By Buck Coquillette
The playoff race is in full swing, and the AFC is packed this year. After week 14, six teams are 7-6, all with a shot at the playoffs. Reminder: there are 7 spots in the playoffs: The one seed gets a bye, and the other six teams must play in the wild-card round. Here is how it looks now with the team’s path to the playoffs. Each of these teams controls their destiny as of before week 15.
- Baltimore Ravens (10-3)
Standing: First in AFC North
Next game: At Jacksonville
The Ravens have been great this year. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been great with 2,934 passing yards, 644 rushing yards, and 16 touchdown passes with only 6 interceptions. Roquon Smith and Patrick Queen head up the defense with 136 and 108 tackles.
The Ravens statistically have a 99% of making the playoffs. They will clinch a playoff berth if they win this week against the Jaguars. From here on out, it is about maintaining the one seed to gain home-field advantage.
- Miami Dolphins (9-4)
Standing: First in AFC East
Next Game: vs Jets
This explosive team had a rough night this week against Will Levis and the now 5-8 Tennessee Titans. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill missed a significant portion of the game with an ankle injury before returning in the fourth quarter. Hill has been incredible this season, connecting with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for 1542 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Miami is second in the league for points per game with 31.6.
The Dolphins have a 97% chance of making the playoffs, however, they have a very tough remaining schedule including the Jets, Bills, Ravens, and Cowboys.
- Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
Standing: First in AFC West
Next Game: At Patriots
The Chiefs lost a tough one to the Bills last week in dramatic fashion with an offensive offsides penalty during a go-ahead play in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was surrounded by the drama as he commented on NFL officiating. Mahomes, one of the most talented QBs in the league, has a wide receiver problem as he has Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, and Marquez Valdes Scantling as his main targets. Star tight-end Travis Kelce is still Mahomes’s favorite target. L’Jarius Sneed, Chris Jones, and Justin Reid head up the Chief’s defense.
The Chiefs have a 94% chance to make the playoffs and a 13% of securing the first seed. Their remaining schedule includes the Patriots, Raiders, Bengals, and Chargers.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
Standing: First in AFC South
Next Game: Vs Ravens
The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a good year so far. Despite losing a close game last week to the Browns, the Jags still sit atop the AFC South. QB Trevor Lawrence has been good with 3,261 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions. Lawrence has offensive weapons including Travis Etienne Jr, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Calvin Ridley. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun and defensive end Josh Allen head up the defense.
The Jaguars have a 91% chance of making the playoffs and now look to maintain their status at the top of the AFC South. They play the Ravens, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Titans to close out their season.
- Cleveland Browns (8-5)
Standing: 2nd Afc North
Next Game: Vs Bears
The Cleveland Browns are still somehow very good. They have lost three great tackles, QB Deshaun Watson, and running back Nick Chubb. 38-year-old veteran Joe Flacco is their QB right now and they just beat the Jaguars. Myles Garrett leads this elite powerhouse defense.
The Browns have an 88% of making the playoffs and their schedule includes the Bears, Texans, Jets, and Bengals, which are all winnable games. Their goal will be to attempt to take over the Ravens in the AFC North, which would be a tough task.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
Standing: 3rd AFC North
Next Game: At Colts
Somehow, this Steelers team is in the playoff race. This team has a sketchy roster but has found ways to win games. QB Kenny Pickett has only 2,070 passing yards and 6 touchdowns while battling injuries. Pickett will not be active for this week’s game, Mitch Tribitsky will be starting. Najee Harris, George Pickens, and Dionte Johnson all have large roles in this offense. Superstar defensive end TJ Watt has singlehandedly carried this Pittsburgh defense with 52 tackles, 14 sacks, 14 TFLs, and 3 forced fumbles.
The Steelers play a critical matchup against the Colts this Saturday in Indianapolis. It will be a challenge without Kenny Pickett, and Watt is also questionable. However, this Indy team can be very inconsistent, so this Steelers team will need to expose those inconsistencies. They have a 30% chance of making the playoffs because of the packed AFC North division and their schedule with the Bengals, Seahawks, and Ravens remaining after Indy.
- Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
Standing: 2nd AFC
Next Game: vs Steelers
Nobody expected this Colts team to be this far, but here they are. While losing rookie QB Anthony Richardson to a season-ending shoulder injury, backup Gardner Minshew has stepped up. While it hasn’t been pretty at moments, Minshew has led this team to a 7-6 record, playing in every game so far (even while Richardson was playing because of other minor injuries) Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has had his best season yet, and while Jonathan Taylor is out, running back Zach Moss has stepped up at times this season. Linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive lineman Deforest Buckner, and nickel Kenny Moore II head up this defense, which has been inconsistent at times this year.
The Colts have a 52% chance of making the playoffs, and that percentage would drop drastically if they lose this week to the Steelers. To win, Gardner Minshew must protect the ball, as he has had turnover problems. Rookie tackle Blake Freeland will have to match up against TJ Watt as Braden Smith misses another game.
- Houston Texans (7-6)
Standing: 3rd AFC South
Next Game: vs Browns
CJ Stroud and the Texans have surpassed all expectations this year. Stroud has been dominant, as an almost guarantee for offensive rookie of the year. Stroud has 3,631 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes with only 5 interceptions. Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz are the main targets. Unfortunately, promising wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a season-ending injury. Stroud is currently in concussion protocol after leaving last week’s Jets game, so he is questionable at the moment.
The Texans have a 40% chance of making the playoffs. Their remaining schedule includes the Titans (twice), the Browns, and the Colts. If CJ Stroud doesn’t return, this could be a rough path for the Texans.
- Denver Broncos (7-6)
Standing: 2nd AFC West
Next Game: At Lions
The Broncos have recovered from a very slow start, including giving up 70 points to the Dolphins, and now have beaten the Cheifs and the Bills. Russell Wilson has looked much better and we have seen flashes of his Seattle days recently. He has 2,609 touchdowns, with 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. They are 13th in the league for points per game with 22.1. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy have been the main producers of this offense. Sutton has 10 touchdown receptions. On defense, Alex Singleton and Pat Surtain II have been great.
After starting 1-5, this team has bounced back and now has a shot at the playoffs, with a 48% chance. They face off against the very good 9-4 Lions this week. If they can pull out a victory, they have the Patriots, Chargers, and Raiders, which are all winnable games.
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
Standing: 4th AFC North
Next Game: Vs Vikings
The Bengals sit at the bottom of this stacked AFC North division. After losing QB Joe Burrow, Jake Browning has stepped up, winning an easy victory over Indianapolis last week. Browning has looked poised and talented so far. Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon are the main contributors to the offense.
The Bengals have a 30% chance of making the playoffs and face the Vikings, Steelers, Chiefs, and Browns. If they miraculously win these games, the Bengals will secure their spot.
- Buffalo Bills (7-6)
Standing: 2nd AFC East
Next Game: vs Cowboys
Josh Allen and the Bills still have a chance. Allen has 3,447 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. While Allen has struggled with turnovers, he is still an elite QB who will always be a threat. Stefon Diggs, James Cook, and Gabe Davis make up this offense.
The Bills have a 28% chance of making the playoffs, and if they can beat the Cowboys, they will have to face the Dolphins in Week 18 to secure a spot, which could be very challenging
Statistics credit: Playoffstatus.com
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