One week remains in the 2023 NFL season. Some former Mountaineers will get an opportunity to play in the NFL playoffs, while others will not.
Let’s take a look at each conference and see where former Mountaineers on active rosters and practice squads stand in terms of the current playoff picture.
AFC
Clinched a playoff spot:
1. Baltimore Ravens (13-3) – DB Daryl Worley
The Ravens have locked up the number one seed in the playoffs and are resting some guys for their regular season finale against the Steelers. Daryl Worley has already been ruled out for this game due to an injury.
2. Miami Dolphins (11-5) – LB David Long Jr.
The Dolphins have already clinched a playoff spot and are still in play to win the AFC East. The Dolphins need to win on Sunday Night Football against the Bills to clinch the AFC East, otherwise they will be taking the wild card route to potentially reaching the Super Bowl.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) – No former Mountaineers
5. Cleveland Browns (11-5) – LB Tony Fields II
The Browns have clinched their second playoff berth since the 2002 season. The Ravens have already clinched the AFC North and the Browns are locked into the 5 seed.
In the playoff hunt:
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) – No former Mountaineers
6. Buffalo Bills (10-6) – CB Rasul Douglas
It is possible for the Bills to be AFC East champions, a wild card team, or out of the playoff picture altogether. The Bills can clinch the AFC East and the 2 seed with a win over the Dolphins and can also be eliminated with a loss and wins by the Steelers and Jaguars.
7. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) – No former Mountaineers
8. Houston Texans (9-7) – No former Mountaineers
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) – No former Mountaineers
Eliminated:
10. Denver Broncos (8-8) – WR David Sills V
The Broncos rallied and played better in the second half of the season after starting out 1-5 but will now miss the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) – No former Mountaineers
12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) – No former Mountaineers
13. New York Jets (6-10) – No former Mountaineers
14. Tennessee Titans (5-11) – TE Trevon Wesco
The Titans will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year after making it the previous three seasons before that.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) – QB Will Grier
The Chargers will miss the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
16. New England Patriots (4-12) – No former Mountaineers
NFC
Clinched a playoff spot:
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – OT Colton McKivitz
The 49ers have already locked up the top seed in the NFC playoffs and will rest a few key guys for their regular season finale against the Rams.
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – No former Mountaineers
3. Detroit Lions (11-5) – No former Mountaineers
In case you missed it, the Lions recently released DL Bruce Irvin off of their practice squad.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – No former Mountaineers
6. Los Angeles Rams (9-7) – No former Mountaineers
In the playoff hunt:
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) – No former Mountaineers
7. Green Bay Packers (8-8) – No former Mountaineers
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-8) – QB Geno Smith
The Seahawks do not control their playoff destiny after losing to the Steelers last week. The Seahawks need to get a win over the Cardinals and hope for the Packers to lose to the Bears, or they can tie and hope for both the Packers and the Buccaneers and/or the Saints to lose their games.
9. New Orleans Saints (8-8) – No former Mountaineers
10. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) – No former Mountaineers
12. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) – No former Mountaineers
Eliminated:
11. Chicago Bears (7-9) – No former Mountaineers
13. New York Giants (5-11) – OG Mark Glowinski and OT Yodny Cajuste
The Giants will miss the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
14. Washington Commanders (4-12) – No former Mountaineers
15. Arizona Cardinals (4-12) – DL Dante Stills
The Cardinals will miss the playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
16. Carolina Panthers (2-14) – No former Mountaineers
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
