Vikings reclaim wild-card spot after Redskins’ loss to Eagles

Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after Week 13’s action.

NFC

1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1): NFC West champions. The first team in 2018 to officially clinch a playoff berth, the Rams wrapped up a second consecutive division crown after pulling away from the Lions. Next week’s opponent, Chicago, is the only one left on the schedule with a winning record, and LA now controls

its destiny as it pertains to pursuing home-field advantage.

2. New Orleans Saints (10-2): NFC South leader. They ceded control of the No. 1 seed after Thursday’s surprising loss at Dallas. The Saints still look like a good bet for a firstround bye but have two dates with Carolina and one with Pittsburgh over the final four weeks.

3. Chicago Bears (8-4): NFC North leader. Can’t lose to teams like the Giants if you hope to catch the Saints. They also missed a golden opportunity to take a major step toward locking up the division... though it helped to have both Green Bay and Minnesota lose.

4. Dallas Cowboys (7-5): NFC East leader. Massive defeat of Saints solidified their playoff hopes while affording mini-bye ahead of home date with Philadelphia. But margin for error remains razor thin.

5. Seattle Seahawks (7-5): Wild card No. 1. They can’t do better than this spot but must be thrilled to have it – especially after some geniuses foresaw a 4-12 season. Helps to have one game apiece remaining against Niners and Cards over next four weeks.

6. Minnesota Vikings (6-5-1): Wild card No. 2. Kirk Cousins can thank his former Washington teammates after their 28-13 Monday night loss in Philly allowed Vikes to move back into the field.

In the hunt: Carolina Panthers (6-6), Philadelphia Eagles (6-6), Washington Redskins (6-6), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7).

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-2):

AFC West leader. Stunning setback in wake of Kareem Hunt’s release. But even as Chiefs continue to sort the fallout, they can still lock down a berth next week.

2. New England Patriots (9-3):

AFC East leader. You hate to diminish them by saying they’re on cruise control at this point. But after dismantling solid Vikings team to start December, the Patriots will be hard to slow down moving forward.

3. Houston Texans (9-3): AFC South leader. Now winners of nine straight, hottest team in the league maintains pressure on Patriots in pursuit of bye. (New England’s Week 1 defeat of Houston still looms large.)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1): AFC North leader. Their come-fromahead loss to the Bolts on Sunday night could effectively eliminate them from quest for a first-round bye.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-3): Wild card No. 1. Their aspirations of winning the AFC West are alive and well. Showdown in Kansas City now just a week and a half away.

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-5): Wild card No. 2. Now 3-0 with rookie QB Lamar Jackson as the starter after Sunday’s win in Atlanta, they can’t let up with so many teams on their heels.

In the hunt: Denver Broncos (6-6), Indianapolis Colts (6-6), Miami Dolphins (6-6), Tennessee Titans (6-6), Cincinnati Bengals (5-7).

(USA Today/TNS)