Three AFC Teams Grab Title Wins, Others Wait for Week 17 to Determine Fate

It was a productive day on Sunday for the AFC as three teams earned division titles: the Denver Broncos, the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots. For other conference teams, their playoff pictures remain questionable.

Take a look at these Week 17 scenarios.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) stayed alive with a 38-31 win over the Green Bay Packers (7-7). They’ll end season against the Cleveland Browns (4-11) and need a win as well as losses by the 8-7 teams: the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins and the San Diego Chargers.

The Ravens suffered a 41-7 loss against the Patriots (11-4) and saw their desired division title dashed. They’ll play the Bengals on Sunday and hope for a win or a Dolphins (8-7) or Chargers (8-7) loss.

San Diego defeated the Oakland Raiders (4-11) 26-13 to keep their playoff hopes alive. In Week 17, they’ll need a win against the Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) and losses by the Dolphins and the Ravens.

The Dolphins have the most challenging path after losing 19-0 against the Buffalo Bills (6-9). They’ll need to defeat the New York Jets (7-8) and see a Ravens loss or a Chargers victory.

Peyton Manning

But back to Week 16. In addition to grabbing the AFC West division title and a first-round bye, it was a historic day for Broncos (12-4) quarterback Peyton Manning. He took back his league record for touchdown passes (51), surpassing the previous one (50) held by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady since 2007.

For the day, Manning passed for 400 yards with four touchdowns in the 37-13 win over the Houston Texans (2-13); three of the scores came in the fourth quarter. He suggested the record could again be broken, likely by Brady, but Manning said of the honor on Sunday via the Associated Press, “I think it’s a unique thing and a neat thing to be a part of NFL history, even though it may be temporary. So I’m going to enjoy it as long as it lasts, and hopefully the Hall of Fame will send the ball back once somebody throws for more.”

Manning previously held the record in 2004 with 49 touchdowns.

Also in Sunday’s game, Broncos linebacker Von Miller exited it with a knee injury in the first quarter and stayed out for the rest of the game. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Monday.

The Broncos will end their season against the Raiders and with a win and a Patriots loss, can clinch home-field advantage for the playoffs. Vegas sees another win for the Broncos (-13, 53.5 o/u) and 3/1 odds to win the 2014 Super Bowl.

For the Texans, Sunday’s loss extended their team-record losing steak to 13 games this season. After the game, defensive end J.J. Watt said of the team’s year via ESPN, “It’s been frustrating. It has been disappointing to say the least and it has been very forgettable. It is something that we never want to happen again, that is for sure.”

Matt Schaub

Quarterback Matt Schaub started on Sunday but most likely won’t see this role in 2014. For the game, he went 18 for 37, 176 yards, one score and two interceptions.

After this horrendous season, the Texans do have a silver lining: They have a chance to get the No. 1 overall 2014 draft pick. If the team undergoes its 14th consecutive loss on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (6-9), then they’ll get the coveted pick.

Should they win, which Vegas doesn’t see happening (-7, 44.5 o/u), the St. Louis Rams (7-8) are still in contention as they have the Washington Redskins’ first-round pick due to the 2012 trade of quarterback Robert Griffin III.

However, if the Redskins (3-12) lose on Sunday and the Texans get a win, then Washington could leap past Houston for the draft order due to a “strength of schedule tiebreaker” and then the Redskins’ pick to the Rams, would be the overall No. 1 selection.

The Redskins will play the New York Giants (6-9) and lose for an eighth straight time (-3.5, 45.5 o/u).