The NFL Playoff Race is Absolutely Unhinged Right Now
Week 13 and nothing makes sense anymore. Photo: Pixabay
Ard, somebody needs to explain to me what is happening in the NFL this year because this jawn is WILD. We got the Chiefs sitting at 6-5, on the outside looking in at the playoffs. The Patriots—THE PATRIOTS—are 10-2 and running the AFC East. And my Birds just lost to the Bears on Black Friday. The defending Super Bowl champs got cooked by Chicago. I’m not okay.
Look, I picked the Eagles to repeat this year. I’m not gonna pretend I didn’t. It physically pains me to admit I might have been wrong about that but the numbers are the numbers. According to CBS Sports’ playoff picture breakdown, Chicago is now sitting on top of the NFC North after that Black Friday win. The BEARS. In first place. In late November.
Let’s talk about Drake Maye for a second because that boul is playing out of his mind right now. He’s on what analysts are calling an “MVP-caliber run” under Mike Vrabel. Three of their last five opponents have losing records and three of those five are division games. The schedule sets up perfect for New England to lock up their first division title since Tom Brady’s last season in 2019.
Marcus’s Take:
Meanwhile in Kansas City… man. The dynasty might actually be ending. The Chiefs are 6-5, sitting outside the playoff picture, and according to NBC Sports, they’ve got games against the Broncos and Chargers in the final two weeks that could determine whether they even make it to January. This is the same franchise that won three of the last five Super Bowls.
The Broncos are the story nobody’s talking about. Bo Nix has that clutch gene—late-game composure that you can’t teach—and Vance Joseph’s defense is legit. Denver is in position to potentially end Kansas City’s run of TEN STRAIGHT division titles. That’s not a typo. The Chiefs have won the AFC West every year since 2016 and it might finally be over.
Now let me address what happened to my Eagles because I’m still processing it. The Bears came into that Black Friday game and dominated. Bleacher Report notes the Eagles remain in the playoff picture but that loss raises serious questions about whether they can make another deep run. What happened to our offensive line? Why does Jalen look uncomfortable? Why can’t we run the ball anymore?
Real Talk:
Here’s the thing about the NFC though—the Rams and Eagles are still considered well on their way to the dance according to most projections. The question is seeding. And in a 14-team playoff format, seeding matters. That first-round bye goes to one team per conference. Right now nothing is locked.
The AFC is even more chaotic. You got the Colts, Steelers, and Chargers all fighting for wild card spots. Aaron Rodgers is apparently playing vintage ball at 41 years old but he’s coming off an injury. The Steelers hold the North lead mostly because the Ravens aren’t healthy. Lamar Jackson doesn’t look right and everyone can see it.
The Good News:
My predictions for how this plays out: Patriots take the AFC East (it hurts to type that). Denver finally dethrones Kansas City in the West. Eagles recover and win the NFC East but miss the one seed. Bears make it interesting but ultimately fall to whoever comes out of the NFC West.
But honestly? I’ve been wrong about half my picks this year already. This season has humbled me. My old shoulder from college is acting up just from the stress of watching these games. Football in 2025 is different. Parity is real. The old dynasties are fading and new ones are forming.
And I’m here for all of it. Even when my Birds lose on national television to a team from Chicago. Especially then, actually. Because that’s football, man. That’s the whole jawn.
