2021 NFL playoff image: Full postseason standings, wild card race, projected opening matchups

The house stretch of the 2021 NFL season is right here. what meaning: the playoff image is definitely starting to take form. And each conferences are chock-full of some feisty battles for the 14 mixed postseason spots. From the crowded competitors within the AFC North to the ever-shifting panorama of the AFC East to the mercurial assortment of NFC wild card foes, there are many eventualities on the desk as we enterprise into December.

Beneath, discover an up to date 2021 NFL playoff image, that includes full postseason standings (with tiebreakers already accounted for), a rundown of untamed card contenders and projected opening-weekend playoff matchups for each the AFC and NFC:

AFC

1. Patriots (8-4)
2. Titans (8-4)
3. Ravens (8-4)
4. Chiefs (8-4)
5. Payments (7-4)
6. Chargers (7-5)
7. Bengals (7-5)

On the brink

8. Steelers (6-5-1)
9. Colts (7-6)
10. Raiders (6-6)
11. Browns (6-6)
12. Broncos (6-6) 
13. Dolphins (6-7)

Out of the race

14. Jets (3-9)
15. Texans (2-10)*
16. Jaguars (2-10)

Word: * = formally eradicated.

Projected wild card matchups

• (No. 1 Patriots on bye)
• No. 7 Bengals at No. 2 Titans
• No. 6 Chargers at No. 3 Ravens
• No. 5 Payments at No. 4 Chiefs

NFC

1. Cardinals (10-2)
2. Packers (9-3)
3. Buccaneers (9-3)
4. Cowboys (8-4)
5. Rams (8-4)
6. Washington (6-6)
7. 49ers (6-6)

On the brink

8. Eagles (6-7)
9. Vikings (5-7)
10. Panthers (5-7)
11. Falcons (5-7)
12. Saints (5-7)
13. Giants (4-8)
14. Bears (4-8)
15. Seahawks (4-8)

Out of the race

16. Lions (1-10-1)

Word: * = formally eradicated.

Projected wild card matchups

• (No. 1 Cardinals on bye)
• No. 7 49ers at No. 2 Packers
• No. 6 Washington at No. 3 Buccaneers
• No. 5 Rams at No. 4 Cowboys