The times they are a-changin’ in the NFL playoff picture.
There’s a new No. 1 seed in the AFC and NFC. The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in first place in the in the AFC North and the Green Bay Packers took over the lead in the NFC North. The Chicago Bears fell from No. 1 to No. 7.
The Buffalo Bills ascended from the No. 7 seed to No. 5 seed in the AFC with a 39-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Indianapolis Colts have slipped from potential No. 1 seed to clinging to the final playoff spot in the AFC after losing four of their last five games.
Week 14 scores
Thursday
Sunday
Monday
Current NFL playoff picture
AFC
Eliminated
NFC
Eliminated
How NFL playoff seeding works
Seven teams in each conference make the postseason.
The four division champions from each conference make the playoffs and are seeded No. 1 through No. 4 based on record. The three remaining teams in each conference with the best record qualify for the postseason as wild-card teams and are seeded No. 5 through No. 7.
If a wild-card team has a better record than a division winner, it still receives a lower 5, 6 or 7 seed.
The No. 1 seed in each conference receives a first-round bye and plays all of their conference playoff games at home.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL playoff picture, standings, scores, updates: Bills take leap, Broncos new No. 1 seed
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
