat up on each other.
Has an NFL division ever sent every team to the playoffs?
No NFL division has ever had every member make the playoffs. It wasn’t possible until the 2020 season when the NFL added a third Wild Card to allow the division winner and the three other teams to earn a berth.
Lions are the best team in the NFC
Detroit was a heavy favorite against Tennessee and handled their business with ease, winning 52-14. The Lions will leave Week 8 with the best record in the NFC and are the best team in the conference.
Falcons have control of the NFC South
The Falcons beat the Bucs 31-26 and completed the season sweep. They have a one-game lead over Tampa Bay, but in reality it’s like a two-game lead thanks to securing the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Ravens shocked by Browns to slip further back behind Chiefs
The Ravens were a sizable favorite to Jameis Winston and the Browns, but they lost a shocker in Cleveland. Baltimore drops behind Pittsburgh even if the Steelers lose to the Giants on Monday thanks to the division record tiebreaker.
Texans take control of the AFC South with sweep of Colts
Houston barely held off Indianapolis, but they got the job done with a 23-20 win. They won both matchups between the two teams to secure the head-to-head tiebreaker in the division race. The Jaguars and Titans are all but out of the race and the 6-2 Texans now hold a two-game lead over the Colts, plus the tiebreaker.
NFL Division Standings
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills, 5-2
- Miami Dolphins, 2-5
- New England Patriots, 2-6 (H2H over NYJ)
- New York Jets, 2-6
AFC North
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 5-2
- Baltimore Ravens, 5-3
- Cincinnati Bengals, 3-5
- Cleveland Browns, 2-6
AFC South
- Houston Texans, 5-2
- Indianapolis Colts, 4-3
- Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-6
- Tennessee Titans, 1-6
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs, 6-0
- Denver Broncos, 4-3
- Los Angeles Chargers, 3-3
- Las Vegas Raiders, 2-5
NFC East
- Washington Commanders, 5-2 (H2H over PHI)
- Philadelphia Eagles, 5-2
- Dallas Cowboys, 3-3
- New York Giants, 2-5
NFC North
- Detroit Lions, 6-1
- Green Bay Packers, 6-2
- Minnesota Vikings, 5-2
- Chicago Bears, 4-2
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons, 5-3
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-4
- New Orleans Saints, 2-5
- Carolina Panthers, 1-6
NFC West
- Seattle Seahawks, 4-3
- Arizona Cardinals, 4-4
- Los Angeles Rams, 3-4 (H2H over SF)
- San Francisco 49ers, 3-4
