The NFL passed the halfway mark of its 2020 season on Sunday. Of the 256 games on its regular-season schedule, 132 are in the books. That milestone can mean only one thing. Yup, it's time to start planning for the playoffs.

Our weekly playoff picture analysis will look a bit different this year. As you're probably aware, the NFL expanded its postseason field from 12 to 14 teams as part of negotiations for last spring's new collective bargaining agreement with players. The change increased the value of the top seed in each conference while devaluing the No. 2 seed, which no longer will receive a first-round bye.

But, with the NFL using a new, expanded playoff system this year, many fans are unsure of exactly how the postseason will work or what the Super Bowl brackets will look like. The Kansas City Chiefs currently hold the critical No. 1 seed in the AFC, which would earn them a first-round bye in the NFL playoffs.

More recently, the NFL has discussed the possibility of further expansion to 16 teams, league sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen, if COVID-19 protocols force the cancellation of a significant number of games over the next two months. It's wild to think about half the league making the playoffs. For now, we'll focus on the top seven teams per conference while keeping an eye on any challengers lurking nearby. As always, ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) provides critical context. Let's take a look at the field as it stands.

1. My predictions for the 2020-21 playoffs, please let me know what you think in the comments!
2. Four teams on each side of the NFL playoff brackets. It has come down to four games to decide who will play in the AFC and NFC Championship games. NFL Divisional Round Playoffs 2020/21.

Jump to: AFC NFC

AFC

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 99.7%
FPI chances to win division: 71.7%

It would have been very 2020 for the Steelers to upend their undefeated start against the hapless Cowboys, who started their third consecutive game with a different quarterback Sunday. But the Steelers' comeback victory allowed them to complete a perfect first half of the season and maintain their spot atop the AFC.

It's not entirely clear whether home-field advantage throughout the playoffs will hold the same value as in previous years, given the likelihood of limited or no fans in the stands. But that's a discussion for December. More immediately, the Steelers hold a two-plus-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North, having already won the teams' first of two regular-season matchups.

Up next: vs. Bengals

2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 99.9%
FPI chances to win division: 97.2%

The Super Bowl champions are right where everyone figured they would be to start the second half: challenging for the AFC's top seed. They won't get a chance for a head-to-head matchup with the Steelers, but they've already defeated the Bills and Ravens. The Chiefs lost only one game after Week 8 last season and, overall, have won 18 of their past 20 games, including the playoffs. But their schedule includes some tough games once they emerge from next week's bye, including matchups with the Raiders, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Saints.

Up next: at Raiders (Week 11)

3. Buffalo Bills (7-2)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 94.5%
FPI chances to win division: 84.8%

Plenty of us expected the Bills to lose Sunday for the third time in five games, increasing the risk that they would squander their best chance to win the AFC East championship this century. They instead thumped the Seahawks in a way that will reverberate throughout the league, forcing Seattle QB Russell Wilson into four turnovers while their own quarterback, Josh Allen, threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns.

The win allowed the Bills to maintain a two-plus-game lead in the division, having already won the first of their two regular-season matchups against the Dolphins. The second will come in Week 17. Clinching the AFC's top seed will be more difficult; for one, they would lose a tiebreaker to the Chiefs given their Week 6 loss to them. But we'll accept one step at a time for a franchise that hasn't won the AFC East since 1995 -- a year before Allen was born.

Up next: at Cardinals

4. Tennessee Titans (6-2)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 85.5%
FPI chances to win division: 71.2%

The Titans halted a two-game losing streak Sunday and reestablished themselves as the favorites in the AFC South. Their only challenger at this point is the Colts, over whom they hold a one-game lead. The teams will play Thursday night and then again two weeks later. So it's quite possible the Titans could all but lock up the division before the start of December.

Up next: at Colts

5. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 98.4%
FPI chances to win division: 27.5%

Nfl Playoff Bracket 2020-211

The Ravens' two losses have come against the AFC's top two teams, Pittsburgh and Kansas City, so it's hardly concerning to see them currently in the wild-card race. They'll have a chance to close the gap with the Steelers in Week 12, and thereafter will play only one more team -- Cleveland -- that currently has a winning record. It's way too early for anyone to concede the AFC North, or the conference in general, to the Steelers.

Up next: at Patriots

6. Las Vegas Raiders (5-3)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 59.6%
FPI chances to win division: 2.8%

After stopping a furious final drive Sunday by the Chargers, the Raiders emerged from Week 9 holding a three-way tiebreaker for the sixth seed in the AFC. Their 3-2 conference record gives them the immediate advantage over the Dolphins and Browns. They're also in position to rise in the AFC West should the Chiefs stumble at all. The Raiders already have won in Kansas City, and the rematch in Las Vegas is scheduled for Week 11. If nothing else, the Raiders are four wins away from their second winning season since 2002.

Up next: vs. Broncos

7. Miami Dolphins (5-3)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 50%
FPI chances to win division: 14%

Is it possible for a team to transition to a rookie quarterback amid a march to the playoffs? The Dolphins will show us. They're now 2-0 since benching starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, who led them to a 3-3 start, and inserting Tua Tagovailoa into the lineup. In what appears to be a down year for the Patriots, the Dolphins will seemingly post the primary challenge to the Bills in the AFC East. Even if they fall short, the Dolphins could be a prime beneficiary of the expanded bracket.

