Playoff picture: Packers, Chiefs, Colts rise in Week 14

AFC

1. New England Patriots (9-4), AFC East leaders: They weren't in danger of losing home-field advantage during their off week. Now rested up for the stretch run, they next hit the road for a game in Indianapolis against another surging squad. Remaining schedule: at Colts, vs. Bills, vs. Jaguars, at Dolphins

2. Tennessee Titans (9-4), AFC South leaders: They're very quietly chugging along, effectively owning a 2½-game lead in the division courtesy of their season sweep of the Colts, amid an NFL Network report that injured RB Derrick Henry is poised to return for postseason – if not sooner. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Texans

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4), AFC West leaders: Winners of six in a row, it seems almost all of their early season questions are behind them ... and the No. 1 seed could very well be in their future. Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Steelers, at Bengals, at Broncos

4. Baltimore Ravens (8-5), AFC North leaders: Just two weeks ago, they were the conference's No. 1 seed. Who knows where they'll be two weeks from now, especially if QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) has to miss time. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at Bengals, vs. Rams, vs. Steelers

5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5), wild card No. 1: QB Justin Herbert continues to play like a potential MVP, and the Bolts gained a bit of breathing room on the other potential wild-card entries Sunday. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, at Texans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders

6. Indianapolis Colts (7-6), wild card No. 2: Pretty good bye week when you jump into projected playoff field without lifting a finger. They're as hot as just about anybody after winning six of eight, and a 6-3 record in conference games serves them well in tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Jaguars

7. Buffalo Bills (7-6), wild card No. 3: Their clinging to the final playoff berth despite losing three of four. But if they win out – a reasonable possibility given their schedule –retaining the AFC East crown is still in play. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers, at Patriots, vs. Falcons, vs. Jets

The rest: 8. Cleveland Browns (7-6), 9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6), 10. Denver Broncos (7-6), 11. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1), 12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7), 13. Miami Dolphins (6-7).

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers (10-3), NFC North leaders: Overcame slow start to complete sweep of the hated Chicago Bears. Now Pack has inside track for consecutive No. 1 seeds thanks to Arizona's loss Monday. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Browns, vs. Vikings, at Lions

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3), NFC South leaders: They escaped Buffalo's second-half charge but couldn't make up ground on Pack due to Tampa's inferior conference record (6-3). Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, at Panthers, at Jets, vs. Panthers

3. Arizona Cardinals (10-3), NFC West leaders: They fumbled a chance to clinch a playoff spot, coughed up the conference's No. 1 seed and now only have a onegame lead in the division. Remaining schedule: at Lions, vs. Colts, at Cowboys, vs. Seahawks

4. Dallas Cowboys (9-4), NFC East leaders: Threegame division lead with four weeks to go. The Cowboys also get one more crack at all of their NFC East rivals after sweeping to a 3-0 record against them so far. Remaining schedule: at Giants, vs. Washington, vs. Cardinals, at Eagles

5. Los Angeles Rams (9-4), wild card No. 1: Big win in desert separated them from other wild-card aspirants while putting LA back in mix for NFC West crown. Appears their new parts finally jelling. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks, at Vikings, at Ravens, vs. 49ers

6. San Francisco 49ers (7-6), wild card No. 2: Massive OT win in Cincinnati greatly increased chances of being the third NFC West team invited to the party – and only one game left in their divisional gauntlet. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Titans, vs. Texans, at Rams

7. Washington Football Team (6-7), wild card No. 3: The good news? Despite losing their four-game winning streak, they remain in the projected playoff field. The bad news? Four other teams share the WFT's 6-7 record, so the margin for error is officially zero at this point. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, at Cowboys, vs. Eagles, at Giants

The rest: 8. Minnesota Vikings (6-7), 9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7), 10. Atlanta Falcons (6-7), 11. New Orleans Saints (6-7).

JAY BIGGERSTAFF / USA TODAY Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (right) celebrates with receiver Tyreek Hill during Kansas City’s win on Sunday.