The bye weeks are over, and teams have just one month left to prove their worth as the NFL season winds toward the finish line. Some clubs have already solidified themselves as true contenders while others are still looking to earn their way into the tournament.

With just four weeks of regular-season action left, it's time to break down how things might look when the playoffs kick off in January.

AFC East

Buffalo (10-3)
Remaining schedule – At Detroit, New England, N.Y. Jets, at New England

Buffalo has already clinched its fifth straight division title despite dropping a 44-42 decision to the Rams in L.A. on Sunday in what was arguably the season's best game thus far. The Bills look very much like a Super Bowl contender and Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level. Probably need to win out to grab the top seed, but a 3-1 finish could bring the No. 2 spot assuming Kansas City doesn't falter.

Miami (6-7)
Remaining schedule – At Houston, 49ers, at Cleveland, at N.Y. Jets

The Dolphins are the only other division team still alive, but Miami faces a tough road. The Texans have been inconsistent, though, leaving the Dolphins a chance for a road win. The desperate Niners won't be a picnic either. But a 9-8 finish could be enough to steal a wild card spot.

AFC North

Pittsburgh (10-3)
Remaining schedule – At Philadelphia, at Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati

The Steelers have arguably the toughest road left and easily could drop all four games. But Pittsburgh has surprised most all year long and a 2-2 finish (or better) isn't out of the question. The Steelers and Bills are likely jockeying for the second seed behind the Chiefs.

Baltimore (8-5)
Remaining schedule – N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, at Houston, Cleveland

The Ravens could easily run the table with this slate and steal the division from the Steelers with some help. If the teams tie at 12-5, it would depend on which two teams Pittsburgh loses to in order to decide the division. But even if the Ravens have to settle for a wild card this is a talented and dangerous team come the playoffs.

Cincinnati (5-8)
Remaining schedule – At Titans, Cleveland, Denver, at Pittsburgh

The Bengals are alive mathematically but would need to run the table and then get some help, although the Broncos win would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker. It's a shame that Cincy is wasting a truly special season from Joe Burrow.

AFC South

Houston (8-5)
Remaining schedule – Miami, at Kansas City, Baltimore, at Tennessee

C.J. Stroud and the Texans have been inconsistent for the better part of two months, and only the Titans game looks like a gimme at this point. In reality, Houston lost to the Titans at home a couple of weeks ago so even that is no guarantee. They did sweep the Colts, however, so the division is likely safe.

Indianapolis (6-7)
Remaining schedule – At Denver, Tennessee, at N.Y. Giants, Jacksonville

Huge game for the Colts this week at Mile High. A win would set up the very real possibility of winning out to get to 10-7, and the Texans would then have to go at least 2-2 to hang on. A 3-1 finish would put Indy at 9-8 and very much in the wild card mix.

AFC West

Kansas City (12-1)
Remaining schedule – Cleveland, Houston, at Pittsburgh, at Denver

The Chiefs have found just about every way to win there is, but they'll need a couple more to lock down the first-round bye after capturing their ninth straight division title. Couple of tough road games to close it out, which could give Pittsburgh or Buffalo a chance to steal the top seed.

L.A. Chargers (8-5)
Remaining schedule – Tampa Bay, Denver, at New England, at Las Vegas

The Chargers are a rock-solid team but seem to lack that little something extra to get over the top. They've already beaten the Broncos in Denver, so a 4-0 finish isn't out of the question. Hard to envision Jim Harbaugh not grabbing a wild card with that remaining slate.

Denver (8-5)
Remaining schedule – Indianapolis, at L.A. Chargers, at Cincinnati, Kansas City

Bo Nix has enjoyed a successful rookie season, and the Broncos look like a playoff team, but there is still work to be done. A challenging home stretch could open the door for the Colts and Bengals, who both appear on the schedule. The Colts game in particular could decide the final wild card spot.

Predictions

1. Kansas City
2. Buffalo
3. Baltimore
4. Houston
5. Pittsburgh
6. L.A. Chargers
7. Denver

NFC East

Philadelphia (11-2)
Remaining schedule – Pittsburgh, at Washington, Dallas, N.Y. Giants

The Eagles defense is playing at a high level but the passing game still is a work in progress. Jalen Hurts needs to keep A.J. Brown happy and productive if the Eagles want to make a run.

