NFL Playoff Picture Week 10: Bills and 49ers Lead at 7-1 as Vikings Slide
After Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers sit on top of the AFC and NFC at 7-1 — while the Minnesota Vikings, who entered the week as the NFC's No. 2 seed, slid down the standings after a 23-6 loss on Monday Night Football. Here is the full playoff picture heading into Week 10, the key results that shaped it, and the games to watch next.
Week 9 Results That Shaped the Playoff Picture
- Buffalo Bills 23, Minnesota Vikings 6 — Monday Night Football, November 9
- Green Bay Packers 45, New England Patriots 27
- Houston Texans 44, Los Angeles Chargers 22 — Chargers fall to 0-8
- Cincinnati Bengals 34, Atlanta Falcons 17 — played in Madrid
- Kansas City Chiefs 35, New York Jets 12
- New Orleans Saints 23, Cleveland Browns 22
Bills and 49ers Lead at 7-1
The Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers are the two best teams in the NFL after Week 9, both sitting at 7-1 and on top of their conferences. Buffalo's 23-6 win over Minnesota on Monday Night Football on November 9 was a statement performance: the Bills' defense shut down a Vikings offense that had been one of the NFC's best, and the win kept Buffalo alone at the top of the AFC. The 49ers, also at 7-1, lead the NFC and remain the team to beat on that side of the bracket as the season heads into its second half.
Vikings Slide After Monday Night Loss
Minnesota entered Week 9 as the NFC's No. 2 seed, but the 23-6 defeat in Buffalo knocked the Vikings down the standings — they fell to third place in the NFC North. It was a humbling night for a team that had looked like a genuine contender, and the loss raises real questions about whether the Vikings can keep pace with the 49ers and the rest of the NFC's elite. The Bills, meanwhile, look every bit the Super Bowl favorite their 7-1 record suggests.
Packers Roll, Texans Rout the Winless Chargers
The Green Bay Packers kept their momentum going with a 45-27 win over the New England Patriots, a high-scoring victory that strengthens Green Bay's position in the NFC North — the same division where Minnesota just slipped to third. The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22, leaving the Chargers at 0-8 and still searching for their first win of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Jets 35-12, the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 in Madrid, and the New Orleans Saints edged the Cleveland Browns 23-22 in the closest game of the weekend.
Week 10 Games to Watch
Week 10 opens on Thursday, November 12, when the Washington Commanders (2-5-1) visit the New York Giants (5-2-1) at MetLife Stadium, kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The two teams tied in Week 5, so this rematch carries extra edge in the NFC East. The marquee game of the weekend is on Sunday, November 15, when the New England Patriots (5-3) face the Detroit Lions (6-2) in Munich, Germany, at Allianz Arena. Sunday night brings the Bengals at the Steelers in a big AFC North clash, and Monday, November 16, the Chargers visit the Ravens. Four teams are on bye in Week 10: the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What It Means
The playoff race is starting to take shape, and the Bills and 49ers at 7-1 look like the class of their conferences. Minnesota's slide to third in the NFC North is the biggest story of Week 9 — a team that entered the week as the No. 2 seed in the NFC is now chasing its own division rivals. Green Bay's win over New England only tightens that race further. In the AFC, the Chargers at 0-8 are effectively playing for pride already, while the Chiefs' win over the Jets keeps Kansas City firmly in the hunt. Week 10 will test the contenders again, with the Munich showdown between the Patriots and Lions and the Bengals-Steelers Sunday night game both carrying real playoff weight. For more on NFL scores and playoff news, follow our coverage, and read our full Week 10 preview of Commanders vs Giants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the NFL playoff picture after Week 9?
The Buffalo Bills (7-1) lead the AFC and the San Francisco 49ers (7-1) lead the NFC after Week 9 of the 2026 season.
What happened to the Vikings after Week 9?
The Vikings entered Week 9 as the NFC's No. 2 seed but lost 23-6 to the Bills on Monday Night Football on November 9, falling to third in the NFC North.
What was the score of Bills vs Vikings on Monday Night Football?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night Football, November 9, 2026.
What is the Chargers' record after Week 9?
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-8 after losing 44-22 to the Houston Texans in Week 9.
When is the Patriots vs Lions game in Munich?
The New England Patriots (5-3) face the Detroit Lions (6-2) in Munich, Germany, at Allianz Arena on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
Which teams are on bye in Week 10?
The Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on bye in Week 10.
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