Up next: vs. Chargers

Also in the AFC mix

Cleveland Browns (5-3): The Browns in the playoff hunt? It hasn't happened in a serious way in 13 years. But at the very least, they guaranteed themselves an interesting second half of the season. The Browns have the Texans next week.

Indianapolis Colts (5-3): If the Colts are going to be serious challengers for the playoffs, they'll need to energize an offense that entered Week 9 ranked No. 24 in scoring (22 points per game). They're ranked ahead of only one team that also has a winning record (Bears). Indy travels to Nashville for a Thursday night game against the Titans in Week 10.

NFC

1. New Orleans Saints (6-2)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 95.5%
FPI chances to win division: 59.2%

A lot changed Sunday night for the Saints. Their dominant victory over the Buccaneers put them atop the NFC South, completing a season sweep of Tampa Bay that makes them the clear favorites to win the division. And because the Seahawks lost in Buffalo, the Saints are now perched atop the entire conference. The Saints' 5-1 conference record serves as the tiebreaker between the teams. Better yet: They won't again play a team that currently has a winning record until Week 15 against the Chiefs.

Up next: vs. 49ers

2. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 93.6%
FPI chances to win division: 59.2%

After riding the magical Russell Wilson train for the first five weeks of the season, the Seahawks have lost two of their past three games. Most surprisingly, Wilson has committed seven turnovers in those two losses. Not as surprisingly, the Seahawks' defense has been outmanned and largely steamrollered. They have allowed 81 points in those games, and overall this season, every opponent has scored at least 25 points against them. Every week is a new week. But after this one, it's fair to suggest that the Seahawks will have to work to hold off the Cardinals in the NFC West.

Up next: at Rams

3. Green Bay Packers (6-2)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 97.5%
FPI chances to win division: 90.5%

Even after a home loss to the Vikings in Week 8, the Packers are in excellent shape to win their second consecutive NFC North title. And if you're peaking ahead to the race for the No. 1 seed, the Packers' Week 6 defeat to the Buccaneers might prove less consequential after the Saints took control of the NFC West on Sunday night. The Packers are among the minority of NFL teams that have no plans to allow fans into their games this season, something to keep in mind next month if they are in the running for home-field advantage.

Up next: vs. Jaguars

4. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 78.8%
FPI chances to win division: 78.8%

Here we go again! The Eagles have stumbled out of the 2020 gates, much as they did in 2019, but have benefited from worse performances by the rest of their division rivals. The Eagles were 5-7 last season before winning their final four games to clinch the NFC East at 9-7. This season, they might not even need a winning record. Despite three wins in eight games, the Eagles own a multi-game lead in the division thanks to Washington's six losses, along with seven by the Cowboys and Giants.

Nfl Playoff Bracket 2020-21 Predictions

Up next: at Giants

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 88.1%
FPI chances to win division: 30%

Dang. It's hard to know where the Buccaneers stand after Sunday night's embarrassing beatdown. You rarely see a top playoff team get shut down on all levels like that. Is it possible to view it as a one-off no-show? Or do two significant losses to the Saints in nine weeks mean they aren't a Super Bowl contender? Recency bias always comes into play, but it sure seems like the latter.

On a practical level, the Buccaneers can't win a tiebreaker with the Saints for the NFC South title, if it comes to that. If they want to win the division, they'll need to overtake them outright.

Up next: at Panthers

6. Arizona Cardinals (5-3)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 63.8%
FPI chances to win division: 17.4%

The Cardinals appear ahead of schedule, having staked an early wild-card position in Year 2 of the Kliff Kingsbury/Kyler Murray era. They hold an early tiebreaker over the Rams, having won both of their division games, and were especially impressive in a Week 7 victory over the Seahawks. But they're also about to embark on possibly the most difficult stretch of their season, with games upcoming against the Bills and at the Seahawks. We'll soon see how far they've really come.

Up next: vs. Bills

Nfl Playoff Bracket 2020-21 Printable

7. Los Angeles Rams (5-3)

FPI chances to make playoffs: 67.2%
FPI chances to win division: 20.3%

Of all the teams in the NFL's top 14, the Rams seem like the least formidable playoff competitor. They've defeated only one team with a winning record (Bears), and their other four victories have come against the woeful NFC East. Have they simply feasted on really bad teams? Will it matter? In an expanded postseason, they could qualify with three or four more victories. Fortunately, three sub-.500 teams remain on their schedule: the 49ers in Week 12, the Patriots in Week 14 and the Jets in Week 15.

Up next: vs. Seahawks

Also in the NFC mix

Nfl Playoff Bracket 2020-21 Updated

Chicago Bears (5-4): The Bears' offense has made it really, really difficult for their excellent defense. In a loss Sunday to the Titans, they managed only two rushes longer than 5 yards. But given the Rams' shaky play, a wild-card spot is well within reach. Chicago has the Vikings next week.

San Francisco 49ers (4-5): In most years, the 49ers wouldn't be in this conversation. They've lost so many key players to injuries and COVID-19 protocols that their loss Thursday night to the Packers felt like a preseason game. But like the Bears, they are poised to ascend if they can balance out their play. A trip to New Orleans is next up.