AFC playoff picture, Week 15: Dolphins, Ravens must win
With three weeks remaining in the 2020 NFL regular season, the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens needs wins the most in the AFC. The AFC playoff picture is shaping up to be close.
We’re almost to the playoffs. Three weeks are left in the wild and unpredictable 2020 NFL regular season, and the AFC still has plenty to shake out. Pittsburgh and Kansas City have clinched playoff berths, with the latter also winning the AFC West.
Going into Week 15, here’s how everything looks in the AFC playoff picture:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)
3. Buffalo Bills (10-3)
4. Tennessee Titans (9-4)
5. Cleveland Browns (9-4)
6. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
7. Miami Dolphins (8-5)
—
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
9. Las Vegas Raiders (7-6)
Want $250 to bet on NFL Week 15?
With a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, the Steelers clinch the AFC North. Pittsburgh, however, can’t move into the top seed no matter what this week, because…
The Chiefs are on the road against the New Orleans Saints. While the game appears huge because it’s a potential Super Bowl preview, it means little for Kansas City. Even if the Chiefs close, they maintain an edge on Pittsburgh because a non-conference loss means the tiebreaker goes to common games, which Kansas City has in the bag.
If the Chiefs beat one of the Saints and Atlanta Falcons (at Arrowhead), and then handle the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Week 17, they are the No. 1 seed.
Read: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Calls It ‘Ridiculous’ that Mike McCarthy Won’t Return
Meanwhile, Buffalo can clinch a playoff berth for the third time in four years by beating the Denver Broncos on Saturday at Mile High. The Bills can also win the AFC East for the first time since 1995 with a win and a Miami loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Perhaps the most compelling portion of the weekend is dedicated to Sunday, with Baltimore, Miami and Las Vegas all fighting for the No. 7 seed.
If the Dolphins win out, they’re in, but the schedule is tough. Miami plays New England before going on the road for Las Vegas and Buffalo over the final two weeks.
For the Ravens, they draw the listless Jacksonville Jaguars at home this weekend before welcoming in the New York Giants and finally traveling for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.
The Raiders are basically living on hope. They must win out, starting on Thursday night at home against the Chargers, and then continuing when they host the Dolphins and visit Denver to close the season. If Las Vegas and Baltimore end the season with the same record, the Raiders win the tiebreaker based on conference record.
