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Typical NFL also-rans surge toward playoff position in topsy-turvy season

josh dubow
  • Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs in the endzone after his 1-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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    Bears Lions Football

    Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs in the endzone after his 1-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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  • Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) pretends to take a picture as the team celebrates a touchdown scored by Devin Singletary in the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
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    Cardinals Texans Football

    Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) pretends to take a picture as the team celebrates a touchdown scored by Devin Singletary in the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
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  • Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates his sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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    Steelers Browns Football

    Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates his sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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  • Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, center, celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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    Titans Jaguars Football

    Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, center, celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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  • Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, throws under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Mahomes was charged with intentional grounding on the play. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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    APTOPIX Eagles Chiefs Football

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, throws under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Mahomes was charged with intentional grounding on the play. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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  • New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) scrambles out of the pocket as he is chased by Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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    Giants Commanders Football

    New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) scrambles out of the pocket as he is chased by Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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  • San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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    Buccaneers 49ers Football

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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  • Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland runs for a touchdown after intercepting the pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
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    Cowboys Panthers Football

    Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland runs for a touchdown after intercepting the pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
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Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs in the endzone after his 1-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) pretends to take a picture as the team celebrates a touchdown scored by Devin Singletary in the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates his sack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, center, celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, throws under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Mahomes was charged with intentional grounding on the play. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) scrambles out of the pocket as he is chased by Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland runs for a touchdown after intercepting the pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Inside the Numbers dives into NFL statistics, streaks and trends each week. The way this NFL season is going so far, there's a decent chance there could be a first-time Super Bowl participant for the first time since the 2008 season when Arizona became the 28th franchise to reach the big game. Detroit (8-2), Cleveland (7-3), Jacksonville (7-3) and Houston (6-4) are currently in playoff position with a chance to end their droughts.