If the NFL playoffs began this week, Super Bowl mainstay and AFC powerhouse Kansas City would miss the tournament with the Jacksonville Jaguars swiping the final wild-card spot.
In the NFC, the Chicago Bears (5-3) are eighth in the conference, meaning no postseason — despite being one of three teams in the NFC North with an identical record. The No. 7 seed in the loaded NFC at present is the Detroit Lions (5-3).
Here is a complete look at the playoff bracket in each conference after nine weeks:
AFC
First Round Bye: 1. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) at 2. New England Patriots (7-2)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) at 3. Denver Broncos (7-2)
5. Buffalo Bills (6-2) at 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
Wild-card contenders:
8. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
9. Houston Texans (3-5); Texans own a head-to-head win over the Ravens.
10. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
NFC
First Round Bye
1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
7. Detroit Lions (5-3) at 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)*
6. San Francisco 49ers (6-3) at 3. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
5. Los Angeles Rams (6-2) at 4. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)
*Buccaneers own a head-to-head win over the Seahawks
Wild-card contenders:
8. Chicago Bears (5-3)
9. Carolina Panthers (5-4)
10. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
11. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)
12. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
14. Washington Commanders (3-6)
–Field Level Media
