While 2020 has been one of the weirdest years for all of us, the NFL has also been shaken up during the time period. Tom Brady, the oldest player in the league at age 43, moved on from his longtime Patriots team of 20 years to move down south for his inevitable retirement in Tampa. There was also the surprise of the Washington Football team’s temporary name following the change of its previous, controversial name. However, one aspect of football that still feels normal during this anything but normal time is the playoffs. As we approach week 17 and beyond, the foundation is starting to set on which teams will take themselves into the postseason.

The AFC has been running a tighter race than the NFC with 9 teams still deep inside of the race. Teams such as the Steelers and Chiefs, are amidst a tighter race for the coveted #1 seed that has an automatic first-round advancement (bye) attached to it. The other two divisions are seeing a more fierce competition that will likely be decided during week 17. The AFC East has been a spectacle to watch while the Dolphins and Bills look to take the division crown after the Patriots ended their reign of terror. It is going to be the first time since 2008 the Patriots did not win the division and, if the Buffalo Bills win, the first time since 1995 that they were the winners (In fact, the Indianapolis Colts, a team which joined the AFC South in 2002, have won the AFC East more recently than the Buffalo Bills). As for the AFC South, last year’s division winner, the Houston Texans, has been dethroned to make way for the Colts and last year’s playoff shock, the Titans.

Most of the NFC’s playoff picture has been penciled in by the results over many weeks. A three-way race exists in the competitive NFC West between the Seahawks, Cardinals, and Rams who all have a shot at becoming the division winner. Meanwhile, Tom Brady’s new team, the Buccaneers have made their bed for a likely wildcard berth after getting stomped on by the Saints on two separate occasions. Regardless of the outcome of each division winner, all five of these teams are almost certain to make an appearance in the postseason.

The division the world lays eyes on the most is the mind-boggling NFC East. The Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles are vying for a chance to make it to the playoffs with an abysmal record. In any other division, they would have been laughed at for wanting to make the playoffs, but all normals are broken inside this dumpster fire of a division. The Giants, Cowboys, and Washington are all crawling onto the ground to awkwardly stumble into the playoffs. While it is guaranteed for one of these teams to make the playoffs, it would take a miracle for them to beat any other team in the playoffs and advance past the Wild Card round. As of week 11, their record outside the division is 4-19-1 (0.225). They are on track to have one of the worst division records in NFL history.