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NFL playoff picture as Week 12 kicks off

Nate Davis
USA TODAY
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

Here's how the NFL playoff picture looks through Thursday's action.

NFC
1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1): NFC East leader. They've essentially wrapped up the division after embarrassing the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Philly now has a four-game bulge with six left to play and is 4-0 against NFC East competition.

2. Minnesota Vikings (9-2): NFC North leader. Their Thanksgiving win over Detroit gives them a commanding three-game lead in the division.

3. New Orleans Saints (8-2): NFC North leader. They extended their winning streak to eight by the slimmest of margins. Next week's game against the Rams in Los Angeles could have weighty seeding ramifications for both teams.

4. Los Angeles Rams (7-3): NFC West leader. One of the league's promising young teams just got a huge wake-up call against quality opposition.

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5. Carolina Panthers (7-3): Wild card No. 1. Can't overlook the Jets this week if they want Week 13's game at New Orleans to potentially be for NFC South lead.

6. Atlanta Falcons (6-4): Wild card No. 2. Monday night's win over the Seahawks coupled with a defeat of the Lions in Week 3 puts the defending NFC champs back into the field.

In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (6-4), Detroit Lions (6-5), Green Bay Packers (5-5)

AFC
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2): AFC North leader. Their 6-1 conference record currently confers the tie-breaking edge, but everyone expects the Steelers and Patriots to settle the AFC's battle for home-field advantage on the field in Week 15.

2. New England Patriots (8-2): AFC East leader. They're cruising, as usual at this point of the season. They come home next week to host the Dolphins, then have to navigate three more consecutive road games, culminating with that Dec. 17 date at Pittsburgh.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3): AFC South leader. Winners of three straight, the Jags finally seem to be overcoming their inconsistency.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4): AFC West leader. Ugly loss Sunday to a brutal Giants team. But the Chiefs are fortunate to be in a shockingly terrible division, maintaining a two-game edge despite dropping four of five.

5. Tennessee Titans (6-4): Wild card No. 1. Their next four are against sub-.500 teams, so they're not out of the AFC South race by any stretch.

6. Baltimore Ravens (5-5): Wild card No. 2. And you thought this team was nevermore. A half-game edge in AFC games gives them this spot over Buffalo for now. But given the way the spiraling Bills are playing and Baltimore's generally soft schedule, advantage Ravens. However several 4-6 teams are just a mini hot streak away from entering the fray.

In the hunt: Buffalo Bills (5-5), Los Angeles Chargers (5-6), Miami Dolphins (4-6), New York Jets (4-6), Cincinnati Bengals (4-6), Houston Texans (4-6), Oakland Raiders (4-6)

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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

PHOTOS: Best of NFL in Week 12

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