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Updated NFL standings, playoff picture: Week 6

By John Buhler

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) shake hands after thier game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) shake hands after thier game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Monday Night Football having no immediate impact on the top-six seeds in either NFL conference, here is the updated NFL playoff picture through Week 6.

14 of the 15 games on the Week 6 slate of the 2016 NFL season are in the books. The Minnesota Vikings and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on their bye weeks.

With Monday Night Football between the New York Jets (1-4) and the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) having no immediate impact to the NFL’s hierarchy, here is what the NFL Playoffs seedings would look like if the season ended after Week 6.

Here is the AFC Playoff picture:

  1. New England Patriots (5-1)
  2. Houston Texans (4-2)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
  4. Oakland Raiders (4-2)
  5. Denver Broncos (4-2)
  6. Buffalo Bills (4-2)

The Patriots have the best record in the AFC East at 5-1. They hold a one-game lead over the Bills (4-2) in the division. Keep in mind that the Bills hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Patriots going forward.

Houston is 4-2 and in first place in the AFC South. The Texans impressively hold the tiebreaker for the No. 2 seed over both the Steelers and the Raiders.

Houston beats out Pittsburgh due to strength of schedule. The Texans’ opponents have gone a combined 19-15, whereas the Steelers’ opponents have gone a combined 15-18 before the Jets even take the field.

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The Texans edge out the Raiders due to record over common opponents. Houston and Oakland’s only common game was against the Chiefs. The Texans won 19-12 in Week 2 over Kansas. The Raiders lost to the rival Chiefs, 26-10 in Week 6.

The Texans hold a one-game lead over the Tennessee Titans (3-3), a 1.5-game lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3), and a two-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts (2-4) through Week 6.

The No. 3 seed goes the first-place Steelers in the AFC North. They hold the tiebreaker over the Raiders (4-2) due to record over common opponents. Again, it is the Chiefs that factor into this. Pittsburgh slaughtered Kansas City on Sunday Night Football in Week 4, 43-14. Oakland lost to Kansas City on Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh holds a one-game lead over the sliding Baltimore Ravens (3-3) and only a two-game lead over the disappointing Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) in the AFC North.

Leading the AFC West is Oakland at 4-2. The Raiders beat out the Broncos for first place in the division due to their AFC West records. Oakland is 1-1, while Denver is 0-1 so far. Kansas City (3-2) is only half a game back of the Raiders. The San Diego Chargers (2-4) are only two games back of first place in the AFC West.

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Through Week 6 of the 2016 NFL season, the two AFC Wild Card teams would be the Broncos and the Bills. Denver gets the No. 5 seed and the Bills hold on to the No. 6. The Broncos have a better conference record over the Bills. Denver is 2-1 in the AFC, while the Bills are only 1-2.

Here is the NFC Playoff picture:

  1. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
  2. Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
  3. Seattle Seahawks (4-1)
  4. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
  5. Washington Redskins (4-2)
  6. Green Bay Packers (3-2)

Minnesota is the lone undefeated team left in the NFL at 5-0. The Vikings were on their bye in Week 6. They currently hold a two-game lead over the Packers (3-2) in the NFC North. The Detroit Lions (3-3) are only 2.5 games back.

Dallas is on a five-game winning streak with Dak Prescott as the Cowboys starting quarterback. The Cowboys are 5-1 on the year and hold a one-game lead in the NFC East over the Redskins (4-2), a 1.5-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) and a two-game lead over the New York Giants (3-3).

The Seahawks lead the NFC West with a 4-1 record through Week 6. They hold a 1.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Rams (3-3), who interestingly hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Seattle. The Cardinals could be 1.5 games back if they beat the Jets on Monday Night Football.

Atlanta is 4-2 on the year, but in a really good spot atop the NFC South. The Falcons have 1.5-game leads over both the New Orleans Saints (2-3) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3). Atlanta holds the head-to-head tie breaker over the Saints, but not the Buccaneers.

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The two NFC Wild Card teams through Week 6 would be the Redskins at No. 5 and the Packers at No. 6. Washington has the best record of a non-division leader at 4-2. Green Bay edges out the Eagles for the final NFC Wild Card spot thanks to a better NFC record. The Packers are 2-2 in the NFC, while Eagles are only 1-2.

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