As the NFL regular season approaches the Thanksgiving holiday, the playoff picture is beginning to clarify. With seven weeks remaining, several teams currently outside the playoff field have the potential to turn their fortunes around. Here are five teams that pose significant threats to those vying for postseason spots.
Houston Texans: A Tough Road Ahead
The Houston Texans sit at 5-5, ranking eighth in the AFC. They face a challenging schedule, with upcoming opponents holding a combined record of 40-31 (.563). Among those are the Buffalo Bills (7-3) and the Indianapolis Colts (8-2), along with two teams currently below .500: the Arizona Cardinals (3-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (2-8).
Losing quarterback C.J. Stroud due to a concussion for their next game complicates matters. Yet, the Texans have managed to win their last two matches with Davis Mills at the helm, supported by a defense allowing just 221 yards per game. Notably, Houston has the league’s longest active streak of holding opponents under 200 passing yards, with seven consecutive games of such performance. Despite their scoring offense ranking 21st at 22 points per game, the Texans must rely on their defense to contend for a playoff berth.
Dallas Cowboys: A Revived Spirit
Currently positioned tenth in the NFC with a record of 4-5-1, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to capitalize on a more favorable schedule. Their remaining opponents have a combined record of 35-38 (.479), including three teams with losing records.
Following a decisive win against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Cowboys’ defense showed signs of improvement, stifling a struggling offense. They face pivotal matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), Kansas City Chiefs (5-5), and Detroit Lions (6-4) in their next three games. These contests will significantly shape their playoff hopes as they aim to rebound from a disappointing start.
Detroit Lions: Facing Tough Competition
The Detroit Lions stand at 6-4, ranking eighth in the NFC, but their path to the playoffs is fraught with challenges. With a record of 37-32-2 (.521) among their remaining opponents, they must secure a victory against the New York Giants (2-9) to maintain momentum.
Detroit will encounter formidable foes, including the Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4). Despite the team’s strong offensive and defensive rankings, injuries—particularly on the offensive line—have hindered their performance compared to previous seasons when they reached the NFC Championship Game and secured the conference’s top seed.
Kansas City Chiefs: A Potential Turnaround
The Kansas City Chiefs, at 5-5 and ninth in the AFC, are still in contention for playoff qualification. With a remaining opponent record of 36-35-1 (.500), the Chiefs have the opportunity to turn their season around.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has pointed out that Kansas City shares similarities with last year’s 15-2 team, aside from a notable decline in one-score games. Upcoming home games against the Colts, Chargers, and Broncos, along with an important match against the Texans, could provide the spark they need. Currently, their playoff chances stand at 52 percent, but a loss to the Colts could reduce those odds to less than 33 percent, according to NFL.com’s Ali Bhanpuri.
Baltimore Ravens: Close to the Top
Rounding out the list are the Baltimore Ravens, also at 5-5 and sitting tenth in the AFC. They are just one game behind in the competitive AFC North. Their schedule features games against the New York Jets (2-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) before facing the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) twice.
Having won four consecutive games since their bye week, the Ravens are positioned to make a strong playoff push. Their upcoming matchups will be crucial as they seek their third straight AFC North title.
As the regular season progresses, these teams will need to leverage their strengths and navigate their challenges carefully to secure a playoff spot in the competitive NFL landscape.
