AccuScore provides industry leading sports simulations, game forecasts, betting predictions, and fantasy tools for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAAF and NCAAB.

AFC

The Bengals impressive beat down of Baltimore helped them increase their chances by more than 30 percentage points while costing the Ravens over 30 percentage points. Just as important as the out-come of the game was the way the game played out. Cincinnati showed they are balanced team with no obvious flaws when they are playing well. The Ravens were hurt not just by the loss, but by the San Diego upset win. The Steelers lost to the Bengals earlier this season, but AccuScore favors them to ultimately win the division (79 percent).

Heading into their huge match-up with the Patriots the Colts have a 99.8 percent chance of making the playoffs. The Texans played well and even though they lost to a division rival their playoff chances only dipped 4 points because the Ravens lost and they are one of their main Wild Card competitors. The Texans are still significantly behind the Chargers and Bengals for the Wild Card spots with just a 19 percent chance of making the playoffs. It hurts the Texans that the Titans are showing signs of life and even though Tennessee will not make a run for the playoffs they definitely could beat plenty of teams, including a re-match with Houston.

The Patriots may have lost early to the Jets, but it looks like they will have at least a 3 game lead in the division by the end of the season and that loss will not impact their chances of winning the division which are currently over 90 percent. Currently, the Patriots are projected for 11 wins which is 3 fewer than the Colts at 14 wins. Obviously, if New England upsets the Colts their chances of catching the Colts improve significantly. The Dolphins and Jets are both averaging just under 8 wins for the season and both have just a 12-14 percent chance of making the playoffs.

The Broncos are clinging to a slight lead in the division winning the AFC West 56.9 percent of the time to San Diego’s 43.1 percent. If San Diego beats Denver in Denver then they will take command. The Chargers saw their chances jump nearly 11 points thanks to an upset win over the Giants. It also helped that Baltimore lost. San Diego has a game lead on them in the Wild Card standings which is important given their head-to-head loss to the Ravens.

NFC

The Cowboys are playing to their full potential and are now in control of the NFC East with a 56 percent chance of winning the division. The Eagles lost at home and their playoff chances dropped 11 percentage points, but it is still strong at 59 percent thanks to the Giants continued slide. The Giants now just have a 36 percent chance of making the playoffs which is not only 3rd in their division, but is behind the Falcons and Packers.

Somehow the Packers still have a 39 percent chance of making the playoffs despite blowing a double digit second half lead to Tampa Bay. With the 49ers, Giants, and Bears all playing poorly Green Bay can still win 9 games and make the playoffs. Packers fans should hope the Cardinals continue to roll because they play at Arizona in Week 17. If Arizona’s playoff position is determined by then the Packers could get to play a huge game against a team resting its starters. The Bears defense is getting picked apart by good QBs which is why the Packers are currently favored in their Week 14 re-match. This current edge is why Green Bay has such a substantial lead over Chicago in the playoff race. Minnesota has a 98 percent chance of winning the NFC North. They improved by +4 points despite being on a Bye because of the poor performances by the rest of the division.

The Cardinals quickly recovered from a bad home loss to Carolina with an impressive road win in Chicago. This win combined with the 49ers upset loss to Tennessee helped the Cardinals solidify their chances of repeating as NFC West champs to nearly 94 percent. The Seahawks and 49ers are both just 3-5 and both teams have under a 5 percent chance of catching Arizona. With just a one tenth of one percent chance of winning the division the Rams are close to mathematical elimination.

The undefeated Saints have a 97 percent chance of winning the NFC South. Atlanta only has a 3 percent chance of catching New Orleans, but they do have a very solid 67 percent chance of being a Wild Card team. Atlanta has the 5th best chance of making the playoffs in the NFC despite having just a 3 percent chance of winning the division. The final playoff spot could come down to the Week 11 Atlanta @ New York game. If the Falcons can upset the Giants they would get the big edge over a primary competitor for the final playoff spot.