We are halfway through the season so it might be time to start taking stock of what teams have set themselves up for a playoff run.
AFC East
New England Patriots 8-0
New England actually has to play real competition down the stretch as their next five opponents are playoff contenders. The idea they will go 16-0 — even with a dominant defense — seems a bit questionable. They will probably end up around 14-2 with the top seed in the AFC. That’s not too bad. The AFC still goes through New England.
Remaining Schedule: @Ravens, @Eagles, Cowboys, @Texans, Chiefs, @Bengals, Bills, Dolphins
Buffalo Bills 5-2
The Bills came back to earth this Sunday in a loss to the Eagles. There’s no shame in that. Buffalo has the same issues they had a few weeks ago. They have a dominant defense but will struggle against any team that scores 28 points or more. They most likely won’t catch the Patriots — they are two games back and the Patriots already beat them head to head — but they could get the top wild-card seed. They have some obvious wins left on their schedule.
Remaining Schedule: Redskins, @Browns, @Dolphins, Broncos, @Cowboy, Ravens, @Steelers, @Patriots, Jets
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens 5-2
The Ravens may not have much competition in the AFC North, but it could get scary for Baltimore if they slip up. They have games against some good teams. Luckily for them, they play the Patriots, Niners, and Texans at home.
Remaining Schedule: Patriots, @Bengals, Texans, @Rams, Niners, @Bills, Jets, @Browns, Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-4
The Steelers are currently the only team that could scare the Ravens. The Browns aren’t on the list because they are currently 2-5. Pittsburgh has some pretty easy away games left on its schedule. Steal a home game from the Colts are Rams and they are back in the race.
Remaining Schedule: Colts, Rams, @Browns, @Bengals, Browns, @Cardinals, Bills, @Jets, @Ravens
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts 5-2
Very few people thought the Colts would be first in the AFC South halfway through the season after they lost Andrew Luck. They could be 7-2 before they face three division opponents in a row. Win two of those games and they could lock up the AFC South. Jacoby Brissett is playing extremely well. The Colts are relying on their depth and overall team talent to win close games.
Remaining Schedule: @Steelers, Dolphins, Jaguars, @Texans, Titans, @Bucs, @Saints, Panthers, @Jaguars
Houston Texans 5-3
That is a brutal schedule for the Texans. They play two tough away games, followed by two difficult home games. They end the season facing the Titans in two of the last three weeks. The Texans were a lot of people’s favorites in the AFC South. The next few weeks will show if they are real Super Bowl contenders.
Remaining Schedule: @Jaguars, @Ravens, Colts, Patriots, Broncos, @Titans, @Bucs, Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-4
Jacksonville makes the list. It’s too early to keep them off. The Jaguars could actually make a run at the AFC South over the next three weeks. There are two away games against the Colts and the Titans, but if they can win two out of the next three they could make a run for the wildcard. Win them all and the AFC South is in play.
Remaining Schedule: Texans, @Colts, @Titans, Bucs, Chargers, @Raiders, @Falcons, Colts
Tennessee Titans 4-4
That’s not an easy schedule remaining for the Titans, but maybe the quarterback change gives them new life. Their toughest games are in Nashville so if they can use home field to their advantage their season could get interesting.
Remaining Schedule: @Panthers, Chiefs, Jaguars, @Colts, @Raiders, Texans, Saints, @Texans
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs 5-3
If the Chiefs want a bye they may have to run the table when Patrick Mahomes returns. We will see if he comes back this upcoming week against the Vikings. If he doesn’t, that’s a tough game to win. Traveling to New England and Chicago late in the season will be difficult. The good news is that there isn’t much competition in the AFC West.
Remaining Schedule: Vikings, @Titans, @Chargers, Raiders, @Patriots, Broncos, @Bears, Chargers
Oakland Raiders 3-4
The Raiders finally head back to Oakland this weekend and have three weeks straight to get right. They win those three games and they could be contenders in the AFC West. Their schedule is actually not that difficult and they could make a run at a wildcard.
Remaining Games: Lions, Chargers, Bengals, @Jets, @Chiefs, Titans, Jaguars, @Titans, Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers 3-5
The Chargers received a stay of execution thanks to Matt Nagy’s decision to force his kicker into a longer field goal this weekend. That game may have just delayed the inevitable as Green Bay, @Oakland, and Kansas City may put an end to a season where Los Angeles came in with high expectations.
Remaining Schedule: Packers, @Raiders, Chiefs, @Broncos, @Jaguars, Vikings, Raiders, @Chiefs
