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After eight weeks, the NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape, with some potentially surprising players still in the thick of things, and even in position to make the playoffs if they were to start today.
In the AFC, the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts would both be playoff-bound if the season were to end at the end of Week 8's action. The 4-3 Dolphins are situated in a wild-card spot along with the 4-3 Colts, with the Pittsburgh Steelers right at the two teams' heels at 4-3.
The Broncos are the beneficiaries of a AFC West division with poor records to open the year, as the Broncos would enter the playoffs as the fourth seed and the West champions if the season were to end today.
The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens would be the recipients of the AFC's two byes if the playoffs were to begin next wee, with the 6-1 Texans just besting the 5-2 Ravens for the conference's best record and No. 1 overall seed.
The AFC East-leading New England Patriots would be the conference's third seed if the playoffs began today.