AFC: Going back to the NFL playoffs in 2014 if…

Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shake hands after the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Now that we’ve taken the time to preview the 20 teams in the league that failed to make the playoffs a year ago, it’s time to look at the heavy hitters.

Here, we will look at the AFC teams that qualified for the 2013 postseason tournament and what they need to do to get back in the running in 2014.

As we know, this is a league where it is quite difficult to reach the playoffs on a consistent basis. The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers currently own the longest active postseason streaks, having gone to the playoffs each of the last five seasons.

So will the field in the AFC look identical from a year ago? Stay tuned.

This is the 21st part of a 32-team series in which we’ll look at the “if, and & but’s” of each team’s chances to make the postseason.

NOTE: The order of teams is based on last year’s playoff seeding.

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