With 10 weeks in the books, it is officially time to closely watch the NFL standings. The playoff picture in both conferences is starting to take shape and will continue to fluctuate as the year goes on. Some teams, like the LA Chargers, are firmly in a playoff spot with an easy road ahead. Others, though, are not as lucky.
With seven playoff teams in both conferences, there are more teams in the hunt searching for a playoff spot. However, the 2024 season has been unique as 10 of the 32 teams in the league have three or fewer wins through 10 weeks.
The current NFL standings after Week 10 do not mean anything; there will be plenty of movement from now through Week 18. What does matter is the remaining strength of schedule, as it adds important context to the current playoff picture.
NFL standings based on remaining strength of schedule:
Standings will be ranked from easiest remaining strength of schedule to hardest, as having an easier schedule is an inherent advantage for a team.
AFC standings:
- Indianapolis Colts - .368 SOS (AFC seed: 8th)
- Miami Dolphins - .405 SOS (AFC seed: 12th)
- Jacksonville Jaguars - .409 SOS (AFC seed: 16th)
- New York Jets - .413 SOS (AFC seed: 10th)
- Houston Texans - .422 SOS (AFC seed: 4th)
- Las Vegas Raiders - .487 SOS (AFC seed: 15th)
- Denver Broncos - .500 SOS (AFC seed: 7th)
- Cincinnati Bengals - .500 SOS (AFC seed: 9th)
- LA Chargers - .513 SOS (AFC seed: 6th)
- Kansas City Chiefs - .513 SOS (AFC seed: 1st)
- Buffalo Bills - .538 SOS (AFC seed: 2nd)
- Pittsburgh Steelers - .553 SOS (AFC seed: 3rd)
- Baltimore Ravens - .569 SOS (AFC seed: 5th)
- New England Patriots - .585 SOS (AFC seed: 11th)
- Cleveland Browns - .587 SOS (AFC seed: 13th)
Outside of the Indianapolis Colts, who cannot figure out their own quarterback situation, many of the teams who have a much easier path than the Chargers moving forward are not actually in playoff contention.
The Jaguars, Dolphins. Jets, Raiders and Titans all have three or fewer wins thus far this season. While anything can happen, it would take a truly disastrous meltdown by the Chargers to lose a playoff spot to one of those teams with the cushion the Bolts have built up.
Meanwhile, every single team with a better seed than the Chargers has a harder remaining schedule outside of the Houston Texans, who have absolutely no impact on the Bolts. Unfortunately, though, the Chargers probably aren't catching the undefeated Chiefs to win the AFC West.
NFC standings:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - .328 SOS (NFC seed: 12th)
- New Orleans Saints - .415 SOS (NFC seed: 14th)
- Arizona Cardinals - .469 SOS (NFC seed: 4th)
- Washington Commanders - .477 SOS (NFC seed: 6th)
- Atlanta Falcons - .478 SOS (NFC seed: 3rd)
- Los Angeles Rams - .482 SOS (NFC seed: 9th)
- New York Giants - .500 SOS (NFC seed: 16th)
- Dallas Cowboys - .506 SOS (NFC seed: 13th)
- Green Bay Packers - .514 SOS (NFC seed: 7th)
- Philadelphia Eagles - .526 SOS (NFC seed: 2nd)
- Detroit Lions - .533 SOS (NFC seed: 1st)
- Minnesota Vikings - .541 SOS (NFC seed: 5th)
- Seattle Seahawks - .554 SOS (NFC seed: 11th)
- Carolina Panthers - .582 SOS (NFC seed: 15th)
- San Francisco 49ers - .583 SOS (NFC seed: 8th)
- Chicago Bears - .708 SOS (NFC seed: 10th)
The Chicago Bears fans who were excited three weeks ago have come crashing back down to Earth. After an embarrassing 19-3 loss in a very winnable game, the Bears have the toughest road ahead and it is not even close. No other team has a remaining SOS over .600. The Bears are at .700.
Washington is also in a good position to continue its miracle season. While the Commanders lost control of the NFC East, the team has the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the NFC while firmly in a playoff position.
One team that is looking to usurp Washington is the San Francisco 49ers, who have dealt with more bad injury luck than any other team this season. If the 49ers are going to dig themselves out of the hole then they will have to do so with a tough remaining schedule.