NFL playoff picture, Week 17: Chiefs-Bengals tops AFC

In the AFC, the NFL playoff picture is headlined by the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.

Going into Week 17 action, here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks on the AFC side of the bracket.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)
2. Tennessee Titans (10-5)
3. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)
5. Indianapolis Colts (9-6)
6. New England Patriots (9-6)
7. Miami Dolphins (8-7)
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8. Baltimore Ravens (8-7)
9. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)
10. Las Vegas Raiders (8-7)

There are a few terrific games to watch in the AFC, but the headliner takes place in the Queen City with theBengals hosting the Chiefs at 1 p.m. ET. Cincinnati can win the AFC North for the first time since 2015 with a victory, one it’ll need to earn against a Kansas City squad which has won the AFC West for a sixth straight year.

The Chiefs come in riding an NFL-best eight-game winning streak, one that has been extended most-recently with a 36-10 pounding of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kansas City can clinch the AFC’s top seed with a win over the Bengals, coupled by a loss of Tennessee.

Speaking of the Titans, they play another game worth watching for both sides. Tennessee hosts the Dolphins, who have gone from 1-7 to 8-7 and a playoff spot as we enter the day. Miami is trying to get into the postseason for the first time in the Brian Flores era and with two more wins, will do so. However, the Titans can clinch the AFC South for a second straight year with a victory and could move into the conference’s penthouse with a win and a Chiefs defeat.

Elsewhere, the Colts welcome in the Raiders. Las Vegas, like Miami, is trying to win out and make the playoffs. It won’t be easy, as the Raiders are still without star tight end Darren Waller. The biggest issue, though, is slowing down Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who is churning out yards at an MVP pace. If Indianapolis wins, it clinches a playoff berth after beginning the year at 1-4.

The Bills and Patriots should hold their respective spots in the AFC East with both having easy home games on paper. Buffalo has the Atlanta Falcons coming in, who although they’re 7-8, have one of the weakest defenses in the league. As for New England, it’s the 2-13 Jacksonville Jaguars coming to Foxboro, with rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence facing Bill Belichick.

As for the Ravens try to stay alive with a win over the streaking Los Angeles Rams, who get a depleted Baltimore squad. It will take a Herculean effort from John Harbaugh’s crew.

Finally, the Chargers welcome in the COVID-riddled Denver Broncos in what amounts to a must-win for Los Angeles.