The NFL playoff race took another major turn Sunday as the Week 8 slate reshaped both conferences.
The biggest headline came in Detroit, where the Lions handed the previously unbeaten Vikings their first loss of the season. It was an emotional win for Detroit, which lost linebacker Jack Campbell to a serious injury that halted the game for several minutes. Quarterback Jared Goff’s late touchdown to Jameson Williams provided the decisive moment in the division tilt.
Notably, if the NFL season ended today, the NFC North would send all four of its teams to the playoffs.
The Buffalo Bills entered the day tied with the Kansas City Chiefs near the top of the AFC. Josh Allen’s team strengthened its hold on the AFC’s top echelon by routing Baltimore.
Pittsburgh seized control of the AFC North with a convincing win over Cleveland, Jacksonville continued its surge in the AFC South and Tampa Bay climbed back into the NFC South race after shutting out Atlanta.
The late afternoon window had plenty of implications for the AFC playoff picture. The Denver Broncos pulled off a 28-24 victory over the Chiefs, while the New England Patriots defeated division rival Miami to move into No. 7 seed position and knock the Browns into the bubble.
While the uneven Los Angeles Rams beat the Chargers to improve to 4-4 on the season, they’re still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.
In Sunday Night Football, the Washington Commanders handed their division rival Philadelphia Eagles their sixth straight loss. Philadelphia slides to 2-6 and to last place in the NFC East.
With Monday Night Football still to come, here’s how the NFL playoff bracket would look if the season ended after Sunday of Week 8.