With 12 groups nonetheless .500 or higher via 12 weeks within the season, the AFC continues to be probably the most unpredictable convention in years. The Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos are all tied for the ultimate playoff berth (with the Chargers holding the tiebreaker) — and are in the identical division! The Baltimore Ravens are the brand new high seed within the convention, but are simply two video games up on the ultimate playoff spot.
No matter what occurs within the AFC, the wild card playoff race seems to be poised to return right down to the ultimate weekend of the common season. With 13 groups within the combine for seven spots, each recreation within the AFC issues — particularly with all three tight division races.
Quickly groups will begin eliminating one another in these division battles. Let’s take a revised have a look at the highest contenders for the three wild card spots within the convention.
Present AFC division leaders
The AFC division leaders via the primary 12 weeks. All at the moment have a playoff spot locked up in the event that they declare the division crown.
- Ravens (8-3) North
- Patriots (8-4) East
- Titans (8-4) South
- Chiefs (7-4) West
AFC wild-card contenders ranked
It is a rating of the groups competing for a wild-card spot within the AFC. Solely three groups could make the playoffs, so the highest three clearly have the perfect likelihood to make the postseason via the primary 12 weeks of the yr.
Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Buccaneers, vs. Panthers, at Patriots, vs. Falcons, vs. Jets
The Payments have management of their very own future within the AFC East, attending to face the Patriots twice in a four-week span that can actually decide the division winner. A sweep of the Patriots and the Payments are primarily a lock for the division crown, however the AFC East seems to have two groups as a lock for the playoffs. Thursday’s win towards the Saints was essential for the Payments in gaining momentum for the stretch run. Going 2-1 towards the Patriots and Buccaneers will likely be enormous for Buffalo’s playoff destiny (Buffalo remains to be just one recreation out of incomes dwelling discipline within the AFC).
Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, vs. 49ers, at Broncos, vs. Ravens, vs. Chiefs, at Browns
Large win for the Bengals, who blew out the Steelers and emerged because the Ravens’ greatest menace within the AFC North. For now the Bengals are a wild-card workforce, however they’ve had the look of a division champion a number of instances this season. A brutal schedule awaits Cincinnati as each workforce the Bengals play for the remainder of the yr has a document of .500 or higher. The Bengals have a top-10 offense and protection to deal with the problem, however going 3-3 over the ultimate six video games must be sufficient to get them within the postseason.
Remaining schedule: at Texans, Bye Week, vs. Patriots, at Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Jaguars
Falling to the defending Tremendous Bowl champions will not be ideally suited, particularly because the Colts had a commanding lead in that recreation at one level. Their hopes of constructing the playoffs aren’t dashed (even when their division title chances are high). The Colts have a troublesome stretch with the Patriots and Cardinals, however going 1-1 will likely be enormous for his or her playoff probabilities. Indianapolis is tenth within the standings, but solely a half recreation out of the ultimate playoff spot with the Texans and Jaguars on the schedule. The Colts are nonetheless in good condition.
4. Chargers (6-5)
Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Giants, vs. Chiefs, at Texans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders
The Chargers would be the No. 7 seed within the AFC, however shedding to the Broncos did not assist their postseason probabilities. A win would have put Los Angeles in first place within the AFC West and in wonderful form to achieve the playoffs. As a substitute, they’ve a showdown with the Bengals arising that might in the end decide one of many wild-card spots. Los Angeles nonetheless has Justin Herbert at quarterback, an enormous benefit within the weeks forward — even together with his struggles. Having the Giants and Texans on the schedule helps as effectively.
Remaining schedule: Bye Week, vs. Ravens, vs. Raiders, at Packers, at Steelers, vs. Bengals
A loss to the Ravens damage the Browns within the AFC North, however Cleveland remains to be a half recreation out of the ultimate playoff spot within the convention — regardless of being twelfth within the standings. Their playoff outlook is not horrible even with the inconsistency on offense plaguing a resurgent protection. The Browns must go 2-1 towards the AFC North to maintain inside hanging distance of the postseason. If Cleveland can end robust and get to 10 wins …
6. Raiders (6-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Washington, at Chiefs, at Browns, vs. Broncos, at Colts, vs. Chargers
An upset of the Cowboys on Thanksgiving modified the Raiders’ playoff outlook. Vegas is the No. 8 seed within the convention, shedding a head-to-head tiebreaker to Los Angeles from earlier within the yr. The Raiders will likely be overcoming a number of adversity the remainder of the yr, but have dealt with the problem of an interim coach and the Henry Ruggs incident effectively. Sadly for Vegas, the schedule will not be simple the remainder of the season.
Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, vs. Lions, vs. Bengals, at Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Chiefs
Upsetting the Chargers was enormous for Denver, which has one of many high defenses within the convention. Regardless of the inconsistent quarterback play, the Broncos stay in hanging distance for a playoff spot due to a powerful protection and dashing assault. The Broncos have a troublesome street to the playoffs in a crowded convention with higher groups. They will be in each recreation, however the margin for error is slim — particularly with two matchups with the Chiefs of their remaining six video games.
Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, Bye Week, vs. Jets, at Saints, at Titans, vs. Patriots
The Dolphins nonetheless have the longest of lengthy pictures to make the playoffs, however have received 4 in a row and are one of many hottest groups within the AFC. Their schedule may be very favorable with the Giants and Jets arising, adopted by a struggling Saints workforce. Miami might be seven in a row and an over .500 document in the event that they care for enterprise. Add Tennessee struggling and Miami’s success towards New England — the Dolphins have a shot. Miami is 1.5 video games out of the ultimate playoff spot in any case. They don’t seem to be accomplished but.
9. Steelers (5-5-1)
Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Vikings, vs. Titans, at Chiefs, vs. Browns, at Ravens
That tie might be the Steelers’ greatest good friend come Week 18, however this workforce seems to be prefer it’s on the verge of falling aside. Laborious to depend out any Mike Tomlin-coached workforce, however the Steelers have an growing old roster with a quarterback that might be spending his final yr with the one professional franchise he is ever performed for. The Steelers do not have a single recreation left on their schedule towards a workforce that is underneath .500 of their convention. Their probabilities of going to the postseason in a loaded convention aren’t good.
Not ok
None of those groups are ok to make the playoffs, however they don’t seem to be technically out both in a loopy AFC:
