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Week 12 NFL Recap

PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Let's take our weekly look back at the week that was in the NFL for week 12.

AFC NORTH RECAP
The Baltimore Ravens comeback overtime win against the San Diego Chargers put them 3 games up on the rest to the AFC North with just 5 games remaining.  The Steelers now find themselves tied with the Bengals for 2nd place after the Steelers lose in Cleveland and Cincinnati got a home win against Oakland.  The Cleveland Browns are still in last place, with a record of 3-8.

The Steelers have now lost 4 of their 6 road games this year including losses against Oakland (3-8), Cleveland (3-8) and Tennessee (4-7).  The Bengals have now won 3 straight games after losing 4 in a row earlier in the season.  Cleveland beat the Steelers for just the 2nd time in their last 18 games played between the two teams.  The Browns have still not won a road game this season but have won 3 of their last 4 at home.  The Ravens have now won 4 in a row for the second time this season.  At 9-2 the Ravens have the 2nd best record in the AFC, behind only Houston.

Here is a look at the week 13 schedule for the AFC North:
Cleveland @ Oakland
Cincinnati @ San Diego
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore

PLAYOFF PICTURE
As we enter December there is no better time to start figuring out playoff scenarios for your team than now.

The AFC playoff picture is already pretty clear.  All of the division leaders have at least a 3 game lead in their respective divisions, Denver has a 4 game lead and can clinch the AFC West this week with a win or a Chargers loss.  After the division leaders, only 3 other teams have a winning record in the AFC and 2 of those teams will most likely claim the wildcard spots.
AFC:
1. Houston (10-1) AFC South
2. Baltimore (9-2) AFC North
3. New England (8-3) AFC East
4. Denver (8-3) AFC West
WILDCARDS:
5. Indianapolis (7-4)
6. Pittsburgh (6-5)
Cincinnati (6-5)
Miami (5-6)

The NFC is much different from the AFC and still wide open.  Realistically 11 of the 16 teams still have a shot at the playoffs and 3 of the 4 divisions are still completely up for grabs.  Only Atlanta, in the NFC South seems to have that division wrapped up as they can clinch the division this week with a win against New Orleans or a Tampa Bay loss to Denver.
NFC:
1. Atlanta (10-1) NFC South
2. San Francisco (8-2-1) NFC West
3. Chicago (8-3) NFC North
4. New York Giants (7-4) NFC East
WILDCARDS:
5. Green Bay (7-4)
6. Seattle (6-5)
Tampa Bay (6-5)
Minnesota (6-5)
Washington (5-6)
Dallas (5-6)
New Orleans (5-6)

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