Week 13 of the NFL confirmed the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills as the first teams to clinch playoff spots, while the Raiders, Patriots, and Giants were officially eliminated. Kansas City leads the AFC West, and Buffalo has secured the AFC East title.
As the NFL playoffs take shape, Week 13 brought clarity. Two teams have locked in their postseason berths, while three others will now shift their focus to rebuilding for next year, as their playoff hopes are officially over.
Chiefs and Bills: The AFC’s Best
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are the first two franchises to secure spots in the battle for the AFC Championship.
The Chiefs, with a decisive victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, improved their record to 11-1, firmly leading the AFC West. However, they will still need to watch for moves from the Chargers and Broncos to determine whether they clinch the division title. For now, the reigning back-to-back champions have cleared the first hurdle in their quest to defend their title.
Meanwhile, the Bills dominated the 49ers to reach a 10-2 record and have already clinched the AFC East title. With the Dolphins trailing at 5-7, Buffalo is now uncatchable in the division, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the AFC crown.
The Eliminated Trio
On the other side of the spectrum, the Raiders and Patriots in the AFC, along with the New York Giants in the NFC, are officially out of playoff contention.
With a dismal 2-10 record, the Raiders must start planning for 2025, from scouting talent for the upcoming draft to building a solid project that can compete in the Chiefs-dominated division.
The New England Patriots are also enduring a dreadful season. Once perennial contenders in the AFC, their 3-10 record highlights their struggles. The team must focus on identifying cornerstone players to lead them back to prominence, starting with finding stability at quarterback, a position that has yet to solidify in this new Patriots era.
Lastly, the New York Giants hold the unenviable title of the worst team in both the NFC East and the conference overall. Their 2-10 record leaves them as the only NFC team with no playoff chances. This season’s struggles were evident in a game where the Dallas Cowboys, having one of their weaker years, managed to reclaim victory against them. For the Giants, the focus must now shift to rebuilding and preparing for the 2025 draft.
Cover photo: X (@Chiefs)
