by Billie Weiss/Getty Images
We’re halfway through the 2022 NFL season and the playoff picture is beginning to take shape, although there could be plenty of movement going into Week 17.
Week 11 saw some exciting action and it started with the Tennessee Titans beating the Green Bay Packers 27-17 Thursday night soccer. The win put the Titans 7-3 that season, good for the AFC No. 3. The Packers, meanwhile, continued to fall out of playoff contention in the NFC with a 4-7 record.
Sunday’s standings were highlighted by New England Patriots defeating the New York Jets, Detroit Lions defeating the New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints defeating the Los Angeles Rams.
With their losses, the Giants fell to 7-3, the Rams to 3-7 and the Jets to 6-4.
There are more games to come, but let’s take a look at the current playoff picture:
AFC playoff image
- Kansas City Chiefs: 8-2
- Miami Dolphins: 7-3
- Tennessee Titans: 7-3
- Baltimore Ravens: 7-3
- Buffalo bills: 7-3
- New England Patriots: 6-4
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-4
- New York Jets: 6-4
- Los Angeles Chargers: 5-5
- Indianapolis Colts: 4-6-1
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-7
- Las Vegas Raiders: 3-7
- Cleveland Browns: 3-7
- Denver-Broncos: 3-7
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-7
- Houston Texans: 1-8-1
NFC playoff image
- Philly Eagles: 9-1
- Minnesota Vikings: 8-2
- Seattle Seahawks: 6-4
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-5
- Dallas Cowboys: 7-3
- New York Giants: 7-3
- San Francisco 49ers: 5-4
- Washington Commanders: 6-5
- Atlanta Falcons: 5-6
- Detroit Lions: 4-6
- Arizona Cardinals: 4-6
- Green Bay Packers: 4-7
- New Orleans Saints: 4-7
- Los Angeles Rams: 3-7
- Carolina Panthers: 3-8
- Chicago Bears: 3-8
The Giants were embarrassed by the Lions 31-18 on Sunday as quarterback Daniel Jones completed 27 of 44 passes for 341 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions.
Star running back Saquon Barkley also put in a disappointing performance, running just 22 yards on 15 carries. New York’s defense was just as big a problem, allowing the Lions running back Jamaal Williams for 64 yards and three points.
The Lions totaled 325 yards of offense in Sunday’s win.
Detroit Lions @lions
hat trick for @jswaggdaddy❗️#DETvsNYG | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/hGgZRzLuKd
However, the G-Men drew much criticism for failing to pick up another wide receiver at the close, and the team’s passing problems only became more apparent after they lost their second game in their last three games.
The Giants are still firmly in a playoff spot, but they are in danger of losing that position if they don’t turn things around in Week 12 and beyond. They have some tough matchups ahead of them, including meetings with the Cowboys and Vikings and two clashes with the Eagles.
The Los Angeles Rams arguably had a more disappointing performance on Sunday, losing 27-20 to the New Orleans Saints. LA also lost starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to injury during the game.
Stafford completed 11 of 18 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns before folding. His backup, Bryce Perkins, completed five of his 10 passes for just 64 yards in relief.
sports illustrated @now
Rams QB Bryce Perkins is in the game while Matthew Stafford is checked for a concussion
Losing LA dropped it to 3-7 on the season and there is now little hope for the defending champions to make the playoffs.
As for the AFC, the Patriots and Jets put together one of the most lackluster games of the season, but New England won 10-3 thanks to a Marcus Jones punt return touchdown five seconds from time in the fourth quarter.
NFL @NFL
PUNT RETURN TD WITH 5 SECONDS LEFT! @Patriots
📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/0M1xbb6fcp pic.twitter.com/zF3bFuvvpI
It was a significant game for both sides as the Patriots now own the tiebreaker over the Jets thanks to a season win in both matchups between the teams. New England’s win helped them improve to 6-4 and enter the AFC playoffs No. 6.
The Patriots still have a tough schedule with games against the Vikings, Miami Dolphins and two encounters with the Buffalo Bills. How New England performs in those remaining games will go a long way toward determining whether or not it can stay in the playoffs.