Washington (8-5)
Remaining schedule – At New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, at Dallas

The division likely belongs to the Eagles, but Washington should be in good shape for the wild card. Even a 2-2 finish and 10-7 mark should be plenty to get that done.

Dallas (5-8)
Remaining schedule – At Carolina, Tampa Bay, at Philadelphia, Washington

The Cowboys are alive in name only. Even a 4-0 finish wouldn't guarantee a playoff spot.

NFC North

Detroit (12-1)
Remaining schedule – Buffalo, at Chicago, at San Francisco, Minnesota

Not an easy slate for the Lions, who are just a game ahead of Minnesota for the division and the Eagles for the first-round bye. Beating the Vikings would likely secure the former as it would give Detroit sweeps over Minnesota and Green Bay. Still work to be done, though.

Minnesota (11-2)
Remaining schedule – Chicago, at Seattle, Green Bay, at Detroit

Winning the three division games would give Minnesota a chance to steal the title if the Lions falter. Detroit's 8-1 conference mark gives the Lions a leg up, however. Still plenty to play for.

Green Bay (9-4)
Remaining schedule – At Seattle, New Orleans, at Minnesota, Chicago

The Packers are in solid position to grab a wild card spot but will be hard-pressed to move ahead of Detroit or Minnesota.

Chicago (4-9)
Remaining schedule – At Minnesota, Detroit, Seattle, at Green Bay

Chicago hasn't won since October and won't be alive much longer given the closing schedule.

NFC South

Tampa Bay (7-6)
Remaining schedule – At L.A. Chargers, at Dallas, Carolina, New Orleans

The Bucs have watched Atlanta implode and are poised to grab the division despite dropping both games to the Falcons.

Atlanta (6-7)
Remaining schedule – At Las Vegas, N.Y. Giants, at Washington, Carolina

The Falcons almost certainly need to win out to take the division given the ease of the Bucs remaining schedule. Assuming Tampa goes 3-1, Atlanta could still take it with a 10-7 finish thanks to its season sweep of the Bucs.

New Orleans (5-8)
Remaining schedule – Washington, at Green Bay, Las Vegas, at Tampa Bay

The Saints are playing spoiler at this point.

Carolina (3-10)
Remaining schedule – Dallas, Arizona, at Tampa Bay, at Atlanta

Ditto for the Panthers.

NFC West

Seattle (8-5)
Remaining schedule – Green Bay, Minnesota, at Chicago, at L.A. Rams

The Seahawks are hot, but it won't be easy to stay that way. Three tough games remaining, although two are at home against teams fighting for playoff positioning.

L.A. Rams (7-6)
Remaining schedule – At San Francisco, at N.Y. Jets, Arizona, Seattle

Huge game Thursday night for the Rams, who could all but end San Francisco's season by completing the sweep. A 3-1 finish should be enough for a wild card, but Sean McVay has his eyes on the division and a win over the Seahawks could make that a reality.

Arizona (6-7)
Remaining schedule – New England, at Carolina, at L.A. Rams, San Francisco

The Cards have lost three in a row and must turn it around in a hurry. With division games to close it out, Arizona has an opportunity if it can right the ship and win out.

San Francisco (6-7)
Remaining schedule – L.A. Rams, at Miami, Detroit, at Arizona

The team no one wants to play will need to be close to perfect to get there, and they face arguably the toughest schedule of the contenders. It starts Thursday night at home against the Rams, but few are counting out the Niners.

Predictions

1. Detroit
2. Philadelphia
3. L.A. Rams
4. Tampa Bay
5. Minnesota
6. Green Bay
7. Washington

Power 5

1. Detroit (12-1) – The Lions toughness has been impressive to watch.
2. Buffalo (10-3) – So has Josh Allen.
3. Philadelphia (11-2) – The Eagles have the ability, but do they have the intangibles?
4. Kansas City (12-1) – The Chiefs have the intangibles, but do they have the ability?
5. Pittsburgh (10-3) – Russell Wilson continues to make the difference.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer