The 2026 NFL playoff race has already been jolted by a pair of results that changed the look of both conferences heading into Week 9. Minnesota’s unbeaten run is over, and Kansas City has now stumbled twice in a row, leaving the AFC and NFC standings with a much different feel than they had just a week ago.
The Vikings took their first loss on Sunday, Nov. 1, falling to the Detroit Lions, 19-15. That result means every NFL team has now been beaten at least once through eight weeks, and it also keeps the NFC North in the spotlight. Every team in that division is sitting above .500, a rare sign of strength across the board.
In the AFC, the pressure is building around the Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes and company dropped back-to-back games. Kansas City lost to the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks in consecutive weeks, a skid that has tightened the race near the top.
Here’s where the playoff field stands after Week 8 in the AFC:
Buffalo Bills, 6-1
Denver Broncos, 6-2
Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-2
Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-2
Kansas City Chiefs, 5-2
Cincinnati Bengals, 5-2
New England Patriots, 5-3
In the hunt: Cleveland Browns (5-3), Las Vegas Raiders (4-4), Baltimore Ravens (4-4), Houston Texans (2-5), New York Jets (2-6), Indianapolis Colts (2-6), Miami Dolphins (1-6), Tennessee Titans (1-7), Los Angeles Chargers (0-7)
The NFC picture is just as crowded, with San Francisco and Minnesota still at the top despite the Vikings’ first setback. The Giants have stayed in the mix with a 4-2-1 mark, while Detroit, Chicago, and Green Bay are all positioned well in a division that has turned into one of the league’s strongest.
NFC playoff picture during Week 8:
San Francisco 49ers, 6-1
Minnesota Vikings, 6-1
New York Giants, 4-2-1
Carolina Panthers, 3-4
Detroit Lions, 5-2
*Chicago Bears, 5-2
Green Bay Packers, 5-3
In the hunt: *Seattle Seahawks (4-3), Los Angeles Rams (4-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5), Atlanta Falcons (3-5), Arizona Cardinals (3-5), Dallas Cowboys (3-5), Washington Commanders (2-4-1), New Orleans Saints (2-5), Philadelphia Eagles (2-6)
*Denotes the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks cap off Week 8 with their Monday Night Football contest. The two NFC teams meet at Lumen Field (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN).
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Seahawks Face A Jadarian Price Decision Bigger Than Just Monday Night
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Prices situation is about more than one game, because the Seahawks are also sorting through what his place on the roster might look like once everyone is available. There has been speculation around whether he could factor into a larger backfield move, especially with Seattle linked to the idea of adding Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, which makes this week feel like a decision point rather than just a return from IR. [Read more 🡒]