AFC Playoff Picture heading into Week 16

We are changing it up a little bit. There are seven teams left in the AFC playoff race and there are six spots, but all of the divisions are — essentially — over with. That means the only race left is for the two wildcard spots. Let’s just get right to it.

AFC East

New England Patriots 11-3

The divisions are essentially done but the Bills and Patriots could finish with a 12-4 record if the Bills win out and the Patriots lose to the Bills and beat the Dolphins. It’s over because if that happens, the Bills can’t win the AFC East due to the common opponents’ tiebreaker. The only way the Patriots can lose the AFC east is by the Bills winning out and the Patriots losing out. That’s tough to picture happening.

Remaining Schedule: Bills, Dolphins

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens 12-2

The Ravens have clinched the AFC North. They will clinch the top seed in the division if they win against the Browns in Cleveland. That would allow them to rest players against the Steelers if Baltimore so desired.

Remaining Schedule: @Browns, Steelers

AFC South

Houston Texans 9-5

The Texans are a tough team to get a handle on. They were kind of outplayed by the Titans and still won that game in Tennessee. They have the inside track to the AFC South. Luckily for Houston, they face the Bucs this week and the Titans play the Saints. That’s a difference. Houston could lose the South if they lose out. Houston holds the tiebreaker over the Titans due to a better winning percentage in the AFC South.

Remaining Schedule: @Bucs, Titans

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs 10-4

The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West. They will now try and hope the Patriots lose a game so they can steal the second seed in the AFC. Kansas City is playing its best football at the right time. The Ravens have to want them to play in the first round of the playoffs.

Remaining Schedule: @Bears, Chargers

AFC Wildcard

Buffalo Bills 10-4

The Bills offense doesn’t look good. The Bills defense looks great. Essentially the Bills are the Patriots without the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately for the Bills, they need the Dolphins to beat the Patriots to win the AFC East. The good news is that 11-5 seems extremely realistic for Buffalo. That means they will face the worst of the division champions.

Remaining Schedule: @Patriots, Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers 8-6

Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker over the Titans if they finish with the same record due to a better winning percentage in conference games. They may need it. The Jets should be an easy victory, but the Ravens may control Pittsburgh’s playoff destiny. If they sit everyone in that Week 17 game, the Steelers will make it to the playoffs.

Remaining Schedule: @Jets, @Ravens

Tennessee Titans 8-6

Tennessee needed to beat the Texans to have a real shot at the playoffs. Now they need to win out and get some help. That’s their current situation. It’s not crazy to think the Steelers could end up 9-7. It’s tough to picture the Titans beating the Saints — and their strong run defense — and the Titans in Houston.

Remaining Schedule: Saints @Texans

Projected Finishes and Seeding next . . .