Midway Update: Who’s In and Out?
In Week 9 of the NFL season, significant movements occurred in both the AFC and NFC playoff picture. The top seeds suffered defeats, altering the standings and shaping the playoff race going forward.
Week 9 Highlights
The Indianapolis Colts were one of the top seeds but fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27–20. This loss was marked by five turnovers from quarterback Daniel Jones.
Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers lost at home against the Carolina Panthers. Despite limiting Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to 102 passing yards and an interception, the Packers fell 16–13.
AFC Standings and Key Performances
- Indianapolis Colts (7–2) – Despite the loss, they maintain a 1.5-game lead in the AFC South. They will play the Atlanta Falcons in Germany next.
- New England Patriots (7–2) – They narrowly defeated the Atlanta Falcons 24–23, remaining a half-game ahead of the Buffalo Bills.
- Buffalo Bills (6–3) – The Bills secured a strong 28–21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, with quarterback Josh Allen throwing three touchdowns and completing 23 of 26 passes.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (5–3) – After capitalizing on turnovers against the Colts, they remain two games ahead in the AFC North.
NFC Standings and Key Games
- Philadelphia Eagles (6–2) – Benefiting from a bye week, they moved to the top seed in the conference.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6–2) – After their bye, they will face the Patriots, aiming to extend their lead in the NFC South.
- Los Angeles Rams (5–2–1) – They defeated the New Orleans Saints 34–10, with Matthew Stafford throwing for four touchdowns.
- Detroit Lions (5–3) – The Lions missed an opportunity to gain ground by losing to the Minnesota Vikings.
Playoff Probabilities and Remaining Opponents
As teams prepare for their upcoming matches, playoff probabilities are crucial for understanding their chances moving forward.
| Team | Record | Playoff Probability | Remaining Opponents Above .500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 7–2 | 94% | 5 |
| Patriots | 7–2 | 97% | 2 |
| Bills | 6–3 | 77% | 5 |
| Eagles | 6–2 | 93% | 5 |
| Lions | 5–3 | 76% | 5 |
As the season progresses, teams will compete fiercely to improve their standings and secure a place in the playoffs. The next few weeks will be pivotal for many franchises as they strive for postseason success.
