AFC Playoff Picture heading into Week 14

It might be time to talk about the Patriots but we will know more after this week against the Chiefs. It’s definitely time to talk about the Ravens and how they’ve looked like an unstoppable force. Even with the Texans’ impressive victory, there’s a challenger lurking in the South. The AFC West is still the Chiefs to lose.

AFC East

New England Patriots 10-2

New England had to go 2-2 in their stretch of games that started with the Eagles and ended with the Chiefs. That’s exactly what was said last week. It still stands. Of course, winning against Kansas City is probably in their best interest. They still have the inside track at winning the AFC East, but a victory against the Chiefs may also assure them a bye.

Remaining Schedule: Chiefs, @Bengals, Bills, Dolphins

Buffalo Bills 9-3

The Bills have a legit shot at winning the AFC East. Of course, they will have to beat the Ravens and Steelers first and then beat the Patriots in New England. They could enter Week 17 needing a win to get to the playoffs.

Remaining Schedule: Ravens, @Steelers, @Patriots, Jets

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens 10-2

Baltimore has to be recognized as the best team in the AFC — and maybe the entire NFL. A win against the Bills would be huge for the shot at the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If the Patriots lose to Kansas City, they could rest their starters the final game against the Steelers.

Remaining Schedule: @Bills, Jets, @Browns, Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers 6-5

The Steelers would love the Ravens to rest their players in the final week of the season It would mean Pittsburgh has a chance at the five seed. Pittsburgh can not take Arizona lightly. After that, they face the Bills in Pittsburgh which will be a huge wildcard and playoff tiebreaker.

Remaining Schedule: @Cardinals, Bills, @Jets, @Ravens

AFC South

Houston Texans 8-4

The Texans got a huge win against the Patriots proving that Houston should be considered a real threat in the playoffs this season. It’s tougher to get wins over good opponents on the road and the early season slip-ups may cost Houston in the end. For now, the real issue is the surging Titans. Houston still must play Tennessee twice and the Titans are only a game back.

Remaining Schedule: Broncos, @Titans, @Bucs, Titans

Tennessee Titans 7-5

Tennessee has its own loser leaves town match with the 6-6 Raiders this weekend. With a win, they will be facing Houston with the AFC South lead on the line. The late-season game against the Saints is brutal especially since New Orleans will be fighting for playoff seeding.

Remaining Schedule: @Raiders, Texans, Saints @Texans

Indianapolis Colts 6-6

Three away games to end the season probably puts an end to the Colts playoff hopes. If they can beat the Bucs, they will have to beat the Saints in Week 15.

Remaining Schedule: @Bucs, @Saints, Panthers, @Jaguars

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs 8-4

The Chiefs have a commanding two-game lead over the Raiders in the AFC West. Oakland proved it wasn’t a threat this past weekend. Kansas City will not try and run the table to get to 12-4 which could still get a bye — since they would have the tiebreaker over New England in that scenario.

Remaining Schedule: @Patriots, Broncos, @Bears, Chargers

Oakland Raiders 6-6

If the Raiders can beat the Titans in Oakland this weekend, they have a legitimate shot at finishing the season 10-6 which should be good enough for a wild card in the AFC. They are trending in the wrong direction though.

Remaining Games: Titans, Jaguars, @Chargers, Broncos

Projected Finishes and Seeding next . . .