The AFC playoff race is shaping up to be an extremely tight finish.
With four games remaining, there are six teams with a 7-6 record and three teams with an 8-5 record. Only one team (the 3-10 New England Patriots) has been eliminated from playoff contention in the AFC.
The Denver Broncos (7-6) are currently the No. 9 seed in the conference and the top seven teams will make the playoffs. The Broncos are two spots out of a Wild Card position, but they have their eyes on the Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) in their division.
“I’m sure we’ve seen it like this either in the NFC or the AFC, but I can’t recall having been a part of it,” Payton said of the tight race during his conference call with reporters on Monday. “Obviously, we’re a game out in our division, and that’s how we’re looking at it.
“We kind of talked about this last week. This next quarter poll is going to obviously define a lot for a lot of teams, and fortunately, we’re one of those teams. We just have to focus on the next job. It is unusual [for so many teams to have such close records]. I think it probably comes up a little more than we think and moves around from the NFC to the AFC. It makes it exciting for the fans, and certainly for the TV.”
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings going into Week 15.
Division Leaders
1. Baltimore Ravens (10-3)
2. Miami Dolphins (9-4)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
Wild Card Leaders
5. Cleveland Browns (8-5)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
In the Hunt
8. Houston Texans (7-6)
9. Denver Broncos (7-6)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
11. Buffalo Bills (7-6)
After facing an NFC opponent in the Detroit Lions (9-4) on Sunday, the Broncos will face three AFC opponents — the Patriots (3-10), Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) and Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) to wrap up the regular season. If Denver wins those final three games, the Broncos will likely secure a spot in the playoffs.
