The New England Patriots didn’t just win on Sunday Night Football — they announced themselves as the team to beat in the AFC. A 28-23 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 9, 2025, extended their winning streak to seven games and sent shockwaves through the playoff landscape. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts, despite holding the best record in the conference at 7-2, looked increasingly brittle after a sloppy overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons and a shocking loss to the Steelers the week before. The message was clear: momentum matters more than win totals.
The AFC: Patriots’ Rise, Colts’ Cracks
The New England Patriots aren’t just winning — they’re doing it with poise. Quarterback Mac Jones, once written off as a draft bust, is now playing like an MVP candidate, orchestrating clutch drives with cold-blooded efficiency. Their offense, once sluggish, now ranks fifth in the league in fourth-quarter points. But what’s more telling is their schedule. According to Tankathon metrics, the Patriots have the easiest remaining slate in the AFC — facing only two teams currently above .500, and none of them with a winning record at home. Meanwhile, the Colts have road games against the Ravens, Bills, and Chiefs left. That’s not a path to home-field advantage — that’s a gauntlet.NFC Chaos: Rams vs. Seahawks, and the Panthers’ Impossible Road
In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams sit at 7-2, tied with the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West lead. But here’s the twist: Seattle holds the tiebreaker. Their 2-1 divisional record and 4-2 conference record give them the edge over LA’s 1-1 and 2-2. The implications? A Week 11 showdown in Seattle isn’t just a game — it’s a de facto division title decider. Lose, and the Rams’ path to the playoffs becomes a mountain. Win, and they take control. Then there’s the Carolina Panthers. At 5-5, they’re not dead — yet. But their remaining schedule? CBS Sports called it “the NFL’s most brutal gauntlet.” They’ll face the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers — all 6-4 or better — plus two more games against the Buccaneers. Their opponents’ combined win percentage? A staggering .569. Analysts project them to finish 7-10. “Unless Young magically levels up,” one writer noted, “the Panthers will be sitting on the couch once again after Week 18.” And that’s not hyperbole. It’s math.The Wildcard Wipeout: Who’s Still Alive?
The NFC wild-card race is a mess. The San Francisco 49ers (6-4) look like the safest bet, with a manageable slate and a top-five defense. The Chicago Bears (6-3) have shown flashes — a gritty win over the Raiders, a last-second thriller against the Giants — but their schedule ranks fourth-toughest. They lost to the Ravens, and their quarterback situation remains a question mark. Then there’s the Dallas Cowboys. At 3-5-1, they’re already six games behind the division leaders. Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and their next three games — against the Eagles, Commanders, and Vikings — might as well be elimination matches.What’s Next? The Games That Will Define the Season
The next two weeks will be seismic. Week 11’s Rams-Seahawks showdown in Seattle isn’t just a divisional game — it’s a playoff referendum. The winner likely controls their own destiny. The loser? They’ll need help from others just to stay in the conversation. Then there’s the Patriots’ next three games: home against the Jets, road at the Bengals, then back home to host the Dolphins. All winnable. All opportunities to build momentum. If they go 3-0, they’ll be 10-2 and sitting pretty for the AFC’s top seed. And the Panthers? They play the Buccaneers next. A loss there, and their season might as well be over. No team in NFL history has made the playoffs after starting 5-5 with a schedule as brutal as Carolina’s. It’s not just hard — it’s historic.Why This Matters
This isn’t just about who makes the playoffs. It’s about who’s built for the long haul. The Patriots aren’t just winning — they’re peaking at the right time. The Colts are winning, but they’re not dominating. The Rams are solid, but they’re not invincible. And the Panthers? They’re a cautionary tale: talent without schedule luck is a recipe for heartbreak. The NFL playoff picture isn’t just a chart anymore. It’s a living, breathing drama. And Week 11? That’s when the real season begins.Frequently Asked Questions
How did the New England Patriots become AFC favorites so quickly?
The Patriots’ seven-game winning streak, fueled by Mac Jones’ improved decision-making and a dominant offensive line, has turned them into the AFC’s most consistent team. Their remaining schedule is the easiest in the conference, per Tankathon, giving them a clear path to 11+ wins. Unlike the Colts, who’ve struggled against quality opponents, the Patriots have beaten three playoff-caliber teams in a row — including the NFC-leading Buccaneers.
Why are the Carolina Panthers projected to miss the playoffs despite being 5-5?
The Panthers face the NFL’s toughest remaining schedule (.569 opponents’ win percentage), including games against the 7-2 Rams, 7-2 Seahawks, 6-4 49ers, and two more against the 6-3 Buccaneers. Even with a perfect finish, they’d need help from other teams to clinch a wild card. Analysts believe their win total will max out at 7, which isn’t enough in a competitive NFC.
What’s the significance of the Rams-Seahawks Week 11 game?
The winner of the Rams-Seahawks matchup on November 16, 2025, will likely control the NFC West. Seattle holds the tiebreaker due to better divisional and conference records. A Rams loss would drop them into a two-team race for the final wild card, while a win would give them breathing room and put pressure on the 49ers and Bears. It’s the most critical NFC game of the season.
Can the Dallas Cowboys still make the playoffs?
Technically, yes — but realistically, no. At 3-5-1, they’re six games behind the NFC East leader and need to win at least seven of their final eight games while hoping multiple teams ahead of them collapse. Their remaining schedule includes the Eagles, Commanders, and Vikings — all playoff contenders. A 9-8 finish is unlikely without a dramatic turnaround in both performance and luck.
Who’s the real top team in the AFC right now?
The Colts have the best record, but the Patriots are playing like the AFC’s most complete team. They’ve beaten the Buccaneers, Ravens, and Bills in the past five weeks. Their defense is improving, their offense is clicking, and their schedule is easing up. In the playoffs, momentum and execution matter more than win totals — and right now, New England has both.
How does the NFL’s tiebreaker system affect the NFC West race?
The Seahawks lead the Rams in head-to-head divisional record (2-1 vs. 1-1) and conference record (4-2 vs. 2-2), giving them the edge despite identical 7-2 records. That means the Rams can’t win the division unless they beat Seattle in Week 11 and again in Week 16 — and even then, they’d need to outperform Seattle in tiebreakers. It’s a two-game series that could decide the entire division.
