by 
Ralph Vacchiono
NFL reporter
We’re not yet halfway through the season, but the NFL playoff picture is starting to take shape.
That’s at least true at the top of the standings where the Chiefs, Texans, Lions, Steelers, Bills and even the surprising Commanders appear well on their way to a playoff spot. Everyone is fighting for position right now ahead of what could be a wild playoff run in the second half.
Here’s a look at the NFL playoffs, including the teams with the best playoff odds (via NFL Next Gen Stats), after Week 8:
2024 NFL Playoffs Photo
NFC
1. Detroit Lions (6-1)
There is simply no better or more complete team in the NFL right now than the Lions. And they’re clicking on all cylinders after routing the Tennessee Titans. No team has a better 1-2 punch at running back than David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Jared Goff has been almost perfect at quarterback. They have averaged 43 points in their last four games. They will be difficult to beat, and they know it.
Playoff Probability: 94%
2. Washington Commanders (6-2)
If someone doesn’t believe in Jayden Daniels today, nothing will convince them. He took a victory from certain defeat Sunday with a 52-yard Hail Mary final play to Noah Brown. He also heavily dominated Caleb Williams, who was picked one spot ahead of him in the draft, completing 21 of 38 passes for 326 yards and a touchdown and rushing eight times for 52 yards. He’s real, and so are the commanders, apparently. They have all the ingredients to stay in the race.
Playoff Probability: 71%
3. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
They turned the division around by beating the Bucs twice in the last four weeks – but just barely each time. Kirk Cousins certainly has Tampa’s number as he has totaled 785 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception in those two games. Now if he and the offense can do that in some of their other games, they’ll really have something to do.
Playoff Probability: 77%
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
It was a good sign that their offense finally got going in their 28-27 win at Miami, with quarterback Kyler Murray having his best game (307 yards, 2 TDs) and the offense scoring its most points since the week 2. I’m lucky they’re in a division where no one is on track yet. They won 3 of 4, but didn’t look impressive doing it. And their defense remains a big problem.
Playoff Probability: 32%
5. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Yes, Malik Willis led the Packers to a win over the Jaguars in relief, but they know their long-term fortunes depend on the status of QB Jordan Love. He injured his groin early Sunday and played as long as he could, completing 14 of 22 passes for 196 yards and an interception. But he was pulled in the third quarter and Green Bay will now wait to see how long he’ll be out.
Playoff Probability: 68%
6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
They’ve lost twice in a row since starting 5-0, which is alarming since the last time they started 5-0 (in 2016), they finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. To be fair to them, the last two weeks have been difficult. They narrowly lost to the Lions (31-29) then lost in Los Angeles when the Rams recovered receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The schedule is about to get a lot easier.
Playoff Probability: 83%
7. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
After an uneven start to the season, they have finally started to turn around over the last couple of weeks. Their defense has started to play better under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. And new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has leaned on their strong ground game. Even quarterback Jalen Hurts looks like his old self. He and Saquon Barkley are proving to be the dynamic duo everyone has been waiting for. They are right on the heels of the new commanders after two consecutive victories after the bye.
Playoff Probability: 77%
From the outside looking in: THE Chicago Bears (4-3) had a bad beat, falling to Washington on a Jayden Daniels Hail Mary. They have a good enough defense to compete, provided rookie quarterback Caleb Williams plays better than Sunday (10 of 24, 131 yards). … THE Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) are on fire offensively, even in their loss to Atlanta on Sunday. But they lost Chris Godwin for the season and Mike Evans for a month, and without their two best WRs, it could be tough. … It’s a testament to Kyle Shanahan and their defense that despite all of their injuries, the San Francisco 49ers (4-4) are still tied for first in the NFC West. But they’ll need RB Christian McCaffrey back soon, especially with Brandon Aiyuk out for the year. … THE Seattle Seahawks (4-4) looked terrible against the Bills and are now going in the wrong direction, having lost 4 of their last 5. … THE Los Angeles Rams (3-4) could lurk as a dangerous team now that they have injured receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in their lineup. … THE Dallas Cowboys (3-4)in the meantime, don’t look dangerous at all. The only good thing about their team is the Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb connection, and that might not be enough.
Josh Jacobs recovers after Jordan Love’s loss to the Jaguars
AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
They don’t look like the heavyweight they once were, they could use a No. 1 receiver and something is still wrong with Travis Kelce. But they are undefeated and have a top 10 defense and offense, so doubt them at your peril. They still have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, and that’s definitely more than enough to make them Super Bowl favorites until someone knocks them out.
Playoff Probability: 99%
2. Houston Texans (6-2)
The Texans got some much-needed separation in the AFC South by edging out the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. However, they don’t make it easy for themselves. They are such a well-rounded offense, backed by a solid defense, but their struggles in the red zone almost cost them. Still, CJ Stroud is as good as he was as a rookie and the Texans have won four of five.
Playoff Probability: 97%
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Give credit to Mike Tomlin. His controversial decision to start quarterback Russell Wilson and bench Justin Fields certainly gave their offense a boost. They have really knocked down two good New York defenses in the last two weeks and have now won three straight games. Wilson averaged 271 passing yards in his two starts with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Steelers are good no matter who their quarterback is, but if Wilson continues to play like this, they could be real title contenders.
Playoff Probability: 90%
4. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
They are what they have been for several years now: a formidable team capable of crushing anyone thanks in large part to an MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen. They seem to have left behind a bad three-game road trip (busted in Baltimore, close loss in Houston, close victory in New York against the Jets). They also opened up space in the AFC East. But all eyes are on their huge home test against the Chiefs in three weeks.
Playoff Probability: 96%
5. Denver Broncos (5-3)
No one has done a better coaching job in the NFL this season than Sean Payton, who has taken the Broncos to five wins out of six after an 0-2 start. They do it with one of the best defenses in the NFL. But don’t look now: rookie quarterback Bo Nix has just had the best game of his career (28 of 37, 284 yards, 3 touchdowns). He’s also thrown just one interception in his last six starts. However, the competition goes very far in the next two matches.
Playoff probability: 63%
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
The disappointing loss at Cleveland on Sunday slowed what had been the NFL’s most impressive run: five straight wins after an 0-2 start. However, this may only be a temporary setback. For some reason, the Ravens only handed the ball to Derrick Henry 11 times in this game (73 yards). The last five games should have proven to them that when he starts, so do they.
Playoff Probability: 87%
7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
The Chargers put themselves in temporary playoff position with a win over the decimated New Orleans Saints. But they won’t be there long if they fail to launch their attack. Despite having Justin Herbert at quarterback, they have averaged just 16.8 points over the last five games and have only gone over 23 twice. This won’t work in an offensive league.
Playoff Probability: 68%
Outside teams looking in: THE Indianapolis Colts (4-4) slipped out of the top 7 when they narrowly missed out on victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday. They won’t catch the Texans in the AFC South and stay in the playoff race without some offensive improvements. Quarterback Anthony Richardson is struggling and his offense has averaged just 285.3 yards over the last three games. … THE Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) I also have offensive issues. After getting blown out by the Eagles on Sunday, they’ve averaged just 269 yards and 18 points over the past three weeks — embarrassing for a team featuring quarterback Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase. But it’s clear that they are capable of much more, which makes them dangerous.
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Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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