2021 NFL playoff picture, standings after Week 12: Ravens new No. 1 seed in wild AFC race; 49ers emerge in NFC

The NFL continues to be as unpredictable as ever through 12 weeks of the season.

Twelve teams have a .500 or better record in the AFC, setting up a wild final six weeks.

The Pats lead the AFC East by half a game, but face the Bills in the first of two meetings next week.

What to know: A convincing win over the Saints on Thursday keeps the Bills in playoff position in the AFC.

The Dolphins basically have to win out in order to make the playoffs, but can make things interesting with their schedule coming up.

What to know: A dominant win over the Steelers has Cincinnati in prime position for a playoff spot in the loaded AFC.

What to know: The Steelers’ playoff chances took a massive hit with the blowout loss to the Bengals.

What to know: The Browns falling to the Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” kept them out of the playoff picture in the AFC.

What to know:  The Titans retain their commanding first place lead in the AFC South, even with a loss to the Patriots.

What to know: The Colts’ loss to the Buccaneers put them back at .500 — out of the AFC playoff race for now.

What to know: An opportunity blown for the Chargers in a blowout loss to the Broncos, yet Los Angeles remains in one of the wild card spots in part of a complicated tiebreaker procedure.

8 in the AFC playoff standings, losing a tiebreaker to the Chargers due to falling to them earlier this year.

The Eagles fell to 10th in the NFC playoff standings, but are still a half game behind the Vikings for the final playoff spot.

What to know: The Giants’ season is not dead yet following an upset win over the Eagles.

What to know:  The Packers extended their NFC North lead with a big win over the Rams in Week 12, compiled with a Vikings loss to the 49ers.

What to know: The Bears are one game out of the final playoff spot in the NFC, yet are 14th in the conference.

8 in the NFC playoffs after beating the Jaguars, taking advantage of many NFC teams falling in Week 12.

What to know:  The Rams losing to the Packers put them two games behind the Cardinals for the NFC West lead — and Arizona has a win over them.

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