AFC playoff picture, Week 13: Titans-Browns headline
The AFC playoff picture is taking shape at the top with madness in the wild card section. Here’s what you should be watching for in Week 13.
We’re only five weeks away from the playoffs. In the AFC, all teams have had their bye weeks, so it’s a full-on, full-out sprint the rest of the way.
Going into the Week 13 matchups this weekend, here’s how the AFC playoff picture looks.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
3. Tennessee Titans (8-3)
4. Buffalo Bills (8-3)
5. Cleveland Browns (8-3)
6. Miami Dolphins (7-4)
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-4)
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8. Las Vegas Raiders (6-5)
9. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
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The biggest game on the docket features the Browns visiting Tennessee. Both are 8-3 with the Titans trying to keep their place atop the division secure, while Cleveland is hoping to maintain top wild card status. With the Steelers three games ahead of the Browns in the AFC North, the No. 5 seed is the best Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield can realistically hope for.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, the Steelers are playing on Monday night against the Washington Football Team. Despite being 4-7, Washington is tied for first place in the NFC East and has a quality front seven with playmakers in receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Antonio Gibson on the offense. If the Steelers win, they run their record to 12-0 before meeting Buffalo next Sunday night.
As for the Bills, they play Monday’s back end in the doubleheader, taking on the San Francisco 49ers (in Arizona). Buffalo is making the trip to the desert for the second time in a three-week span. This time, the Bills are hoping for a less painful result. A win would go a long way towards wrapping up their first AFC East title since 1995.
Read: Blake Bortles To Steer Clear of Denver Broncos For Rest of Season
Buffalo is being chased by the Dolphins, who have a layup at home this Sunday afternoon against the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati is 2-9-1 and starting Brandon Allen at quarterback.
Elsewhere, the Chiefs play host on Sunday night to the Denver Broncos. Kansas City is a two-touchdown favorite and with Patrick Mahomes on pace for 5,000 passing yards, the Chiefs are expected to notch their 11th win without much trouble.
The only team to beat Kansas City, the Raiders, are playing the winless New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. A loss would obviously be crushing, and just about end any playoff hopes. Baltimore, also 6-5, is trying to stay in the race with a Tuesday night game against the Dallas Cowboys at home. After that, a Monday night affair with Cleveland.
Lastly, the Colts try to bounce back after being flattened by the Titans when they visit the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon.
