The AFC Playoff Picture: A Team-by-Team Look
The AFC picture is quite interesting. There is only one wild card spot still up for grabs for several teams to fight over. In addition, all four of the teams in the AFC West still have a chance to win the division.
There are still an awful lot of ways that this whole thing could play out, but this is the current breakdown:
1. New England Patriots (schedule): The Patriots continued rolling this past weekend against the Broncos, ending Tebow's winning streak at six. With losses by Houston, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, the Patriots are in sole possession of first place in the AFC, and will clinch home field throughout if they can beat the Dolphins and Bills in the final two weeks of the season.
2. Baltimore Ravens (schedule): The Ravens got trounced by the Chargers this past weekend, but with the Steelers also losing to the 49ers, they were able to remain the two seed. So long as Baltimore can hold off the Browns and Bengals to finish the season, they will hold onto the first-round bye. A loss could cause them to fall to a wild card spot, if either Houston or Pittsburgh were to win out.
3. Houston Texans (schedule): The Texans are coming off a disappointing game to the Panthers. They have already locked up the AFC South division, and still have a chance at a first-round bye if they can beat the Colts and Titans and get a little bit of help. It remains to be seen how effective the Texans will be without Matt Schaub, and with a nagging injury to Andre Johnson.
4. Denver Broncos (schedule): The Denver Tebows, or Broncos rather, saw their winning streak end to Brady and the Patriots. Thanks to a massive comeback by the Lions and some fantastic catches by Megatron down the stretch, Denver is still holding a one-game lead over the Raiders. They need a win and a Raider loss to win the division. If they were to lose out, they could be displaced by either the Raiders or the Chargers.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (schedule): Although they lost to the 49ers on Monday night, the Steelers still were able to clinch a playoff berth when the Colts knocked off the Titans for their first win of the season. Pittsburgh can still clinch a first round bye if the Ravens stumble and they win out. If not, they will face a road playoff game wild card weekend.
6. New York Jets (schedule): The Jets are coming off a bad loss to the Eagles this past weekend. Fortunately for them, most of the other relevant teams in the playoff hunt also lost. They still hold on to the final playoff spot with a better record in common games than the Bengals (3-2 vs 2-2). The Jets have a big game against the Giants this Saturday and then finish at Miami. They do still control their own destiny, but a loss will open the door to several teams.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (schedule): The Bengals held off the Rams in a 20-13 victory to pull into a virtual tie with the Jets. They still need help, though, as they do not hold the tiebreaker over New York. The Bengals will clinch a wild card spot with two wins against the Cardinals and Ravens, and a Jets loss.
8. Tennessee Titans (schedule): The Titans suffered a devastating loss at the hands of the Colts this past weekend. With only one wild card spot that can be earned, the Titans will need a lot of help, as they are a full game behind both the Jets and Bengals. They still have an outside shot, but this past weekend's loss really crippled Tennessee's playoff hopes.
9. Oakland Raiders (schedule): The Raiders also suffered a terrible loss in Week 15, blowing a 27-14 lead over the Lions, before losing 28-27. Because of the loss, they remain a game behind the Broncos. There are still many ways that the AFC West could play out, but the Raiders will have to win two tough division games against the Chiefs and Chargers and hope for a Bronco loss if they want to win it.
10. San Diego Chargers (schedule): Like the Eagles, the Chargers have found a way to get back into the playoff discussion. Though spectacularly unimpressive for most of the season, the Chargers are surging, winning their last three games in decisive fashion. The Chargers need to win out AND need two Bronco losses in order to clinch the AFC West.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (schedule): Don't ask me how, but somehow, after derailing the Packers perfect season, the Chiefs still have an outside chance to win the AFC West at 6-8. They would need to win out AND have the Broncos lose out AND a Charger loss. If this scenario plays out, the Chiefs will be back in the playoffs.
Eliminated: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.
