AFC playoff picture: Week 16
The AFC playoff picture is clearing up in a big way. Of the six spots, two have been claimed with the New England Patriots earning the AFC East title and the Cincinnati Bengals ensuring themselves of, at least, a wild card spot. The other four positions are wide open, although they can all be clinched this weekend.
In the AFC South, the Houston Texans are leading the Indianapolis Colts by one game and the Jacksonville Jaguars by two. Houston also holds the tiebreaker on Indianapolis after beating it at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 15 and could clinch the division with a win this weekend over the Tennessee Titans. Should the Texans not be able to best Tennessee this weekend, the Texans can finish off the division with a victory over Jacksonville.
The only hope for Indianapolis is beating both the Miami Dolphins and Titans, while getting Houston to lose both contests.
The wild card picture is very simple. The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets are all sitting with 9-5 records. Kansas City beats out Pittsburgh because of a head-to-head tiebreaker while besting New York on a conference tiebreaker. Pittsburgh is currently the sixth seed because of a common opponent tiebreaker over the Jets.
In essence, the Chiefs can’t finish outside the playoff picture provided it beats both the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders over the next two weeks at Arrowhead Stadium. The same can be said for the Steelers, who only need to beat the Baltimore Ravens and Browns, both on the road.
New York needs to likely win out against New England and the Buffalo Bills and then get the Steelers or Chiefs to lose one of their final games. The Jets could split against the Patriots and Bills, but then would need Pittsburgh and/or Kansas City to lose out.
The Denver Broncos also factor into the equation. Denver can win the AFC West by beating both the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers at home. However, should the Broncos lose one of their final two games and the Chiefs win out, then Denver needs the Jets or Steelers to lose at least once to be a wild card team.
Ultimately, the Jets are currently on the outside looking in and need serious help to get in. Pittsburgh and Kansas City will be heavily favored in each of the last two weeks, while Denver will also be expected to beat both opponents. New York will also have a tough time winning out, facing a New England team that can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Week 16 promises to be one of the best days of the sports calendar. In the AFC, it will be a day of clinching, devastation and drama.
